What does "urban decay" seek to express?
It suggests the many obstacles that must be overcome to revive an urban area that has fallen into severe disrepair.
One key is sustainability. Does an improvement project include promoting green spaces, improving public transportation, and fostering inclusivity? Who can hold such a high standard in the face of utter disintegration?
Another key issue is community engagement. To successfully renew urban areas, it is crucial to engage and involve local communities in the planning and decision-making processes. This includes consulting with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to understand their needs, aspirations, and concerns, and incorporating their feedback into any action plan. In the case of a "hollowing out" syndrome, can those tangential to the affected area be motivated to act?
Further, who will pay for most of it? Urban renewal often requires significant investment in infrastructure, housing, and amenities. Securing adequate funding from public and private sources can be a major challenge. Having clear regulations, policies, and guidelines that promote sustainable development, community engagement, affordable housing are some of the key aspects of urban renewal.
Due to the factors listed above, often recovery is like "putting "lipstick on a pig." In the face of a daunting challenge, a few cosmetic changes or feints are made and the underlying "causes" of urban decay go unaddressed. From urban to uninhabitable becomes the trajectory for a piece of god's good earth.
