Can Detroitisation reach Canada too?

[hitops]

Detroit was in trouble before the auto manufacturers collapsed. When the Big 3 were doing well in the 90s with the SUV boom, despite the increasing popularity of foreign-made cars, Detroit was already in the grave. The Race Riots at the end of the 60s led to massive flight from the city. Those who left were not only the white middle class, but also black people that were wealthy enough to get away from the violence. This left an impoverished underclass behind that could never afford to fund the city with their incomes/wealth. The suburbs flourished. Coleman Young became mayor in '73, if I remember correctly, and he was quite possibly one of the most corrupt municipal politicians in US history. Subsequent mayors weren't any better (Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted of some very serious offences). Police were in the mayors' back pockets and did little to nothing about crime, making Detroit one of the worst cities in the US. More people left as a result. A city of that size cannot run on the poor who were left behind to hold it up. Take a look at the median incomes in the city versus those in the surrounding municipalities. It's a stark contrast.

In short, these arguments that industrial collapse caused Detroit's problems are missing Detroit's biggest problem. The flight of a sustainable tax base to the suburbs and rampant crime. This all began well before the auto industry fell apart.

This is true, but perhaps also misses the underlying causes of why people flee. Decades of systematic policies that chase away people who produce and lead to a vicious cycle. These policies eventually produce poverty.

Several maps are available showing US cities that have declared bankruptcy. They are basically all in heavily democratic voting areas, with California hosting more than any other state. Yes, you can borrow and provide services on money you don't have and make things seem ok for awhile. No, this is not a long term sustainable strategy.

Edited April 7, 2014 by hitops

[-TSS-]

Does any state in the US have power to force municipalities to amalgamate? Not that any municipality next to Detroit would want to amalgamate with Detroit but as a theoretical question it is interesting to know.

[bush_cheney2004]

Consolidations and annexations of U.S. cities and/or unincorporated towns is usually approved by voter referendum at the city level. The county is the next legal jurisdiction before state government. There are also several other types of legal districts (e.g. tax, schools, water) that can include several cities without annexation.

[guyser]

Some of the clean up is underway and deals being hashed out to save the city.

Why ?

Its a horrible city, save the art, burn the city, its inhabitants dont care.

http://news.msn.com/us/detroit-makes-deal-with-retired-cops-firefighters

[Michael Hardner]

Does any state in the US have power to force municipalities to amalgamate? Not that any municipality next to Detroit would want to amalgamate with Detroit but as a theoretical question it is interesting to know.

I read this article awhile back, where Camden NJ was policed by another municipality. Seems similar to what you're asking.

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/apocalypse-new-jersey-a-dispatch-from-americas-most-desperate-town-20131211?print=true

[guyser]

The question that should have been asked, or worded differently was.....

Can Detroitisation reach into the suburbs in Canada

Its the burbs people are leaving, not the inner city.