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An excellent look at current proposals to revitalize Detroit, Michigan, the birthplace of the American automobile industry.
In effect Detroit is almost the most advanced case of the effects an automobile centric culture has on the urban fabric and social landscape. During the 1920’s and 1930’s Detroit was a thriving city of almost 2 million thanks to the automobile industry; today the population is less than half that. What was once a dense urban environment is now a virtual ghost town. It’s quite ironic to see what fueled its meteoric rise is ultimately leading to its demise.
However, Detroit’s situation highlights difficulties facing many cities and communities across the country. By relying solely on the automobile in lieu of diverse transportation options and lack of investment in infrastructure, Detroit's current predicament gives room for pause. This is most apparent as a Spanish Transportation Official describes the effect of a country’s infrastructure and how a lack of investment leads to,“a slow decline in importance and their weight in the world.” This is indeed, food for thought.
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