Detroit: the ruins left behind when city loses half its population

Dubbed 'Motor City', Detroit is the birthplace of the US car industry.

Iconic auto companies like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler brought jobs and prosperity the Michigan city that was once America's fourth largest with nearly two million inhabitants.

As those companies faced competition from auto manufacturers in Japan, Detroit endured a population exodus.

Detroit now boasts only about 700,000 residents, down 25% from 10 years ago.

After an $80 billion (£51.5 billion) US government car industry bailout, Detroit is attempting to resurrect itself.

But the abandoned homes and ballrooms, ruined factories and an empty, cavernous train station serve as daily reminders of the city's more affluent past.

For her book, Detroit: 138 Square Miles, photographer Julia Reyes Taubman spent seven years documenting what is left of Detroit. She argues its ruins are monuments to American innovation that must be preserved.

Photos courtesy Julia Reyes Taubman and Artbook /DAP