What is the right size for a city?

Greater Ohio attended the 2009 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference last week which focused on Building Safe, Healthy and Livable Communities. The conference addressed issues many states are facing today as they try to revitalize their economy and become internationally competitive. One breakout session particularly relevant to Ohio and the Restoring Prosperity Initiative was Best Practices: Downsizing Cities to Right Size Sustainable Growth.

The breakout session proposed that "Since vital communities are critical to sustainable growth, a number of older industrial cities are developing innovative planning strategies that downsize communities as the route to long-term economic sustainability and better quality of life." The panel, which included Hunter Morrison from Youngstown State University, discussed downsizing as a land use tool, implementation options, and best practices that are occurring in cities across the country.

Comment from speakers included:

Dan Kildee (speaker):  "Population is not a true measure of quality." Qualitative and not quantitative measures are what matter.

Hunter Morrison:  Cities that need to right-size are "weak-market cities" with a declining population. It's a regional issue, primarily in Great Lakes states and old industrial core cities. -AND- We need to look to assets and create civic engagement (i.e. accept that we are a smaller city, define our role in a new regional economy, improve communities' image of city, and make a call for action)

Although some cities, such as Youngstown, are embracing the idea of right sizing, it proves to be a controversial issue that requires deliberation and delicate handling. First we need to address the question,

Is it OK to aspire to be smaller?

If so, how can we communicate the concept? Is it effective to use terms such as “right sizing” and “resizing”?

An Inspirtational Message

As the Restoring Prosperity to Ohio initiative begins the new year, we are comforted to learn that Ohioans from all areas of society are in support of sustainable development and are eager to see changes in the way the government does business. Just recently, the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an article by the "Very Rev. Tracey Lind" who imagines the possibilities for Ohio and outlines how we can realize them. "Imagine a place where people, corporations and institutions thrive together. Imagine a metropolitan area where people are healthy because it is home to the world's finest medical care, recreation and local food; where children are well-educated because we boast outstanding universities, colleges and schools; where people are employed in sustainable jobs because we are surrounded by the power of water and wind; and where the quality of life is excellent because we have safe neighborhoods, vibrant faith communities and wonderful cultural institutions. In short, imagine a region that thrives because all of its abundant resources are working together for the common good." Read the full article

Why should we take pride in Ohio?

One of the biggest barriers to the Restoring Prosperity initiative is the negative perception that Ohioans have about their state. For some reason, Ohioans have forgotten all of the state's great assets and why they choose to live here in the first place. If Ohioans don't take pride in Ohio, how can we expect others to? The first step in revitalizing Ohio is to rebuild the sense of pride that was once prevalent. One blogger, a non-Ohioan at that, has overcome the negativity pervasive in our state and highlights the wonderful attributes inherent in Ohio's culture. Ohioans would do well to think about his article "Ohio with Attitude" and remember why they love this state.

Moving in the Right Direction in Marion Ohio

One Ohio city that has taken on the task of redevelopment is Marion, Ohio. Its citizens are working hard to revitalize the downtown area making it a desirable place to live. Lois Fisher, of Lois Fisher and Associates, has focused on redevelopment of the downtown area turning one decrepit building into an outdoor park as well as restoring a building which vacant storefronts into a residential building now completely full. To give you a glimpse of her efforts, we took a video tour of her loft in downtown Marion which exemplifies the potential Ohio cities have if someone takes the time and effort to care.

A Time for Change: What are you doing?

The inauguration of Obama brings hope to many people. The new president advocates change and a new perspective. During a time when many people face social and fiscal hardships President Obama asks that all people pitch in to help revitalize our economy. As Brad Whitehead, president of the Fund for Our Economic Future, states in a recent op-ed "A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste" This week, we will highlight people/organizations who are doing their part revitalize Ohio's economy. If you know of project occuring in Ohio that deserve recognition please post them! Happy Inauguration Day!

Transit: An indicator of changing times

The Cleveland Regional Transit Authority reported an increase in ridership for the sixth consecutive year (Read the article). These numbers indicate that as traveling costs increase, people are turning to alternative modes of transportation. What does this mean for Ohio's economy? The Restoring Prosperity to Ohio initiative advises that if communities and the state want to revitalize, they must first look at the changing economic trends, take stock of the assets that already exist in their communities, and examine how they can use their assets to capitalize on these new developments.Take for example, Akron. Once the rubber capital of the world, it used its rubber background to invest in polymer research. Now, the city is well on its way of overcoming the decline of its manufacturing base and revitalizing its economic grandeur.

The increase in ridership on mass transit indicated that it is time for Ohio to re-evaluate its transportation  investments and look multi-modal transportation opportunities in order for the state to stay competitive in the 21st Century.

Virtual Employment: A Future Frontier?

Ohio is facing tough economic times. Not only is it coping with the national economic downturn, it is also grappling with the loss of its manufacturing jobs. Also, Ohio is dealing with its long history of sprawl as residents continued to move further out from the city centers. Not only does this wear on the infrastructure but it also costs individuals as gas prices rise. One possibility that may help to reduce the impact of the economic downturn on workers and companies is Virtual Employment. If workers can work from home then they can save money in commuting costs and employers can save on overhead costs. The Source Newsletter is embarking on a series about this new phenomenon called "Recruiting from the Middle of Nowhere." Not only does the blog aptly describe the benefits and drawbacks of the Virtual Workplace it also leads to the fundamental questions....Is this what Ohio really needs to revitalize or is it just a band-aid that is covering more fundamental problems?

Light Rail in Columbus, Ohio?

Are you curious about the status of light rail in Ohio? Bill Lhota, the President and CEO at COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) discusses the new light rail proposal between OSU and the downtown area as well as the North Corridor (Columbus to Delaware). Check out his interview on ColumbusUnderground to learn more.

What about the Suburbs?

There is a lot of discussion around revitalization of the urban cores and reinvesting in our city's structures. However, one area that is often overlooked, yet vital to the conversation, is the suburbs which surround the cities. The Restoring Prosperity to Ohio initiative focuses on the revitalization of Ohio's core communities; cities which had a population of 15,000 and made up 20% of the county population in 1950. Although this is the initial framework used to identify study areas, key components of Ohio's economy are missing when limited to these parameters. Many of Ohio's first-ring suburbs face the same issues as cities when it comes to a depleted workforce and decaying housing and the Restoring Prosperity Initiative is working to include the suburban perspective into the conversation. The Urbanophile Review is one blog that is already doing this. The posting "Review: Retrofitting Suburbia," which reviews the book, Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs, aptly discusses the challenges that midwestern suburbs face in today's economy and how they are linked to urban areas.

What will happen in 2009?

The Cleveland Plain Dealer released an article yesterday, "Ohio needs to be ready for economic rebound," which looks ahead to the "economy-building efforts and opportunities" that could happen in 2009. Although some of the efforts are focused on Northeast Ohio, the article adeptly outlines the challenges left from 2008 and possible strategies to Restore Prosperity to Ohio. Many of the initiatives outlined in the article closely align with the recommendations put forth by the Restoring Prosperity to Ohio initiative such as:

• Regional Collaboration: The regional prosperity initiative put forth by the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association
• Targeted Investments: The "Strengthen the Strengths" strategy which calls for the identification of assets and targeting investments to develop them. One example of this is the expansion and development of University Circle in Cleveland; a job-growth hot spot which brings in investors.
• Human Capital: Developing worker-training programs to equip workers with the skills demanded by companies

These are just a couple of examples of promising initiative occurring in Northeast Ohio. Do you think the state is on the right track in its efforts?  What development initiatives are going on in your area?

Read the full article