"Nearly all the rich world’s industrial cities fell on hard times between 1950 and 1980," says The Economist. Why did some recover while others failed? A new paper argues that skilled workers and a diverse economy are key to overcoming adversity.
"The Motor City is an extreme example of a decline that has beset industrial cities across America’s Midwest and northern Europe," notes The Economist. "Nearly all the rich world’s industrial cities fell on hard times between 1950 and 1980, but some, including Boston, New York and London, rebounded soon after. Hardscrabble places like Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Liverpool have also enjoyed revivals."
"In a new paper [PDF] Gilles Duranton of the University of Pennsylvania and Diego Puga of the Centre for Monetary and Financial Studies in Madrid suggest that a pool of skilled workers and a diverse economy are among the best predictors of long-run success. Such characteristics offer cities the best hope of stumbling on new sources of increasing returns to scale."
FULL STORY: Down towns
Economic Recovery in Legacy Cities
Americans living in legacy cities face a unique set of challenges and opportunities in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several local, state, and federal support strategies could aid these cities in recouping losses.
Where Population Declines but the Economy Grows
While the scale of Detroit's population loss is well known, the lesser known that the city's economy has grown steadily in recent decades. It's not alone.
Detroit Still Has More to Worry From Decline Than Gentrification
For every feel-good story about urban revitalization, or more problematic tale of gentrification, the experience in much of Detroit has more to do with decline.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.
Major US Cities Still Suffering Downtown Decline
Research shows that the “donut effect” hollowing out central business districts since the pandemic continues to cause economic decline in the 12 largest American cities.
Survey: Americans Finding it Harder to ‘Age in Place’
While many people over 65 would prefer to stay in their homes and communities, high housing costs and a lack of accessible infrastructure make it difficult.
Old Walls, New Homes
From forgotten buildings to thriving neighborhoods, adaptive reuse has the power to transform our cities.
Housing as a Climate Resilience Strategy
Ensuring that housing, including in informal settlements, is safe and healthy for its residents is a key tool in the fight to build more sustainable and equitable communities in the face of climate migration.
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.
City of Prescott
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
CORP - COnsulting Research Projects
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners