Streets Deserted explores the multifaceted phenomenon of urban abandonment, transforming vibrant areas into ghost towns through a blend of historical, geographical, and societal lenses. The book delves into the complex reasons behind why entire communities leave their homes, businesses, and memories behind. One key insight is that urban decay isn't a sudden occurrence but the culmination of interconnected factors eroding a community's resilience. Factors range from economic shifts, like deindustrialization leading to mass migrations, to environmental disasters, such as resource depletion making areas unsustainable. The book examines how societal transformations, including demographic changes and political instability, can further disintegrate community bonds. It argues that understanding these root causes allows for better prediction and adaptation to future challenges. Using case studies from diverse locations and periods, the book will illuminate the common threads connecting seemingly disparate instances of urban decline. Structured in three parts, it introduces core concepts, explores primary drivers like environmental degradation and industrial decline, and analyzes abandoned settlements, culminating in strategies for community sustainability and economic diversification.
