Renaissance in Detroit: A Discussion

Is Detroit Michigan Under a Renaissance?

Introduction: A Renaissance can be defined as a revival of learning, the arts, culture, politics and sciences. A Renaissance involves a rise into the modern world; a cultural rebirth of enlightenment and new discover. Detroit has experienced something of a Renaissance and the city's rebirth will be discussed in this paper.

Amy Lane writing in Crain's Detroit Business tells readers that Detroit Renaissance Incorporated was formed in 1970 by business leaders concerned with transforming the city's troubled past into a promising future. Detroit Renaissance Inc. is a private, non-profit organization which brings the business community's leadership and resources together to encourage and facilitate the physical and economic revitalization of Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Detroit Renaissance's Board of Directors is composed of chief executive officers of major Southeast Michigan corporations. Among the board members are the CEOs of the Big Three automobile manufacturers in addition to CEOs of related supplier companies, utilities and financial institutions. These comprise the largest membership block and contributors to the organization (Lane 3).

Mary Kramer writing in Crain's Detroit Business suggested in an article published in 2004 that next three years will be critical to Detroit's. She explains that there is currently a mini housing boom in the city.

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" 8). Between 2000 and 2003, building permits for single-family homes in Detroit tripled as people from the suburbs began to move into the city's historic districts and into Midtown loft conversions as a result of a phenomenon referred to as gentrification. Chris Hamnett writing in Urban Studies explains that gentrification refers to the physical, social, economic, and cultural phenomenon whereby working-class or inner-city neighborhoods are converted into more affluent middle-class communities. Initially, the gentrification process often involves renovating and remodelling existing buildings, resulting in increased property values with a concurrent displacement of the existing poor residents. Hamnett describes gentrification as a social and spatial manifestation of the transition from and industrial to a post-industrial economy based on occupational class structure. Gentrification is intertwined with change; not only do the buildings themselves, undergo renovation and beautification, but so too do the people. Neighborhoods often see an influx of highly educated, highly skilled, and highly paid residents along with an exodus of existing residents who are driven out by a variety of factors including higher rents, and higher
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Approximate Word count = 2103
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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