The plan is working pretty well. Just tour any midwestern city. Empty houses and commercial buildings abound, and plenty of empty lots where other vacant buildings have been torn down.
I think Motown has already de-developed > 40% of the city.
I’m sure Baraq’s advertising will take credit for it.
There are a lot of rural area returning to wilderness (and state ownership). The state just bought some 2300 acres of farmland near me. They farmer couldn’t afford the ever encroaching regulations regarding water among other things so he sold it all off.
I took a ride south of my old hometown a while back and was amazed at the number of empty farms.