Erie, Pennsylvania and Canton, Ohio have faced the challenges of shrinking populations and fewer job prospects, but new comprehensive plans in each city may provide a pathway to resurgence

With many Rustbelt cities still reeling from ongoing job losses, blight and a shrinking population, Erie, PA and Canton, OH have taken new steps toward turning around their flagging fortunes. Writing in The Repositiory (CantonRep.com), Mathew Rink sees parallels in the two cities’ recently adopted comprehensive plans. Speaking to the author of the two comprehensive plans Charles Buki, Rink finds that both cities will use a combination of public and private resources to invest in their downtowns, blighted areas, and to attempt to resize or "right-size" themselves through demolition of vacant homes. However, much of the heavy lifting will be left to private industry.
"If either city is going to make it into the end zone," Buki said. "It's going to be on the backs of the private sector." What's clear, he says, is that neither city will advance to a place of prosperity if antipathy stands between residents and political power brokers at City Hall.
FULL STORY: Two cities, two plans and high hopes for a brighter tomorrow

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie