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RE: Decentralizing Detroit : From Grid to Off-Grid
Are the pattern's of Detroit's depopulation similar to what we will see as post-industrialized countries go through demographic transition? i.e. as birthrates drop, will other parts of the country face similar problems shown here? If so, what lessons if any can Detroit teach us about how urban planning can mitigate negative impacts of population drops?
Sure, lower population is probably exactly what our planet needs in the long run, but in the short run it's bound to make things very difficult for bloated development? Does that assessment seem right? Example articles below:
- Europe needs many more babies to avert a population disaster
- Make America Mate Again - A slowing birthrate and restricted immigration could slow the economy
I mean, these also just highlight one aspect of how absurd and self-destructive isolationist/nationalistic policies are, but that's another topic
Yes you could argue that it's a similar pattern, but Detroit was extremely reliant on a single source economy, the automotive industry. In terms of lessons learned, I think every city needs a diverse portfolio of both economy and infrastructure.
For the Detroit example, rainwater infrastructure. Huge rains have plagued Detroit in recent years because their sewer system is no longer being maintained at a comprehensive city-scale. You have patches of the sewer that function well, but even just a minor broken pipe (underneath an abandoned block) can clog the whole system. and cause unbelievable damage.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/08/12/record-breaking-rain-floods-detroit-metro-shuts-down-interstates/?utm_term=.ae82b3171129
To combat this new normal, a city needs a diverse range of waste water networks - large and small. Abandoned plots of land (at lower elevations) can be converted to bioswales. Permeable paving for parking lots (Detroit has a HUGE amount of impermeable paved surfaces.)
As for the babies, well that might be a whole other topic... I guess overall, residents (of all cities) need to think holistically about the diverse systems that make their community healthy and successful.