I’ve only owned a car for two years of my life, and that was about 7 years ago. I have no interest in owning a car again, but this is a great ad, and I’m glad to see Chrysler taking some pride in the Motor City. 

The “ruins porn” of old cities like Detroit was important for a time to help remind people of the history that was being lost in cities like Detroit and Buffalo, but now it’s time to start showcasing how these cities have been rebuilding over the past ten years. (Initial numbers from the American Communities Survey from 2005-2009 conducted by the Census shows that many districts in cities have been improving since the year 2000.)

People are moving back to these cities and reclaiming parts of our American cultural heritage, it isn’t everyone, but it is significant and it is making a difference.

Braddock, PA is a somewhat typical, small Rust Belt town where the industry has all left. But Braddock has been getting a lot of press over the past seven years or so because of Mayor John Fetterman and all the good work he’s doing there. There a tons of great interviews with him, so google him if you’re interested. 

I have a lot of respect for the work he’s doing, and this ad really connects with me and why I want to work on revitalizing these rust belt cities. They’re all opportunity. 

Hit someone at 40mph, 70% chance they’ll die.

Hit someone at 30mph, 80% chance they’ll live.

via: www.streetsblog.com

This is Part 1 of an excellent 4 part web documentary looking at the revitalization of Detroit, and looking past the negative news stories to point out the amazing things happening. And it’s a tour led by Johnny Knoxville. 

This makes me seriously homesick for Buffalo, NY.  Go check out the other 3 parts on the Palladium Boots website. And Palladium Boots, if you’re listening, you should go do an urban exploration of Buffalo next. It’s a fantastic city with great people, and a lot of the same revitalization is going on there too.

Leaving for London and Copenhagen so soon. I can’t wait to upload photos, videos, and impressions of Copenhagen. I’m also looking forward to comparing Copenhagen to London and Oxford.

Here’s another video on the pedestrian friendly planning of Copenhagen from the always wonderful Streets Blog.

I think it’s interesting that in this video they talk about how Copenhagen started to get a number of cars in the 60s and 70s and it wasn’t until recently that the city started to take back parking lots for public spaces. And at the time the businesses were fully against this change because they were afraid it would hinder people from coming downtown. I wonder if this were replicated in the US if it would hold true. NYC has had some success with this, but NYC is an anomaly in the US. Boston has had some success in the new parks created by the big dig, but those parks aren’t anywhere near as radical as what Copenhagen has done.

Time will tell I suppose. Photos from Europe coming soon.

via Streets Blog