The Ethnic Economy As A Revitalization Strategy

Immigrant communities often create thriving economies of small businesses that can revitalize declining cities -- if modernist planners will let them.

1 minute read

May 14, 2005, 8:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The fact that the inner city has a structure that is particularly favourable to small businesses becomes apparent if we study the distribution of businesses in the range 1-4 employees located at street level in Stockholm. To start with, there are four times as many small businesses in the inner city if we compare with size of population. We can also see clear cluster formations in the inner city along important shopping streets and around squares, while we see an even distribution of lone wolves in the outer city. The inner city is, however, gentrified and it is getting increasingly expensive and difficult to live and operate there. The potential for vitality that exists in the population structure of the suburbs does not come into its own, because the settlement pattern puts obstacles in its path. But even the city districts in the suburbs vary in their structure, both as regards their internal organisation and links with the outside world."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 in Axess Magazine

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