Geographies of Urban Abandonment

Abandoned properties are a ubiquitous feature of post-industrial U.S. cities, markers of the 2008 housing crisis, and perennial sources of socio-political, economic, and environmental concern. In this course we will explore the complex processes that contribute to property abandonment, and the ways that city governments and grassroots organizations are conceptualizing urban vacancy as a ‘problem’ and an ‘opportunity.’ Combining critical perspectives such as Neil Smith’s The New Urban Frontier with films such as Requiem for Detroit? and The Garden, we will analyze representations and processes of urban abandonment. Students will engage in primary research to examine specific case studies.