Ghost Towns, Landscapes of Abandonment and Journeys Forward

Industrial decline, changes in agricultural production, natural and human-caused disasters, geopolitical turmoil, environmental change, cultural desertion, dam construction, and transportation bypasses often result in deserted communities worldwide. These deserted communities are sometimes referred to as ghost towns, sharing common attributes of abandonment, dereliction, and decay. However, many of these ‘frozen landscapes’ experience a thawing through intentional (or sometimes organic) efforts to repurpose them as film or television sets, tourist attractions, and/or commuter towns. This chapter examines several types of ghost towns based upon their source of abandonment, providing worldwide examples of each of these. It also highlights the role of tourism, filmmaking, and new bedroom community development in thawing the frozen landscapes most often associated with ghost towns.