Can We Fix American Cities by Tearing Them Down?

A plan to tear down 4,000 vacant houses makes Baltimore the latest city to invest in demolition.

The 1000 block of North Stricker Street in west Baltimore's Sandton-Winchester neighborhood, is slated for the demolition.

Photographer: Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan held a sidewalk press conference last week in Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood. He promised to revitalize the city by spending $75 million to tear down 4,000 vacant houses.

"Fixing what is broken in Baltimore requires that we address the sea of abandoned, dilapidated buildings that are infecting entire neighborhoods," he said.