America's most underrated region: The Rust Belt

Have you ever thought about the Rust Belt beyond the haunting images of abandoned factories and urban decay? Join me on a journey as we redefine the narrative surrounding cities like Cleveland and Detroit.
In this video, I challenge the conventional perception and shed light on the untapped potential, renaissance, and a brighter tomorrow that lies within the post-industrial Midwest.
Topics Covered:
Understanding the Rust Belt: From Upstate New York to the heart of the Midwest, unraveling the geographical and historical dimensions.
Redefining Rust Belt Cities: It's not just about Cleveland and Detroit; delve into the broader spectrum that includes St Louis, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
What to Expect:
Insightful analysis on why Rust Belt cities thrived in the past and the factors contributing to their decline since the 1950s.
Unveiling the untold stories of resilience, innovation, and community efforts that hint at a resurgence in these once-booming industrial centers.
🌐 Join the Conversation:
Have your say in the comments! Share your thoughts on the Rust Belt, its challenges, and the potential you see for its future. Let's reshape the narrative together!
Follow for more explorations into unique landscapes and stories. Subscribe, like, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our journey through the Rust Belt and beyond!
#RustBelt #UrbanExploration #Renewal #MidwestRevival #CityResilience #ExploreWithMe 🚀

[@legoboy468]

If most of these cities just rebuilt the trolley networks they had in the early 1900’s, invested in renovating old disused housing and built new mid density housing they’d all be places people would be flocking to to live. People like San francisco because it kept its trolleys and many of its walkable neighbors. They like Boston for the same reason. I would love to see a newly revitalized Cleveland or Baltimore or Albany with a similar vibe and I really think that’s possible in the coming decades, especially with climate change pushing people out of the Sun belt. As you say, our cities have good bones, we just have to rebuild the body around them.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

I wholeheartedly agree, that's what I keep trying to get North American urbanists to realize. We just need our trolley networks back. As much as I don't like how he talks crap on us, I hope the New 'Not Just Bikes' video (bout Montreal) will help those that push for bike lanes or grade seperated rail first realize the trolley's are the best first step in fixing the damage cars have done. 👏

[@twilightcitystudios]

Chicago had such large system of streetcars at one point. It's frustrating to know we had that and decided to get rid of them.

[@user-hm1zb8js5i]

Building trolleys is not gonna bring people back to the region. You need to bring the jobs back and get rid of the crime first.

[@stardragon5849]

Me as a Milwaukee native, it just makes me smile about this video and rust belt in general. Something about the culture of Rust Belt region is just feels like home to me: the abandon factories, old historic buildings and mixed used homes & economy.

[@jhodapp]

I grew up in Milwaukee and have such a soft spot in my heart for it. I really wish Milwaukee would tear down the downtown highway interchange, it does such damage to such a wonderful place.

[@apirus4279]

as someone from pittsburgh, i see effects of the rust belt literally everywhere. This is such a beautiful city yall

[@TheDCShow0]

yea pittsburgh is absolutely gorgeous

[@jonathanstensberg]

The real real challenge is the smaller cities that dot the Midwest. Places like Altoona, Johnstown, Erie, Youngstown, Canton, Flint, Saginaw, Lansing, Pontiac, Jackson, South Bend, Gary, Terre Haute, Decatur, Peoria, Rockford, etc, continue to struggle much more than their big city counterparts. Even places like Toledo, Dayton, and Akron are struggling much more to turn things around.

[@AccountName-gv5ie]

The region is amazing, best wishes from germany.

[@laynefangs]

I'm a DC area native, and visited Pittsburgh four times this past year. Each visit has been wonderful in its own regard. As you mentioned you can actually explore downtown without congestion and parking is a lot more affordable (parking by the AC Marriott Pittsburgh was $5/day ~ in DC Colonial Parking can easily run you $20). Goth and punk subcultures are very active, and there are shops catering to niche styles and aesthetics. There are many quirky cafes and eateries, and you can find one-of-a-kind Airbnbs at fair price. Overall I've found Pittsburgh to be an artsy, alternative city ~ the relatively lower cost of living allowing a lot of independent businesses and unique ideas to thrive. The city also has a distinct grungy Rust Belt feel, which I like, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of the Rust Belt.

[@marcrugani326]

As a Buffalo native and expatriate, I appreciate the careful analysis and recognition of the opportunities that it, and peer cities, have to be hospitable and thriving communities in the 21st century. What most of the "rust belt" cities have is geographic advantage in the face of climate change, base infrastructure for redevelopment, and a resilient base population to innovate. The long-run economic cycles, I believe, will prove that these communities are the best places in the U.S.!

[@RJRobertson-fd8xy]

First time seeing your channel and love your content and positive approach so much that I subscribed before the video was over. Even though I am a native of CA and still live here (happily so), I went to law school in a "rust belt city" and and worked for some time there which gave me the opportunity to visit many of these cities and regions. I firmly believe that these cities will rebound for all of the reasons you cited and more, as they have so much to offer that the sterility of newer cities and booming metro areas lack. ❤❤❤

[@TheDCShow0]

thanks really appreciate it!

[@Sacto1654]

The very availability of fresh water could literally drive people back to these cities. We could see the likes of Las Vegas and Phoenix lose 50% or more of its urban population because of the lack of water.

[@ConstanceHaga-cz1tl]

Youngstown Sheet and Tube laid off 5,000 workers on Black Monday, 1977 at its Campbell Works, not 500,000.

[@derek982]

Another great video!

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Nice video, thanks for showing some clips from the Lou. Once we get more rail transit and infill development, we will be the greatest city in the Western Hemisphere again! :]

[@CharlieCampanella]

Great content as usual, Dan!

[@TheDCShow0]

thanks mate!

[@jamesconnolly4778]

Great video! So well done.

[@TheDCShow0]

Thanks so much!

[@andrewbouvier1104]

it definingly extends all the way up to cities like Lewiston Maine (including the forgotten mill towns of new england)

[@dave3124]

Very interesting video,

[@sfdko3291]

Buffalo has the most potential right now. There are various college students that went to Buffalo, like myself, from NYC. The power of NY state comes from NYC. So if you can get politicans from NYC that actually CARE about upstate, like myself, we can truly call ourselves the Empire State instead of just depending on NYC. Give us a decade.

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

Sorry to break it to ya, but St. Louis has the most potential. ;]

[@vladimirlamousnery6418]

As a NYC Resident were counting on, ya.

[@naptime0143]

​@@StLouis-yu9iznot really that city is lost it continues to decline in population and the crime is outrageous

[@Pistolita221]

Detroit homes cab still be rehabbed, we have housing for hundreds of thousands and Detroit has as much money as any other major us city. It's just old globalized money, but they're investing tens of billions now.

[@zteanalysisofcompanies4497]

And in 30-50 years this region will be the most sought after in the entire nation, it’s called climate change resistant with abundant natural resources and a cooler climate, along with lower COL

[@dave3124]

Very clever, you could be right there my friend

[@palmshoot]

Not for car-less folk.

[@alejandrocervantes1527]

Milwaukee will be a big city again we r already on the right path and we r in Wisconsin the happiest state in USA 😊

[@Transmontaine]

You should have included West Virginia and parts of Kentucky in the region. They were both far more than coal. Steel, glass and chemicals were a big part of their Ohio Valley commerce.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

Absolutely. AK Steel had a huge plant in Ashland, Kentucky.

[@Transmontaine]

@@mayavenuemisfit814 Exactly! All up and down the Ohio River were steel mills and glass factories.

[@twilightcitystudios]

Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago What Do You Say? The Cubs Are Gonna Win Today!

[@haystephen]

Is Long Island considered part of the rust belt?

[@TheDCShow0]

No, sorry if i gave you that impression

[@MongoliaBall]

RUST BELT IS W

[@brianarbenz1329]

Minnesota supports education and taxes the rich to do so. Hence, its success.

[@thomassalvi]

Minneapolis? Minnesota is losing population. You live in fantasyland. The Democrats are destroying the rust belt. It's the only common demoninator - LIBERAL policies FAIL. Minneapolis is now dying because of the socialst fools who wanted to "defund the police".

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I sure as hell don't want to live in a city.

[@jhodapp]

To each their own, millions of people do.

[@drticktock4011]

AC invented by a Dr for his patients in Florida.

[@F_ckAllTrumpVoters]

If the People in these area's abandon evangelical bigotry and other Republican "culture war" dead-ends, they might stand a chance in the future.

[@sarahs5771]

What are you talking about? Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, NYC and Pittsburgh are all progressive. The other ones might be as well, but I'm not as familiar with their politics.

[@F_ckAllTrumpVoters]

@@sarahs5771 Chicago is a giant center of Capitalism & commerce for the USA. Leftists activists have been murdered in their homes in Chicago by the police. Minneapolis has never been a manufacturing center. Pittsburgh was abandoned by Capitalists for cheaper overseas labor. The same with the entire State of Ohio and Indiana. The Republican war on Unions for the past 50 years made it even worse. Then predatory evangelical bigotry stepped into the void with their mega-churches and no answers. Just Wal-Mart culture. Bland borderline human beings like Mike Pence.

[@toolwithintention]

That has to be the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!! You should look up the cities, and then visit everything out that way There you’ll find, the only bigot is @F_ckAllTrumpVoters who can’t see past CNN

[@thomassalvi]

LOL....All these areas are declining BECAUSE of liberal leadership and failed liberal POLICIES. Every city that has become an economic disaster has ONE thing in common. DEMOCRAT leadership. Until the "Rust Belt" removes their reliance on the democrat party, the rust belt cities will remain poor, crime ridden, and failures.

[@F_ckAllTrumpVoters]

@@sarahs5771 Those are all international cities. The rural areas of these State's are where American culture goes to die.

[@jasoncroghan6514]

People generally don’t want to live in cities. Might have been trendy for millennials last decade but now we are starting families and buying homes in suburbs.

[@Pistolita221]

Lmao cities are not a millennial trend