Living Detroit: Environmental Activism in an Age of Urban Crisis

In postwar Detroit, environmentalism responded to anxieties over urban crisis, deindustrialization, and the fate of the city. The book explores how Detroiters pushed back against these forces to conserve their neighborhoods and create a more livable city, highlighting the relationship between environmental activism and the urban crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the aftermath of World War II, Detroit, Michigan, faced significant challenges. The city had been a hub of industrial activity, but the war had led to a decline in manufacturing jobs and a shift towards service-based industries. This deindustrialization process caused economic hardship and social unrest among Detroiters. At the same time, the city was experiencing population loss and physical decay, with many neighborhoods abandoned and in disrepair.

Against this backdrop, environmentalism emerged as a response to the urban crisis and deindustrialization. Brandon M. Ward argues that environmentalism in postwar Detroit was driven by the desire of Detroiters to improve their quality of life and protect their neighborhoods from the negative impacts of industrialization.

The diverse stories of environmental activism and politics in Detroit are tied together by a shared assumption that environmental activism could improve the quality of life for Detroiters. This assumption was rooted in the belief that the natural environment was essential to human well-being and that it was necessary to protect it from the harmful effects of industrialization.

One of the key figures in the environmental movement in Detroit was the late Senator Gaylord Nelson, who played a significant role in the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970. Nelson was a champion of environmental protection and worked tirelessly to promote clean air and water standards in the city. He also led efforts to protect the Detroit River and the surrounding natural areas from pollution and development.

Another important aspect of environmental activism in Detroit was the involvement of community organizations and grassroots movements. These organizations worked to raise awareness about environmental issues and to advocate for policies that would protect the environment and promote sustainable development. For example, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy was founded in 1989 to protect and restore the Detroit River and its surrounding parks and natural areas.

Despite these efforts, environmentalism in Detroit faced significant challenges. The city was heavily dependent on the auto industry, and the decline of the industry in the 1970s and 1980s led to job losses and economic hardship. This, in turn, contributed to the physical decay of many neighborhoods and the loss of community cohesion.

Despite these challenges, environmentalism in Detroit continued to grow and evolve. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in sustainable development and green infrastructure in the city. This has led to the development of new parks, green spaces, and renewable energy projects, as well as the promotion of sustainable transportation options such as biking and walking.

In conclusion, environmentalism in postwar Detroit was driven by the desire of Detroiters to improve their quality of life and protect their neighborhoods from the negative impacts of industrialization. The diverse stories of environmental activism and politics in Detroit are tied together by a shared assumption that environmental activism could improve the quality of life for Detroiters. While the city faced significant challenges, environmentalism continued to grow and evolve, and there is hope for a more sustainable and livable future in Detroit.

In the aftermath of World War II, Detroit, Michigan, faced significant challenges. The city had been a hub of industrial activity, but the war had led to a decline in manufacturing jobs and a shift towards service-based industries. This deindustrialization process caused economic hardship and social unrest among Detroiters. At the same time, the city was experiencing population loss and physical decay, with many neighborhoods abandoned and in disrepair.

Against this backdrop, environmentalism emerged as a response to the urban crisis and deindustrialization. Brandon M. Ward argues that environmentalism in postwar Detroit was driven by the desire of Detroiters to improve their quality of life and protect their neighborhoods from the negative impacts of industrialization.

The diverse stories of environmental activism and politics in Detroit are tied together by a shared assumption that environmental activism could improve the quality of life for Detroiters. This assumption was rooted in the belief that the natural environment was essential to human well-being and that it was necessary to protect it from the harmful effects of industrialization.

One of the key figures in the environmental movement in Detroit was the late Senator Gaylord Nelson, who played a significant role in the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970. Nelson was a champion of environmental protection and worked tirelessly to promote clean air and water standards in the city. He also led efforts to protect the Detroit River and the surrounding natural areas from pollution and development.

Another important aspect of environmental activism in Detroit was the involvement of community organizations and grassroots movements. These organizations worked to raise awareness about environmental issues and to advocate for policies that would protect the environment and promote sustainable development. For example, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy was founded in 1989 to protect and restore the Detroit River and its surrounding parks and natural areas.

Despite these efforts, environmentalism in Detroit faced significant challenges. The city was heavily dependent on the auto industry, and the decline of the industry in the 1970s and 1980s led to job losses and economic hardship. This, in turn, contributed to the physical decay of many neighborhoods and the loss of community cohesion.

Despite these challenges, environmentalism in Detroit continued to grow and evolve. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in sustainable development and green infrastructure in the city. This has led to the development of new parks, green spaces, and renewable energy projects, as well as the promotion of sustainable transportation options such as biking and walking.

In conclusion, environmentalism in postwar Detroit was driven by the desire of Detroiters to improve their quality of life and protect their neighborhoods from the negative impacts of industrialization. The diverse stories of environmental activism and politics in Detroit are tied together by a shared assumption that environmental activism could improve the quality of life for Detroiters. While the city faced significant challenges, environmentalism continued to grow and evolve, and there is hope for a more sustainable and livable future in Detroit.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367334420