Description
Book Synopsis Many cities with a population of 150,000 or less struggle to compete with their larger neighbors and often have trouble attracting residents and new businesses. This book explores the numerous ways these cities can compete on a larger scale without sacrificing their small-town character. It utilizes experiences from other cities, as well as from the author''s time revitalizing Augusta, Maine (pop. 19,000). Featuring chapters that focus on organizing volunteers, adhering to aesthetics, marketing, urban planning, and more, this book tackles key paths every small city should follow when attempting to redevelop its image.
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1. Organizing Your House: The Importance of Organizations and Partnerships
- 2. It's All About Distinction: Identifying and Placemaking Your Small Town
- 3. Focus on Aesthetics
- 4. Ignore the Haters: Learn to Trust Your Instincts
- 5. It's the Traffic Count, Stupid
- 6. Marketing Your Small City … the Right Way
- 7. Trickle Down(town) Economics: Why Upper-Floor Development Is Key to Street-Level Retail
- 8. Get a Little Artsy
- 9. Leveraging the Unexpected: A Proactive Approach to Disaster Mitigation
- 10. Avoid the Three Deadly Fallacies of Urban Planning
- 11. Mixing It Up: Celebrating Diversity in America's Small Cities
- Conclusion: Not a Moment to Lose
- Chapter Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
