Comparing Downtown Recovery Across U.S. Cities

The Downtown Vitality Index measures how central cities are adjusting to post-pandemic conditions.

1 minute read

April 3, 2023, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Florida

Tampa, Florida stands out for having a strong post-Covid recovery according to the Downtown Vitality Index. | Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

An analysis from The Business Journals compared over 40 large metro areas to assess their post-pandemic recovery and found that Tampa, Florida—“buoyed by a diverse economy, a burgeoning innovation ecosystem and strong in-migration”—stood above the pack in a variety of metrics. Ty West outlines the results of the analysis in the Washington Business Journal.

West quotes urbanist Richard Florida, who predicts that the era of “Covid-related relocations” to Sunbelt cities is over, with costs in these areas having reached historic highs. “Florida said that could create opportunities for places like Pittsburgh, Detroit and Cleveland.”

A major takeaway from the analysis: “Few downtowns or central business districts can claim a strong, across-the-board recovery from Covid-19. Almost everyone has work to do to secure their future.”

The article describes the metrics used in the Downtown Vitality Index, which include commuting trends, urban hotel occupancy, transit ridership, office space occupancy/absorption, downtown migration trends, and airport traffic trends. See the source article for details and key lessons from each metric.

Thursday, March 30, 2023 in Washington Business Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Crowds of people walking and biking along waterfront in Sunset Dunes Park in San Francisco, California on a sunny day.

San Francisco Opens Park on Former Great Highway

The Sunset Dunes park’s grand opening attracted both fans and detractors.

4 hours ago - Mission Local

Portland Oregon Bus

Oregon Legislature to Consider Transit Funding Laws

One proposal would increase the state’s payroll tax by .08% to fund transit agencies and expand service.

5 hours ago - KATU.com

Houston, Texas skyline.

Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy

The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.

6 hours ago - Urban Edge