Poletown video is a documentary which describes a city that was destroyed because General Motors wanted to move in and build a new plant. General Motors was allowed to take over because of eminent domain. It was deemed an eminent domain because the new plant was supposed to create more jobs which would help the economy. From an urban ecology stand point it hurt more then it helped from the beginning to end. The neighborhood was not doing well economically but it did have sentimental value along with diversity. They would be taken out their homes and put somewhere less comfortable. This is why the residents of Poletown were so upset with the government’s decision. It led to destruction of homes, businesses, churches a school and a hospital. Since the city wasn’t at its best in value the properties owned by people were to be bought for less than it is worth.
People started to rebel and carry guns with them all the time to protect themselves and their homes. Those who didn’t want to continue the fight took the settlement money and went their way. The police were hardly there it didn’t even seem like a neighborhood anymore so the fight with the people of Poletown and the government became very weak. It seemed like a good idea from a political standpoint because it was suppose to build up the economy. Since the city wasn’t in its prime they paid less for the property which means more to invest for the auto plant. When the people rebelled by burning down their house it actually did the government a favor because it was easier to build over.
Even when the people of Poletown hired lawyers to help them it still didn’t work because of the condition of the neighborhood. Due to the unemployment rate and the crime rate of the city the government felt like it needed this plant to boost the economy and value. Eminent domain was controversial in this situation because it didn’t