This is What Downtown Looks Like When Your Employees All Live in the Suburbs

In bright reds and oranges, a map produced by Data Driven Detroit makes clear how much the city has suffered from decades of suburban flight. Nearly every block of downtown features substantial parking, including a stunning amount of surface lots.

1 minute read

August 16, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Thanks to the fine folks at Streetsblog for pointing us to Data Driven Detroit's stark map, which appeared on the satirical Facebook page Michigan Needs More Parking. "It shows downtown Detroit with parking highlighted in orange and red: garages in orange, surface lots in red," explains Angie Schmitt.

“We must do something about all of these non-parking blocks holding back Detroit,” Michigan Needs More Parking writes in their caption to the map. "The city is getting ready to decide whether to allow the demolition of a historic bank to make way for, you guessed it, more downtown parking," adds Schmitt.

Sadly, thanks to suburban flight and auto-centric planning and design, many cities across the U.S. could likely produce a similar-looking map. 

Wednesday, August 14, 2013 in DC.Streetsblog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog