From slums to farms

Detroit is an ugly city. No two ways about it, it’s gone about as far down as it’s possible to go. Now, like after a winter, [spring has sprung](http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=03/12/07/9842990)  in inner-city Detroit. People are planting farms on vacant lots! The city is renewing itself, naturally. Someone went and hit “reset” and it’s reverted back to before the city was a city: people are growing their own food.

The quote from the alleged city planner was a bit shocking though:

The chief city planner, George Dunbar of the Planning and Development Department, was surprised to learn that some farmers had claimed plots as large as an acre.

“Outstanding,” he said. “If that’s the case, then I commend the individuals who do that, but I tell you, if we advertise the property and it’s city-owned land that we can get a housing development on, then I’ll take that. I am always trying to increase the tax rolls to keep city services going.”

Firstly, he was “surprised” at a movement that’s been going on long enough, and is well enough known to warrant an article in the paper. What kind of city planner doesn’t know what his own city is doing? How can he effectively plan anything if he’s lost touch with reality in such a dramatic way?

Secondly, after giving kudos to the people who are farming, he says he’ll tear it all up for housing at the drop of a hat if the situation presents itself. At this stage in Detroit’s reflowering, tearing up new farms for housing is not sustainable development. Who will want to live in those new houses? What will they eat? How will putting up a bunch of houses make a neighbourhood liveable? How will they make a neighbourhood, full stop?

This city planner should be sacked immediately, and replaced by someone who actually knows what their own city is up to. Someone who can help guide those trends and help the re-growth of the city – starting with alfalfa and corn.