Local population and housing changes associated with destination redevelopments in Detroit (1990-2010): a geographically weighted shift-share analysis

The aim of this research is to utilize a novel approach called geographically weighted shift-share (GWSSA) analysis to estimate the degree and manner to which recent destination redevelopments have played a role in changing the characteristics of the nearby population and housing in Detroit between 1990 and 2010. The main benefit of geographically weighted shift-share analysis is that this technique isolates the local changes due to such projects while simultaneously controlling for the amount of the change expected for unrelated factors (e.g., the exodus of people leaving Detroit due to its overall negative reputation). Results suggest that such destination redevelopments in Detroit seem to be connected to a number of surprising positive local impacts during this period related to total population, 18-to-29-year-olds, non-Hispanic whites, employed civilians, unemployed civilians, households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 in annual income, total housing units, occupied housing units and vacant housing units.