Paul Grogan headed LISC for 13 years in the 1980s and 1990s, and it's been 10 years since his influential book, "Comeback Cities", was published. How has Mr. Grogan's "blueprint for urban revival" held up, ten years on?
John Kromer first read Paul Grogan's book, "Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Revival", when he was finishing his tenure as Philadelphia's Director of Office of Housing and Community Development. Mr. Grogan had led LISC, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, for thirteen years in the 1980s and 1990s and his book probed both the opportunities and difficulties associated with trying to revive America's aging industrial cities. He found reason for hope, from the success of community development corporations to declining crime rates to the deregulation of public systems like housing, welfare and public education. His book was an influential blueprint for those practitioners, like John Kromer, tasked with continuing the work.
How has Paul Grogan's "blueprint for urban revival" held up, ten years on?
In this interview, John Kromer asks Mr. Grogan to discuss the changed role of CDCs in 2010, the consequences of welfare reform, the blend of public and private intevestment supporting America's cities today, and much more.
[Audio recording available through the original article.]
Thanks to Chris Kingsley
FULL STORY: "Comeback Cities" - John Kromer Interviews Boston Foundation President Paul Grogan
Tracking Boston’s Emissions Reduction Progress
The Boston Foundation published the “Inaugural Boston Climate Progress Report” earlier this month. Other U.S. cities should follow their lead.
Pension Funds Can Save Affordable Housing
New York demonstrates how pension funds can be a major source of financing for affordable housing.
Earned Income Should Not Replace Public Funding for Community Development
Our plan was to seek out community-based organizations trying to back away from developer fees, pursuing recent implications that smaller organizations should consider leaving development work to more efficient, larger ones. We found none.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions