In March 2007 (18 months ago), I wrote the following 2 sentences – thinking there might be an interesting short story in behind them. A kind of eco-post-apocalyptic-new-world-esque thing. The contemporary version of re-visiting the grandparents’ abandon, run-down farm in Iowa.

“Future world where ex-urbs are re-claimed by the government and turned back into farmland to feed American citizens and supply the nation’s energy. The story’s from the perspective of someone watching their parents McMansion, on a cul-de-sac, being demo’d to make room for a soy bean field.”

That initial scene stuck with me, longing to find a reason for these changes to be possible and necessary.

ELSEWHERE:

“The government looking at expanding a pioneering scheme in Flint, one of the poorest US cities, which involves razing entire districts and returning the land to nature.” – By Tom Leonard in Flint, Michigan , Telegraph UK

Mass foreclosure with the federal government picking up the tab seems like a good fit.