Reading How to Kill A City has been very valuable, helping to provide historical context for Detroit, an in-depth exploration of gentrification, and the legacies of corporations and billionaire’s actions that persist in Detroit even now.
What has stood out to me is the intersection of government policies, private corporations, and individual developers who have contributed or exacerbated the issue of gentrification. It was shocking to me that, eventually, the 7.2 had become mostly controlled/owned by private corporations and nonprofits, so much so that the public sector has become virtually nonexistent in these areas (Moskowitz 96). While the public sector has obligations to the public in terms of setting up welfare systems and caring about issues that affect the population (whether they do fulfill those obligations is another matter), private corporations can simply focus on maximizing their profit without any repercussions. It is notable that Dan Gilbert has not only worked to purchase buildings, but also invested in creating a security force that jointly works with the police from the government and the university. These partnerships from wealthy individuals forms an entire system that rarely, if ever, benefit communities: increased policing (and only in a select area), the construction of apartment buildings with unaffordable rent for current residents, and creation of businesses that long time Detroit residents cannot access.
Learning about Jerome Robinson’s story was particularly striking (Moskowitz 77). His house was near a pharmacy, bank, library, etc., and the proximity of his house to these locations was crucial due to mobility issues. But he was pushed out of his own home due to developers. These corporations often suggest a narrative of “transforming” the city. The book highlights that it’s not the act of investing in these areas that may necessarily be bad, but rather that a significant portion of Detroit (everywhere not in the 7.2 section) grows increasingly neglected. When transformation occurs at the cost of long time Detroit residents and often predominantly black communities, who is really benefitting from this so-called “transformation”?
This book has urged me to consider how I approach setting up independent farmsteads in my work location, and I’ve recognized that, in working on this project, it’s important to put the community first and listen to their feedback/perspectives. There is gentrification even within the neighborhood of Brightmoor in terms of who is able to show up at the meetings and are more likely to have their thoughts heard. As I map out the areas of land, it’s crucial to avoid dividing the area further through pushing certain groups of residents out in trying to set up farms.
Hey Jessica! I had never really taken the time to think of the reason behind gentrification so I was also shocked to learn about how it’s due to all sorts of private corporations. I’m glad that the book is causing you to reflect on your personal work, as it made me do the same. On that note, I wish you luck on your project!