4.4B Unsuccessful places

• Unsuccessful area example = Detroit
• Rust belt = region in North-Eastern and midwestern USA which has been experiencing economic decline since 1980
• Why Detroit became unsuccessful:

  • Suffered from deindustrialisation when ford, Chrysler and General Motors moved out for more efficient labour
  • Its population fell from 1.5Mn to 680,000 by 2015
  • now, 2/3 of Detroit's residents can't afford basic needs (food)
  • average house prices are around £40,000
  • average household income was $25,000 in 2015
  • Second highest murder rate of any US city
  • severe shortages in public sector workers
• Social consequences of Inequality:

  Reduced:

  • trust in people with power
  • social and civil partnerships
  • education and training
  • social mobility 


  increased:

  • segregation of different socio-economic groups
  • health issues
  • higher infant mortality rate and shorter longevity
• Why did the rust belt decline?

  • overseas companies (China) produced cheaper
  • mining companies have mechanised to cut costs
  • lower wage cost in southeastern Asia