Working Paper #581
How to Fix Detroit
Albert B. Ratner
Development United States Urban
This legendary developer advises that the once-great city of Detroit can and will make a comeback, with a little luck and a lot of forethought. He asks, Where is Detroit today? What does it aspire to be? And what steps can be taken to implement that dream? The city must find a new product to drive its growth; build more housing to attract population; build better schools to keep that population; and move colleges back into town, since education could be the city’s next great growth industry. By encouraging creativity from all ethnic and business leaders, the city can once again flourish.