Downtowns: Revitalizing the Centers of Small Urban Communities

Description

Most of the material on revitalizating downtowns is based on the experiences of large urban centers. In Downtowns: Revitalizing the Centers of Small Urban Communities, Michael A. Burayidi and his colleagues seek to remedy that.

Through a mix of insightful case studies and analysis they focus on the unique development problems of downtowns in small urban communities. From the case studies, they draw a set of key principles that underscore successful downtown development efforts in small cities

Major sections of the book cover:

• Principles of Downtown Revitalization
• Urban design and infrastructure redevelopment
• Waterfront and brownfields redevelopment
• Retail and commercial redevelopment

The book clearly shows that downtown revitalization works in small as well as large cities, and that common principles apply.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Downtowns and Small City Development
  Michael A. Burayidi
• Part One: Principles of Downtown Revitalization and Four Case Studies
  • Downtown Development Principles for Small Cities
    Kent Robertson
  • The Emergence of a Competitive Core: Bifurcation Dynamics in Billings, Montana
    Mark D. Hardt
  • An Assessment of Downtown Revitalization in Five Small Wisconsin Communities
    Michael A. Burayidi
  • Downtown Redevelopment in Selected Oregon Coastal Communities: Lessons from Practice
    Jennifer R. Klebba, Mindee D. Garrett, Autumn L. Radle, and Bryan T. Downes
  • A Multifaceted Approach to Downtown Revitalization in Brandon, Canada
    William R. Horne
• Part Two: Urban Design and Infrastructure Redevelopment
  • Re-engaging the Public in the Art of Community Place-Making
    Wendy McClure and Fred A. Hurand
  • Towards a Typology of Urban Design Problems and Solutions for Downtown Revitalization: Some Evidence From the Mayor’s Institute on City Design
    Siddhartha Sen and Matthew J. Bell
  • Disaster Recovery in a Progressive City: Santa Cruz, California
    Daniel J. Garr
• Part Three: Waterfront and Brownfields Redevelopment
  • Waterfront Planning as a Strategic Incentive to Downtown Enhancement and Livability
    Zenia Kotval and John R. Mullin
  • Brownfield Restoration and Waterfront Redevelopment in Wisconsin’s Fox Valley Cities
    James R. Simmons
• Part Four: Retail and Commercial Redevelopment of Downtowns
  • Managing the Growth of Retail Space: Retail Market Dynamics in Lawrence, Kansas
    Kirk McClure
  • An Evaluation of Approaches to Downtown Economic Revitalization
    Norman Walzer and Steven Kline
  • Does Size Matter? Successful Economic Development Strategies of Small Cities
    Akhlaque Haque
• Part Five: Conclusion
  • Keeping Faith: What We Know About Downtown Revitalization in Small Urban Centers
    Michael A. Burayidi

About the Author

Michael A. Burayidi is Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Coordinator of the Urban and Regional Studies program at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. His professional interests are in the area of comparative economic development, downtown revitalization, sustainable development, and urban land management. Michael Burayidi is also the author of Resilient Downtowns.