The city of Detroit, Michigan filed the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. That was the latest episode in what is a long and painful decline of a once prosperous city. The automobile industry has shrunk, jobs have been lost, and the population has been reduced. During the last 60 years, Detroit has lost 60% of its residents. A significant amount of houses and other building has been left vacant making Detroit the American capital of urban decay.
French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre met online in 2002, drawn by their love of abandoned places. They soon started visiting ruins in the suburbs of Paris taking photos separately but later decided to collaborate. Together, they’ve photographed urban ruins from all around the world. Their project “The Ruins of Detroit” is a 5-year collaboration, beginning in 2005. More information on their website: abandoned Detroit.
