Revolution Detroit : strategies for urban reinvention

208 Pages·2013·473.991 MB·English

by  Gallagher, John

Regional interest | Urban studies
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“John Gallagher turns what could be a dry academic treatise into a vibrant page- o
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turner, a carefully constructed narrative that weaves the colorful stories of politicians,
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city planners, and ordinary people into identifying and solving the great challenges G
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presented by the global move from a manufacturing economy to one that is
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knowledge-based. A self-described optimist, John has drawn extensively on lessons a
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from other cities in the U.S. and Europe to lay out solutions that all can learn from, h
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wherever they live in the world.” —Randal Charlton, former director of TechTown, r
Detroit revolution
A
fter weathering decades of suburban sprawl, job loss, and lack of regional
government, Detroit has become a symbol of post-industrial distress and also
one of the most complex urban environments in the world. In Revolution Detroit:
Strategies for Urban Reinvention, John Gallagher argues that Detroit’s experience
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can offer valuable lessons to other cities that are, or will soon be, dealing with the
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same broken municipal model. It also looks at ideas for reinvention drawn from the
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recent history of other cities, including Cleveland, Flint, Richmond, Philadelphia, and
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Youngstown, as well as overseas cities, including Manchester and Leipzig.
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Strategies for Urban Reinvention
John Gallagher’s previous book Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an detroit
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American City was a i
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▶ 2010 ForeWord Book of the Year n
▶ 2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award Winner

▶ 2011 Michigan Notable Book D
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t
John Gallagher is a veteran journalist and author whose book
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Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City o
(Wayne State University Press, 2010) was named by the Huffington Post i
t
as among the best social and political books of 2010. He joined the
Detroit Free Press in 1987 to cover urban and economic redevelopment
efforts in Detroit and Michigan, a post he still holds. His other books
include Great Architecture of Michigan and, as co-author, AIA Detroit:
The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. John
and his wife, Sheu-Jane, live along Detroit’s east riverfront.
A Painted Turtle book
On cover: Clockwise from top to bottom: Bikers in the Tour deTroit pass the Michigan
Central Train Station; a filmmaker documents a farmstand at a community garden;
children at the highly regarded Baylor-Woodson Elementary School; part of the empty
forty square miles of Detroit. (Photos by John Gallagher)
Cover design by Maya Whelan
Wayne State University Press John Gallagher
Detroit, Michigan 48201-1309
Gallagher mech.indd 1 1/15/13 9:13 AM

REVOLUTION DETROIT

REVOLUTION DETROIT
Strategies for Urban Reinvention
John Gallagher
Detroit, Michigan
© 2013 by Wayne State University Press, Detroit, Michigan 48201. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced without formal permission. Manufactured in the
United States of America.
17 16 15 14 13 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gallagher, John, 1949–
Revolution Detroit : strategies for urban reinvention / John Gallagher.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8143-3871-1 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8143-3857-5 (ebook)
1. Urban renewal—Michigan—Detroit. 2. Detroit (Mich.)—Politics and government—
21st century. 3. Detroit (Mich.)—Social conditions—21st century. 4. Detroit (Mich.)—
Economic conditions—21st century. I. Title.
HT177.D4G353 2013
307.3’4160977434—dc23
2012030202
This book has been printed on 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper made
from wood grown in FSC-certified forests.
Designed by Brad Norr Design
Typeset by Maya Rhodes
Composed in Bell Centennial and Serifa
Parts of chapter 1, “Detroit Today,” appeared in somewhat different form in the author’s
introductory essay to the Detroit Revealed photography catalog produced by the Detroit
Institute of Arts.
To my wife, Sheu-Jane, and to my parents, Helen and John
Sweet are the uses of adversity.
—As You Like It
Contents
Preface ix
Introduction: Cities Today 1
1. Detroit Today 15
2. New Ways to Govern Our Cities 33
3. Schools, Plus a Word about Crime 79
4. Economics 93
5. New Uses for Urban Land 115
6. Learning from Europe 163
Conclusion: The Way Forward 179
Notes 181
Index 191