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Making Downtowns Cool Again - Radical Approaches to Repairing Cities

For decades, cities both small and large have seen a continuous process of economic leakage from the central cores to outlying edge locations. These historic urban centers have witnessed this gradual but persistent and seemingly inevitable transformation from being the center of regional economic activity to the unenviable position starved of customers, businesses, and cultural life. And this persists despite often substantial reinvestment and redevelopment initiatives over the last several decades.

Just as America is rediscovering urban life, it is apparent that many downtown areas suffer from an economic dysfunction that defies easy or quick remedies. In fact this dysfunction is making it difficult to capitalize on the new urban zeitgeist that should be happening. Downtowns of America have experienced a resurgence over the last decade. And yet, even with this surge of new urban development, many if not most of our small, mid-size, and even regional downtowns are not experiencing any significant or coherent reinvestment. This is true even in very affluent areas.

Downtowns frequently have transportation infrastructure, available land and entitlement opportunities for high density urban development that edge cities and ring locations often lack. But cannot they cannot capitalize on potential new investment. They are too big and too spread out, making many new initiatives too dispersed and diluted and lacking focus or synergy. Investment that gets spread out usually fails.

The reality is that without creating engaging, interesting places that people actually want to live, work and visit you cannot successfully redevelop an urban center. This is a neighborhood approach to urban change - you have to start with a core nucleus of a place that works; that is active; that attracts people; that is a real destination. We have begun calling this Radical Placemaking.

The process of Radical Placemaking, contrary to much conventional thinking and many planning efforts, usually starts small and focused to be successful. You cannot change a downtown by trying to save the whole downtown. Real people want exactly what private reinvestment wants - a clear destination, synergistic uses, defined edges and relationships - in short, a clear winner.

Retail is the life-blood of Radical Placemaking. You cannot have a viable city without strong retail destinations. And these retail destinations will not achieve viability without a critical mass of well choreographed service and destination shopping, cafes, entertainment, restaurants, unique and national branded merchants. JRDV is a recognized expert at understanding how to create this dynamic, viable retail and mixed-use district. We are experts at diagnosing the physical and economic constraints that inhibit private retail investment. We understand how to create achievable downtown solutions that build pride of place, reflecting the quality and unique character of the communities they serve.

We have a proven track record at partnering with both private and public sector clients to create viable and sustainable downtown strategies. We approach downtown strategic planning with a deep understanding of the historical and contextual factors that affect the current strengths and weaknesses of a particular urban center. We also bring a strong understanding of private sector development requirements and how to bring back the competitive edge that downtowns once enjoyed. Above all, we believe in creating a strong partnered approach to problem solving.