Report Looks at "Right Sizing" Cities

Some older cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, which have had ongoing issues with depopulation and disinvestment, are now facing additional challenges with struggling economies, abandoned homes and the problems associated with such issues.  This report -- Historic Preservation and Rightsizing, Current Practices and Resources Survey -- looks at how cities are developing responses to these problems with a focus on "rightsizing," or the process of reshaping a city's urban fabric to meet the needs of current or expected populations.  Some cities call this downsizing, which is a term that can also be politically inflammatory, but the purpose is to focus on planning and redevelopment, and to have those activities match the  current population. This report looks at the problems with long-term population loss, the purpose and potential of historic preservation, and strategies for moving forward.   Read more