At least Detroit is starting the size discussion

The Detroit Free Press had a full-page article on right-sizing the city, something I've written about before. The reason for the story now is the new mayor (elected in May to serve out a term that is up for a vote in November) has started to publicly talk about the idea. There is also a primary for city council in two weeks which has an astonishing 167 people on the ballot for 9 seats. The Freep has given its endorsements to 15 people, encouraging replacement of 7 of the current dysfunctional 9 (well, 8, one just went to prison). What Mayor Bing is saying is that it is time to admit that though 60 years ago Detroit had about twice the population it does now, those people are not coming back. It is time for city planning to take that into account.

Experts are saying right-sizing is possible, though it may take 25-50 years to execute a plan. The biggest reason for the slow pace is money. Detroit has very little of it. But if it doesn't start the city will go bankrupt, with a tax base that can't pay expenses.

In amongst the details of how a plan might work (or at least how to get one started), are the reasons why the effort hasn't been made before now. (1) Detroit has been seriously crumbling for 20 years. Most of the time the city gov't is swamped with the problem of the day. (2) Any such plan will have backlash from residents who are told their neighborhood can't be sustained. Elected officials don't have the spine for backlash. (3) No matter the plan, executing it requires money. (4) The last development plan for the city (1992) counted on the city regaining much of its lost population.

I don't live in the city. However, I venture into it frequently to visit cultural institutions. Detroit has some top-notch gems in art, music, theater, and cinema. I want the area to succeed.

Here's a map of the city showing areas of health and urban prairie. It was created a couple years ago when a Freep journalist drove down every street in the city. The areas in red and green are top candidates for being developed into urban farming.