Detroit Works Project
When looking at how to tackle the multitude of issues in Detroit, it is important to pick a starting point and go from there, because so many areas need attention. To start, there is a huge issue involving the vacancy of public and private land within the city. Whole entire neighborhoods lie abandoned after the Great Recession. To tackle this problem, the mayor commissioned a special project to come up with a plan for the future of Detroit. Dubbed the Detroit Works Project, the plan was developed through the cooperation and discussion between people of power throughout the city and beyond. To tackle the housing situation the plan calls for an ambitious transformation of the land. Because the population is expected not to rise to previous numbers any time soon, the focus became how to maximize effectiveness of the city for those still there.
Land Use
One of the major steps would be retrofitting vacant land to create green industry and food production capabilities within rural sections of the inner city. The vision calls for rural capabilities within the metropolitan area that will serve as resource and beautification points, buffering the residential and commercial zones from dirty industrial production. In addition to the green revolution, the plan calls for the creation of multi-use, walkable neighborhoods in addition to the maintenance of low density single family areas. The central idea with this plan is to create a place for every kind of person within the city, to centralize the population and push people in, rather than outward.
The plan calls for a comprehensive and cohesive plan involving more than just the government’s participation. The land use policies will be reevaluated every five years to strategize and target more specifically, areas of high vacancy. The large amount of vacant land offers opportunities for research partnerships as well as public space for recreation. Diverse and productive neighborhoods with a focus on affordability and nearby support services are envisioned with an emphasis on creating job growth through strategic planning, with the end goal of a stronger tax base. In addition, a clear necessity for rezoning and enhanced regulations exists if the city is going to maintain control of the plan for years to come.
Housing/Infrastructure/Construction
To accomplish its housing transformation goals, the city plans on taking many steps to ensure that money flows through many hands. Relaxing business regulations for start ups and small businesses will spur job growth on a local level. The procurement of funds from charitable sources and the regulation of the spending of such funds will ensure that programs get paid for. High taxes have been a detriment to Detroit for years, but only because of poor service availability. If the services improve, so should the population.
Massive construction operations should occur to revamp the landscape and to provide long term construction work opportunities for white collar citizens. A prolonged plan for restructuring could provide many jobs for the currently unemployed, and as the construction occurs the idea is that more natural jobs will start to be produced. When construction is over, the city should have a self-sufficient economy, at least that is the idea. The aim is for high industrial production, and smart investment to spur long term success.
Neighborhoods and Transportation
Tantamount to the success of any of these programs is the stabilization of neighborhoods. Stabilization means that work can begin on transport services as well as allocation of other funds and services. If neighborhoods are stable, the government can work to foster community building operations, as well as enhanced educational opportunities that take advantage of the mixed-use environment.
The next step after constructing the framework of the land, would be the creation or retrofitting of an efficient public transportation corridor. The plan recognizes the need for basic support services being located in each sector. The aim is also to build the transport around the areas with sustainable density. The landscape would be of immense focus in providing increased opportunities to low income families with minimal access to services. If the landscapes work, the planners feel that the rest will fall into place. New forms of transportation should be explored, but the most efficient and appropriate types should be chosen.
Communication Network
In addition to transportation, the communication network needs to be improved. Ensuring access to fast internet connections would enable citizens of all levels access to the infinite opportunities that connecting to the world has to offer. In addition, a large network provides opportunities for citywide monitoring systems, as well as warning systems for enhanced safety at low cost. This innovation would allow the production of smarter infrastructure technology that would allow for an intelligent grid. Water and energy consumption could be monitored centrally, decreasing the need for thousands of meters citywide.
Energy Efficiency
To increase efficiency as far as energy is concerned; the lighting network needs to be retrofitted. Bulbs are to be replaced with high efficiency technology. Also, the availability of land should allow for solar production to occur throughout the city, reducing dependence on power plants. The goal also includes outsourcing the lighting for the city to private sector groups that can offer competitive pricing to save the city money. The city’s waste removal is also on the docket for reevaluation, with emphasis on recycling and clean air. Packaging companies are to blame for a large quantity of the current plastic waste production, and it is important that the city take an extremely active stand when promoting greener behavior.
Looking Forward
By 2030 the city of Detroit hopes to have regained its footing as one of the premier industrial cities in America. In addition to having sustained job growth, the city aims to have innovations across the public sector. Things like water, waste management, and energy production should all be cutting edge and high efficiency to promote the same type of behavior in the private sector. Air quality, green production and pollution are set to all be improved by this date. In addition, population stabilization and reduced unemployment are major goals. The creation of a sound infrastructure should allow neighborhoods to be desirable places to live, regardless of income level. By 2050 the city sees itself back at the top with higher than average opportunities for minorities and as a green city model.
Business Opportunity
In terms of opportunity, Detroit is full of thousands of possible novel solutions. The situation should be looked at by outsiders as a ripe and fruitful place to invest. Any number of innovations can be introduced and implemented in the city, because if it does not work, it can be replaced with relatively low impact. It is also a place where minorities have had their strongest hold on power, perhaps ever, in America. At least for a city not in the South, Detroit now boasts the highest rate of black business ownership in the nation. The existence of multiple professional sport teams and the continued residence of the motor industry all point to the likelihood of a prosperous future for Detroit. However, key leadership roles must be filled by knowledgeable and capable people who are not afraid to regulate with a swift and heavy hand.
Land Use
One of the major steps would be retrofitting vacant land to create green industry and food production capabilities within rural sections of the inner city. The vision calls for rural capabilities within the metropolitan area that will serve as resource and beautification points, buffering the residential and commercial zones from dirty industrial production. In addition to the green revolution, the plan calls for the creation of multi-use, walkable neighborhoods in addition to the maintenance of low density single family areas. The central idea with this plan is to create a place for every kind of person within the city, to centralize the population and push people in, rather than outward.
The plan calls for a comprehensive and cohesive plan involving more than just the government’s participation. The land use policies will be reevaluated every five years to strategize and target more specifically, areas of high vacancy. The large amount of vacant land offers opportunities for research partnerships as well as public space for recreation. Diverse and productive neighborhoods with a focus on affordability and nearby support services are envisioned with an emphasis on creating job growth through strategic planning, with the end goal of a stronger tax base. In addition, a clear necessity for rezoning and enhanced regulations exists if the city is going to maintain control of the plan for years to come.
Housing/Infrastructure/Construction
To accomplish its housing transformation goals, the city plans on taking many steps to ensure that money flows through many hands. Relaxing business regulations for start ups and small businesses will spur job growth on a local level. The procurement of funds from charitable sources and the regulation of the spending of such funds will ensure that programs get paid for. High taxes have been a detriment to Detroit for years, but only because of poor service availability. If the services improve, so should the population.
Massive construction operations should occur to revamp the landscape and to provide long term construction work opportunities for white collar citizens. A prolonged plan for restructuring could provide many jobs for the currently unemployed, and as the construction occurs the idea is that more natural jobs will start to be produced. When construction is over, the city should have a self-sufficient economy, at least that is the idea. The aim is for high industrial production, and smart investment to spur long term success.
Neighborhoods and Transportation
Tantamount to the success of any of these programs is the stabilization of neighborhoods. Stabilization means that work can begin on transport services as well as allocation of other funds and services. If neighborhoods are stable, the government can work to foster community building operations, as well as enhanced educational opportunities that take advantage of the mixed-use environment.
The next step after constructing the framework of the land, would be the creation or retrofitting of an efficient public transportation corridor. The plan recognizes the need for basic support services being located in each sector. The aim is also to build the transport around the areas with sustainable density. The landscape would be of immense focus in providing increased opportunities to low income families with minimal access to services. If the landscapes work, the planners feel that the rest will fall into place. New forms of transportation should be explored, but the most efficient and appropriate types should be chosen.
Communication Network
In addition to transportation, the communication network needs to be improved. Ensuring access to fast internet connections would enable citizens of all levels access to the infinite opportunities that connecting to the world has to offer. In addition, a large network provides opportunities for citywide monitoring systems, as well as warning systems for enhanced safety at low cost. This innovation would allow the production of smarter infrastructure technology that would allow for an intelligent grid. Water and energy consumption could be monitored centrally, decreasing the need for thousands of meters citywide.
Energy Efficiency
To increase efficiency as far as energy is concerned; the lighting network needs to be retrofitted. Bulbs are to be replaced with high efficiency technology. Also, the availability of land should allow for solar production to occur throughout the city, reducing dependence on power plants. The goal also includes outsourcing the lighting for the city to private sector groups that can offer competitive pricing to save the city money. The city’s waste removal is also on the docket for reevaluation, with emphasis on recycling and clean air. Packaging companies are to blame for a large quantity of the current plastic waste production, and it is important that the city take an extremely active stand when promoting greener behavior.
Looking Forward
By 2030 the city of Detroit hopes to have regained its footing as one of the premier industrial cities in America. In addition to having sustained job growth, the city aims to have innovations across the public sector. Things like water, waste management, and energy production should all be cutting edge and high efficiency to promote the same type of behavior in the private sector. Air quality, green production and pollution are set to all be improved by this date. In addition, population stabilization and reduced unemployment are major goals. The creation of a sound infrastructure should allow neighborhoods to be desirable places to live, regardless of income level. By 2050 the city sees itself back at the top with higher than average opportunities for minorities and as a green city model.
Business Opportunity
In terms of opportunity, Detroit is full of thousands of possible novel solutions. The situation should be looked at by outsiders as a ripe and fruitful place to invest. Any number of innovations can be introduced and implemented in the city, because if it does not work, it can be replaced with relatively low impact. It is also a place where minorities have had their strongest hold on power, perhaps ever, in America. At least for a city not in the South, Detroit now boasts the highest rate of black business ownership in the nation. The existence of multiple professional sport teams and the continued residence of the motor industry all point to the likelihood of a prosperous future for Detroit. However, key leadership roles must be filled by knowledgeable and capable people who are not afraid to regulate with a swift and heavy hand.