OpenIDEO - How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? - Inspiration

The Challenge

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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline?

Inspiration 894 inspirations

Concepting 329 concepts

Applause 329 final concepts

Refinement 20 final concepts

Evaluation 20 final concepts

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Mission #1

Explore Vibrancy

Share your definition of what vibrancy looks like where you live. Find out more...

Mission #2

Share Stories

Tell us about the cities and communities you know are currently struggling or in the process of revitalising.

Mission #3

Get Active

Take some time to get active and explore your own community – then report back what you learned. Find out more...

Mission #4

Collect Insights

Interview someone living in a struggling city or region to learn more. Find out more...

Mission #5

Surprise Us

Got an Inspiration that doesn't fit the other Missions? Find out more...

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Mission #2 Share Stories

Changing Detroit's Image

Was talking to a friend the other day. He's a talented, socially conscious artist whose work's been honored with awards, and used by globally known brands & musicians. Anyways, he's come to a point where he's looking for something different.

He was considering paths ranging from solely focusing on his personal projects to joining the Peace Corp.

During the conversation, I brought up Detroit and the potential opportunities there, and was surprised at the certainty of his response: "No way! You crazy? It's too dangerous. There's nothing there."

Now this is someone who lives in a city that's experienced prolonged economic hardship, high unemployment, poverty issues, population loss, abandoned housing, political corruption, violent crimes, etc. When I drove off from his place at night, he recommended for my safety that I wait till I left the city before filling up on gas, though he's comfortable walking his dog there alone late at night. The area he moved into is actually trying to revitalize by attracting people like him. It also probably helped that he was previously living in a neighboring city, so friends & family are still relatively nearby.

What more can be done to change Detroit's image and provide opportunities that attract artists & creative innovators like my friend?

Mission #2 Share Stories

Comments

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Molly Norris

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December 01, 2011, 02:52PM

Cities have brands and Detroits is in need of a sustained rebranding effort. There is so much material to work to with, but a remake has to be grounded in authenticity or future and current residents and investors won't accept it. Detroit has a lot to drawn on: Motown, vintage cars, WWII's arsenal of democracy, etc. Using the past to look forward could provide a good basis for rebranding Detroit to restore faith in as a place for members of the creative class that help cities renew.

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Joaquin Samper

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November 26, 2011, 12:34AM

It is interesting to see how the notion of a better living will bring out "the best". even in the communities that are considered "the worst".
Detroit has a history, but it is much more of thriving, evolving and progress, than what we see in the short term.

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Anne-Laure Fayard

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November 23, 2011, 11:00PM

thanks Vincent for sharing this idea. I find interesting the tension between your friend's reaction to your suggestion about potential opportunities in Detroit and his decision to move there. A similar interesting tension btw his telling you to be careful but his walking his dog late at night.
May I ask why do you think he moved to Detroit? that might help understand these tensions. al

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Vincent Cheng's reply to Molly Norris's comment