Urban decay
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Urban decay is a process in which a previously functioning city, or city area, falls into disrepair and disuse. Common indications of urban decay are abandoned buildings and empty plots, high unemployment levels, high crime rates, and an urban landscape that is generally decrepit and desolate.
Urban decay has become associated with western cities, particularly in North America and Europe, as well as certain areas associated with the former Soviet Russia. It tends to be a feature of major cities which despite maintaining high property values in the inner city and central business district (CBD), and a thriving suburban area, have peripheral slums on the outskirts.
In the UK, the phrase ‘urban decay’ is often associated with ‘sink estates’ in cities, but can also be applied to seaside resort towns such as Morecambe and Skegness which have experienced falling tourist rates with the rise of low-cost air travel. In France, it is often associated with the banlieues of Paris, Marseille and Lyon. In the US, the most famous example of urban decay is in Detroit, which was hit particularly hard by the collapse of the motor industry.
[edit] Socio-economic factors
There are many socio-economic factors that may lead to urban decay, including:
- Deindustrialisation, either by industry dying out or moving away.
- Depopulation or changing population, through ‘white flight’ (large-scale movement from urban areas to the suburbs).
- Restructuring of transport networks.
- Political disenfranchisement.
- Rent controls.
- Economic downturn and recession which may result in local businesses failing.
- Urban planning decisions.
- Prolonged riots and crime.
- Lack of new construction work or urban renewal projects.
- Environmental conditions, changes or disasters.
- Redlining (see below).
‘Redlining’ is the practice of directly or indirectly denying services such as banking, transport, health care or adequate shopping facilities, to the residents of certain areas. This became a particular problem in the United States during the 1970/80s, where black inner city neighbourhoods were often discriminated against by banks and other businesses who refused aid and did not invest in the area.
[edit] Urban blight
‘Urban blight’ refers to property that is in a state of decay and disrepair. A property can be said to be ‘blighted’ if:
- It is a public nuisance.
- It is fire-damaged or dangerous.
- It poses a severe and immediate health or safety threat.
- It is open to the elements and trespassing.
- It has had utilities and other services disconnected, removed or rendered ineffective.
NB: Property blight (sometimes referred to as 'planning blight' or 'blighted land') refers to the reduction in marketability and value of land as a result of a public sector decision, such as approval of a development that might result in the compulsory purchase of the land.
[edit] Blight removal
There are several steps that can be taken to tackle blight removal:
- Demolition.
- Property auctions.
- Nuisance abatement agreements.
- Partnering with groups and organisations in the community.
In September 2013, President Obama established the Detroit Blight Task Force to remove every blighted structure and clear every vacant lot in Detroit, Michigan, as quickly as possible using an environmentally-conscious approach.
The Blight Task Force defines neighbourhood blight as ‘all blighted residential structures, small commercial structures (less than 25,000 sq. ft lot size) and vacant lots’. There are 84,641 properties and lots in Detroit that meet this description, which includes around 40,000 unsalvageable buildings which will require demolition.
As of July 2016, an average of 75 vacant buildings had been demolished every week since 2014. The Task Force claim that they can remove all blight in five years or less, and estimate the total cost could approach $2 billion.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Adam Curtis - The Great British Housing Disaster.
- Ballymun mass housing and regeneration.
- British post-war mass housing.
- Brownfield land.
- Decay.
- Demolition.
- Densification.
- Empty dwelling management orders.
- Eyesore.
- Gentrification.
- Listed building.
- Property blight.
- Regeneration.
- Sink estate regeneration plans.
- Social housing.
- Structures at the end of their design life.
- Urban design.
- Urban sprawl.
- Urban Task Force.
Featured articles and news
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.