Talking Detroit in the new year

[I am happy to start this blog, which will be reflect on the work of unPlanned and the episodes we are creating.]

As we kick off 2021, I could not be more happy to begin the discussion with Ned Staebler of Wayne State University about the Motor City. He offers his insight into one of the most fascinating instances of urbanity in North America. Between its huge growth in the first half of the 20th century and then its near collapse in the second half, in so many ways, it represents all of America expansion and retreat over the course of the “American Century.” On a more personal note, I especially like the moment of the conversation where we discuss the Diego Rivera murals at the Detroit Institute of Art, a room Ned calls “the Sistine Chapel of industry.”