| AIA Public Policy Statement 45 |
AIA Public Policy Statement Number 45
Public Policy Statement Number 45 currently endorses the use of eminent domain to take property which will be subsequently deeded to private interests for re-development. Anyone familiar with the GM Poletown story and the long term economic and social devastation it foisted on the urban fabric in the City of Detroit understands that public officials are far to easily swayed on these sorts of issues. Since they are subject to the pressures attendant with seeking re-election, their views are necessarily short term in nature and as a consequence they prove to be poor stewards of the long term urban environment.
Indeed, seeking what was erroneously believed to be short term gain, elected officials in Detroit and Michigan sacrificed one of the last remaining integrated, functioning, and sustainable neighborhoods in an effort to claim the creation of a few 19th century style manufacturing jobs. 30 years later, that promise is gone, the officials are gone, the neighborhood is gone, yet the social and economic consequences reverberate loudly and the devastation remains.
Please review the narrated PowerPoint you can download at http://www.butters-law.com/Public_Policy_Statement_45.pptx (once downloaded start the slideshow from the beginning and follow it through). I am confident that when you do, you will realize that the statement is flawed and that is must be changed to delete the endorsement of the use of eminent domain to acquire property for subsequent private re-use. Urban planning decisions should not be influenced by financial pressure. Politicians subject to those pressures should not be in a position to effect long term planning decisions, and AIA policy can not in good conscience endorse the ultimate effects that sort of thinking inevitably has wrought.
Use of eminent domain in this manner is indefensible from any standpoint. We can't stop it of course, but when it occurs it must not be endorsed by AIA policy on any level. We say design matters. We say people matter. We say social justice matters. We say the urban fabric matters. Are those just words? If not, then join with us here in Michigan to reject the failed policies and the devastation they create.
Set Public Policy Statement 45 right for the future.
Thank you
|
|