A recent auction house selling over 9000 homes and lots in the Detroit area, found few customers. Not even the chance to own a plot of land for an amazing minimal bid of US$ 500-, enticed investors, with over 75% of land plots remaining unsold.
Search property listings on eBay, and you find homes in Detroit lower than many properties in developing Countries. A sure sign that what once was a thriving, symbol of the American Century now looks like a symbol of a post-modern urban wasteland.
If the city of Detroit is dying, with the once great American automobile industry, then it is a valuable lesson in how cities have to diversify and plan for the future, rather than depend on one Industry.
Already parts of the city, are dotted with abandoned buildings, including many historic buildings- simply now left to decay. Others have fallen on hard times, the former Opera House, now is a budget Car park, whilst city high rises stand empty overlooking a gloomy, and desolate city center.
Detroit is not the only urban wasteland that has cheap properties; many areas in Germany are mini Detroit's. Russia has dying boarded up villages, and many inner city areas of the UK, have streets of extremely cheap properties that simply- no one wants.
Once the Industrial age slipped from many developed Countries, many Towns and areas of Cities simply died. Living testaments to the global shift of Industry to the East, and perhaps a sign of the future for any area, that fails to diversify.
If Cities like Detroit have a future, many cite perhaps the first time a city becomes an agricultural center. Vast empty land plots could be turned into agricultural use- a reverse trend as Industrialization dies, and reverts back to farming.
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