Strategies for Revitalizing Smaller Post-Industrial Cities

For every Pittsburgh or Cleveland success story, there's a story waiting to be told in smaller cities like Gary and Lowell.

1 minute read

September 8, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Downtown Flint Michigan along Saginaw Street

Tony Faiola / flickr

According to an article on the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy blog, "from Gary, Indiana, to Lowell, Massachusetts, smaller post-industrial cities are taking strategic steps to regenerate."

The path taken by such small "Legacy Cities" is the subject of a new report from the Lincoln Institute and the Greater Ohio Policy Center.

"The report, Revitalizing America’s Smaller Legacy Cities, by Torey Hollingsworth and Alison Goebel, examines at 24 cities with populations of 30,000 to 200,000 across seven midwestern and northeastern states: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts."

According to the post, each of the stories are unique, but they also share some common traits. The report also suggests eight strategies for revitalization, with more detail in the article and, obviously, the report:

  • Build civic capacity and talent
  • Encourage a shared public- and private-sector vision.
  • Expand opportunities for low-income workers
  • Build on an authentic sense of place
  • Focus regional efforts on rebuilding a strong downtown
  • Engage in community and strategic planning
  • Stabilize distressed neighborhoods
  • Strategically leverage state policies

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in At Lincoln House

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 14, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Cars driving under automatic congestion pricing toll machines on Broadway next to the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off

After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.

October 13, 2026 - Marcelo Remond

A crane lifts a manufactured house, with is rectangular and does not yet have a roof.

HUD modernizes 50-year-old manufactured housing framework

The Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Plan establishes new energy-efficiency standards for manufactured homes, and new guidelines for anchoring them.

October 8, 2026 - Boston Real Estate Times

People bike and jog through a park in Florida.

Florida could lose billions in funding for infrastructure, parks

If Amendment 3 passes, Miami-Dade would lose about $445 million annually by fiscal year 2028-29.

3 hours ago - NBC Miami

A rendering of Meta's proposed data center. We see the large gray buildings from above.

New Mexico spent millions drafting climate goals. Data centers are unraveling them

Three data centers in New Mexico and El Paso will release more emissions yearly than 2 million cars in the same timeframe.

4 hours ago - El Paso Matters

An aerial view of Dayton with a river and many trees visible

This Ohio town is using AI to speed up transit analysis

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s new AI tool correctly determined riders’ preferred ways to reach key commuter routes.

5 hours ago - Cities Today