This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
While much of the rest of the world undergoes an incredible surge in urbanization, certain cities in the U.S. continue to shrink in population, and thus geography. The leader of that pack, as it were, is Detroit.
This is nothing new, of course. Rome went from imperial capital to grazing land for shepherds and back again to become what is now the capital of modern Italy. Detroit may well rebound.
But, for the moment, Motor City faces the question of what to do with its roughly 70,000 dilapidated buildings—a number that grows each year—that need to be torn down and its approximately 100 square kilometers of already abandoned land. The answer may be to farm it, according to this video from PBS's Need to Know.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.
Obviously, this idea is in no way limited to Detroit. Urban farms are a growing interest even in cities that aren't shrinking, such as New York. But in a case like Detroit, urban farming may help to fill in sprawling gaps that otherwise present a host of challenges—from policing to property values. In fact, one of the proposed farms would be roughly half the size of New York's Central Park.
Made in Detroit might soon be replaced by Grown in Detroit.