Detroit City Page

Detroit’s motto, which translates to “We hope for better things; it shall rise from the ashes,” may be as true today as it was when it was adopted in 1805 after fires left the city in ruin. Detroit did rise from the ashes, as it became synonymous with the American automotive Industry. Perhaps, though, the city was plagued by this early stardom and success. Now, as the automotive industry struggles to stay on its feet, so too does its birthplace. While in the midst of major turmoil, some Detroiters remain positive, dreaming of a future supported by cutting-edge technology and alternative energy development.

Once the fourth-largest city in the country with 1.8 million people, Detroit has struggled to maintain population since the suburban flight that, beginning in the 1950s, drew nearly a million residents out of the city by 1980. Today it has a vacancy rate twice that of the country. One-third of the remaining 900,000 live below the poverty level, a line that also reveals racial disparities. In 2000, the Detroit region ranked the second-most segregated metro in the country. In 2007, African-American per capita income amounted to just 57 percent that of whites, and in 2006, the infant mortality rate of African Americans in Detroit was nearly three times that of the white population.

Hoping for a more positive future, some see potential in making Detroit a center of alternative energy research and development. Others hope that educational and medical institutions established before the city’s decline might boost the city. Local activism groups such as the Detroit Declaration are rallying residents around progressive goals and political candidates. While these hopes unfold, the municipal government, headed by Mayor Dave Bing, is taking immediate steps to curb blight and reduce crime through the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, which will, in part, demolish 3,000 of the city’s unsafe residential structures in 2010 alone.

Bottom line: It remains unclear just how much of Detroit will have to be knocked down before the city can get back on its feet.

—Christine Fisher
Photograph by Flickr user paul (dex)

http://americancity.org/cities/detroit/

City Profile: Austin, TX

http://americancity.org/cities/austin/

In the yearbook of American cities, Austin, Texas takes home nearly all the superlatives. The city ranked #1 best city for the next decade, in a Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine report, and holds a handful of other top rankings in innovation, intelligence, friendliness, fitness and environmentalism. Ranked 5th safest and ironically 5th drunkest, Austin has the 5th most attractive population (something the safe, drunk people must appreciate).

The self-proclaimed “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin boasts over 1700 live music venues and is home to the musical festivals Austin City Limits and South By Southwest (SXSW) as well as the Austin Film Festival. In 2009, SXSW generated $99 million for the city. “Keep Austin Weird,” has become the city’s unofficial slogan and attempt to maintain this creative economy by supporting “Austinite’s” creative flare and local businesses.

Large corporations like Dell and Whole Foods, both headquartered in the metro area, also boost the city’s economy. Additionally, Apple, Inc., IBM, Intel and Facebook have operations in Austin. Austin’s businesses are supported by fresh minds, cutting edge technology and innovation, which the city’s institutes of higher education, most notably the University of Texas, Austin, foster.

Austin seems to know it is in the spotlight as an increasingly up and coming city. In 2008 the city began redeveloping itsComprehensive Plan, which by late 2010 will outline goals for future development, environment, business and social services. Other major planning departments are focusing on transit oriented, downtown and mixed-use development.

Bottom line: Austin, once defined as an eccentric, offbeat community, is growing into a hub of art and commerce as well as socially and environmentally friendly development.

Photo by BruceTurner via Flickr.