Urban vegetational change as an indicator of demographic trends in cities: the case of Detroit.

"In this study the author seeks to find whether changes in urban vegetation can be linked to urban social changes by using Detroit [Michigan] as a case study. Demographic trends in Detroit are analyzed in light of the increasing greenness in the city detected by recent satellite images. Robust relationships between greenness change and demographic factors associated with urban decay (population decline, an increase in poverty level, and an increase in vacant units) are found.... It is concluded that vegetation trends could be used as indicators of urban socioeconomic changes. A vegetation-based urban environmental quality index could therefore be developed to monitor physical and social changes in the cities." excerpt