Aerotropolis Rural Urbanization

Abstract

Abstract: Ur-ban [ur-buh n] adjective 1. Of, pertaining to, or designating a city or town. 2. Living in a city. 3. Characteristic of or accustomed to cities; citified: He is an urban type. Ru-ral [roo r-uh] adjective 1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic: rural tranquility. 2. Living in the country: the rural population. 3. Of or pertaining to agriculture: rural economy. noun 4. A person who lives in a rural area.

Rural land is being taken away from current users in communities to formalize new uses and purposes. Large vacant lands that surround airports are being looked at in new ways, and there is debate how to develop them for a new purpose. “Aerotropolis” is the development of new urban cities around airports. John Kasarda created the concept and looks at how airports are going to shape the economic zones and urban development of the 21st century as expressways did in the 20th century, railroads did in the 19th century, and seaports did in the 18th century. (Thorbeck, Dewey) (Meinig, Donald M.) Aerotropolis development is for new users: the commuters and the business men and women traveling for work. Aerotropolis allows the commuter to experience the cities during a layover. It, however, is not for the current community who utilizes the land or developments for their purposes. It forgets the woods and farmland where wildlife live, replacing them with green spaces. (Kasarda, John) This thesis takes a look at the aerotropolis plan for the Detroit Metro Airport and how the plan will affect the current area. The current site has an abandoned horse race track on it and is set up for future development. The plan was abandoned after the race track shut down after almost 3 years of success. It had poor management, and race tracks only succeed when they have been implemented for years. The community in Huron Township and other adjacent communities and users were not enough to keep it going. A successful track needs people who are knowledgeable in placing bets and willing to do so with large sums of money. Some places even have training sessions to help people learn the game and navigate the system. Without the financial capacity or experience, people are less likely to spend money needed to support the track. (Kasarda, John) The current community does have an equestrian lifestyle. The current high school, Huron High, is 2 miles from the track, and it has an equestrian team. The team has no facilities to train their horses, no boarding areas, and no place to perform. Many residents have small tracks to train horses, as well as boarding for those who do not have the facilities to board their own horse. This thesis paper looks at how the site can be developed for new users and the current community, and how it can entertain the commuter with Olympic Equestrian events in an equestrian community. Huron Township’s downtown area lacks infrastructure. Community outreach for resources could allow for amenities.