Urban Revitalization: Baby Steps or the Magic Bullet?

Sturm acknowledges the limitations of the planning field and proposes a fresh perspective: "Though economics and planning are considered sciences, it seems that 'quality of place' is best captured when revitalization is approached as an art. Science is filled with models-many of which we are all too familiar with. And it would seem that many of the models employed in our economic revitalization efforts are just not working. As some groups try to identify a magic bullet that will turn around struggling (read: surviving) communities, some others look to a more organic, connected solution that is better suited to our economic, political, and social culture."

Concrete examples are found through the work of architect Alan Pullman of Studio One Eleven, and used to illustrate the important links between the built environment, creative, meaningful development, and urban revitalization.

Thanks to Tara Sturm