Urban cores have undergone a long period of depopulation and depression. But with cities across the country attempting to bring these areas back, a few simple strategies are laying the groundwork.
"Sadly, many of America's urban areas have 'died on the vine', and city and business leaders are now faced with the tremendous task of revitalizing these downtown cores. In fact, 62 percent of all major city population growth in the 1990s occurred along suburban borders, compared to just 11 percent in city cores, according to a report from the Brookings Institution's Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy."
"A lack of investment in the downtown cores contributed to the decline and now cities across the nation are trying to figure out how they can take their urban centers from vacant to vibrant. Experts suggest three main strategies: create an organization to bring together business leaders and city officials; design a masterplan to encourage investment; and develop a way to leverage any special attractions in the downtown core."
Read the full story: Urban Revitalization - Creating a catalyst for downtown redevelopment
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
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University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
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