Political elites and major economic development actors claim that Detroit is “coming back,” but they have rejected the former city of racial segregation and humiliation as a template for its reemergence. Instead, they are reimagining a new city, guided by three different templates: Detroit as a world‐class city, Detroit as a tourist destination, and Detroit as the vital center of a prosperous metropolitan area. Unfortunately, Detroit's circumstances and resources are inadequate to realize any of these visions. Furthermore, the expenditure of political capital and financial resources in pursuit of these visions is creating a city that will function mainly for visitors rather than residents.
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