Mario Polèse in City-Journal: Urban-Development Legends - Grand theories do little to revive cities
. . . just as personal finance has yet to unlock the secret of how to get rich, no surefire government-led strategy exists that can turn around a troubled economy . . .See how many "fads" listed in the article have been heard around here coming from our local "Economic Development" gurus.
The history of local economic development is a story of academic fads.
Alex Ihnen in Next American City: A Highway Runs Through It
A half a continent away . . . but the same discussion that we have in Utica.As the St. Louis Arch itself neared completion in 1964, before the surrounding park became anything more than a parking lot and construction site, the area was amputated from the city by what would come to be referred to as a “crushing maze of infrastructure”. Interstate 70 was being built, resulting in a maze of sunken and elevated lanes that truncate the city’s street grid, and separate its residents from the memorial and the Mississippi River. . . .And almost 50 years later . . .
When the public has had a chance to participate, the message has been clear: the boulevard conversion should receive full consideration, it should be studied.
There is still time for discussion about this issue; the question is: will anyone listen?
2 comments:
I would have loved the City Journal article except for the fact that it was so painfully familiar. Substitute EDGE, Griffis, Utica Business Park, New Hartford Business Park, nanotech and Renaissance City into the article and it could be from the OD.
Excellent articles, especially "Urban Development Legends." I've been saying for years that changing PERCEPTIONS about the City (internal and ultimately external) is a key; there is no panacea, no magic tool, no comprehensive answer. But trends and fashions can be detrimental.
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