Urban Paradox

There's a wonderful documentary that I recently watched called 'Reqium for Detroit' that should be required viewing for anyone interested in modern urban planning, the political and municipal factors around suburban and exurban sprawl, and the social dynamics of American urban culture. Detroit is unique in that the democratically elected municipal government is about to be replaced by a 'city manager' appointed by the Governer's office, elements of the city are deserted to the point that urban farms are being implemented in what were once prosperous neighbourhoods, money and jobs are flowing in thanks to the revitalization of the auto industry yet is being trapped in auto 'fiefdoms' carved out in the middle of the 20th century by major corporations, and the city itself is showing the effects of a dozen economic, social, cultural and racial trends played out to their end point.

It's both desolate and hopeful, sad and intriguing, injust and telling; very worth watching both as a cautionary tale and as a possible blueprint for a new way to approach urban centres for the 21st century.

http://documentaryheaven.com/requiem-for-detroit/