This article posits that in many U.S. cities, downtowns are no longer the region’s economic heart, and they are therefore unlikely to generate the sort of political power assumed in earlier political science studies.

This article focuses on a new trend in American cities: the downtown districts are abandoned by businesses. This means that city centres offer more space entertainment and culture, as well as the possibility of turning into a new residential area. The economic base of the city centre has therefore changed, causing 'downtown' to no longer be a primary focus of the largest economic interests.

American central business districts have undergone dramatic changes in function over the past four decades, and it should be expected that these functional changes would be accompanied by changes in political organization and influence. In an earlier era, the downtown was usually the region’s largest employment node and home to its key retailing and financial activities. Regional business leaders saw a healthy downtown as crucial to the success of their enterprises, and they worked, often through peak business organizations, to push for downtown revitalization alongside other business concerns. Today, many of the key business institutions, once at the heart of the downtown coalition, are one. Downtowns are now less dominant as either economic centers or as the basis of political power. While corporate interests in many cities still work toward downtown improvements, this cause is less central to their mission, and less connected to a broader regional business agenda. Those most concerned with downtown are now real estate interests, who seek allies among nonprofit organizations and forge connections to cultural institutions.

University of South Florida, Department of Geography
NES 107
FL 33620 Tampa
http://www.usf.edu/index.asp
Elizabeth Strom

Journal of Urban Affairs
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/juaf

/02/2008

Elizabeth Strom

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

City centre development