What once was an economically thriving steel, automobile, and manufactured parts region of the twentieth century, the modern Midwest landscape depicts a contrasting existence of abandoned factories, boarded up buildings, and deteriorating main streets. As the Midwest moves forward, it is evident from numerous examples such as Detroit, Michigan, that many cities will have to downsize in order to remain sustainable and efficient. This shift in scale will play a huge role in how cities are planned in the future.

Communities such as Greenville and Galesburg, Illinois have experienced the closing of important industries that once used to sustain them.  In Minnesota, the Ford Assembly Plant closed its doors in 2011 taking away approximately 800 jobs from the Twin Cities.  Not only do these towns find themselves in a tough predicament, but change in form of agriculture is also having an effect on the region's economy. The conversion from small family-owned farms to "mega-farms" has created tension and competition, and has completely eliminated the notion of locally produced or homegrown food. This has affected not only the now impoverished farmers, but also the region as a whole.

So where do we go from here, and how can we plan more effectively? An Iowa native, Richard Longworth proposes a number of different solutions in his book "Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism:"

• The creation of a Global Midwest Forum, a roundtable for the region's best minds to identify the issues and trends that beset the Midwest and setting an agenda for future action. Longworth's idea stems from Richard Florida's proposed  "global creativity forum" which brings political, artistic, business, scientific, and other leadership to the table;
• Collaboration of brainpower, but this time between the Big Ten and other major liberal and catholic universities as well as medical centers (such as Mayo and the Cleveland Clinic). A rational regional approach would let each university specialize in what they do best. The resulting dispersal of resources across the region could build true centers of educational excellence;
• High-speed rail is another answer in terms of bridging the gap between major Midwest epicenters. Public rail is the key to a unified Midwest both socially and economically;
• Immigration is another vital aspect. Although the economy of these places is declining, immigration is still at an all time high;
• A unified Midwestern voice to speak globally, as well as nationally. This means that the Midwest should sell itself as a single region, not as a fragmented collection of states; and
• A final idea proposes a regional need for a Midwest journal, with global coverage and thoughtful analysis, to supplement the parochial local press and to set the regional agenda.

Some of Longworth's recommendations are already starting to emerge in the Twin Cities. There is an evident boom in non-motorized transportation, high-speed rail and the local food movement.

Based on the solutions provided, are there any additional strategies that could induce economic and social vitality to the Midwest region? As more young adults move to urban centers, how can urban planners and politicians address and plan for declining cities in a more effective way?

Credits: Image by Jasna Hadzic. Data linked to sources.