1 Halloum
Juju Halloum
Intro to Urban Studies
Angela Ugran
25 June 2024
How Detroit has streamlined its fight against blight
Detroit, with an adopted technology of smartphone apps and online crowdsourcing, has brought
its fight against blight into one that can transform a surplus of abandoned properties into livable
usable spaces. It has also created the largest land bank in the country. The city has decided upon
clearing itself of blight as one of the top priorities to spur economic development. Detroit's
efforts, however, have been aggressive, with millions of city money spent for demolition and
redevelopment purposes. Even with the largest municipal bankruptcy ruling in American history
handed down, Detroit's streamlined approach has made serious headway in the fight against
blight. Identification and tracking of blight through advanced technology, such as
crowdsourcing. Establishment of the largest land bank in the country to manage and redevelop
abandoned properties. It's interesting how Detroit has used smartphone apps and online
crowdsourcing to revamp blighted properties into livable spaces. What I find interesting is how
Detroit uses smartphone apps and online crowdsourcing as new ways to solve blight problems by
turning abandoned properties into livable acreage. This inventive mechanism is accompanied by
the creation of the largest land bank in the nation, featuring proactive decision-making for urban
development. But it has not only been the aggressive efforts of the city that have surprised me; it
has been intense monetary investments for demolition and redevelopment given the largest
municipal bankruptcy ruling in American history. The proactive stance toward embracing
advanced technology as a means to rejuvenate blighted properties testifies to the commitment to
wrestling with urban challenges and stimulating economic growth. The aggressive move of the
city, fitted with state-of-the-art technology, speaks of innovation and proactive decision-making
that could make a difference in urban development. It also exposed the dilemma regarding the
affordability of housing and the inhumane living conditions that ensue in the cage homes of
Hong Kong. Engaging was how videos directly relevant to the class on urban studies joined in
the discourses on real challenges in the metropolitan areas and stressful solution modalities or
policies to resolve such problems. The video connects directly to the course by underlining how
a city proactively deals with the issues of blight and abandonment. These are related to the role
of technology in new solutions for planning and development. This video underscores, through
the role of government, what initiatives need to be funded and prioritized to bring new life to
neighborhoods and stimulate economic growth.
2 Halloum
(Words:430)
Sources:
How Detroit has streamlined its fight against blight