Urban revitalization has been a contentious issue across the United States. In many ways, this practice is essential to the sustained appeal and economic vitality of cities, but can come at a high cost to the communities already there. Historic attempts at reinvigorating urban cores have often been presumptuous and heavy-handed, leaving broken social networks and destroyed neighborhoods in their wake.
In “…It’s Complicated: Planning’s Relationship with Infill”, I compared different urban redevelopment programs and examined geographic trends to identify ways of breathing new life into cities while minimizing impacts to current residents. Knowing differences between credit access and tax incentives, consistent ordinance implementation, and compassionate social support when relocation was necessary were main themes identified in successful urban revitalization. |
This research underscored the importance of critically assessing the needs of communities impacted by renewal. As a policy developer, I will understand the importance of satisfying the essential needs of financial stability and sense of community. I will also endeavor to educate managers of how social compassion can be critical to redevelopment.
Significant leaps in LaGrange, Georgia's economic output have not translated to the municipal vitality anticipated. City leaders partnered with Dr. Mittal’s Urban Economics class to understand why and develop strategies to fix it. My group’s focus was the overall appeal of the city to non-residents. My specific concentration was to articulate how the city’s retail market played a part and how it could be improved, leveraging recreation, and group visual and GIS requirements.
Using a variety of economic models, I illustrated the degree by which LaGrange’s retail industry was over-shadowed by nearby markets in Coweta County, Georgia and Lee County, Alabama. Quantitative analysis showed how over 50% of local shoppers went to one of these two other markets, and how their retail trade areas nearly split LaGrange in half. I determined that filling market gaps would help build a stronger retail base. I also developed strategies for local recreation assets to draw larger shares of consumers away from competing areas. |
This assignment helped me and my group understand how regional economies influence the communities that are a part of them. It required considering the desires of a community and balancing them with less obvious needs revealed through data analysis. Collaboration was essential, both within our group and across all other groups in the class. Finally, it afforded everyone the opportunity to speak publicly to municipal leaders with informed recommendations.