Using different models to understand downtowns in the USA
Abstract
The focus of this paper is on the large downtowns in the USA, although several other large districts around the world are also seeking greater functional diversity as the demand for office spaces has diminished and the competition for creative talent has increased. Great attention has been paid to providing more housing. How much housing can be provided before the downtown changes into something other than a downtown has become a key question. The research in this paper shows that the Upper East Side in Manhattan (UES) has over 245,000 residents, yet is still a major employment, arts, healthcare and retail centre. Some still question if the UES is really a downtown. This paper presents the two analytical models that now structure much of our understanding of what a downtown is, and uses them and data on our 26 largest downtowns to show why the UES deserves that appellation. It also suggests a third model: the balanced downtown. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
David Milder is Founder and President of DANTH, Inc., a nationally recognised authority on downtown revitalisation. For over 50 years he has utilised his market research and management skills to assess the potentials of downtowns and recommend revitalisation and recruitment strategies and programmes. David has managed several downtown special districts, and has authored three books and numerous articles. He is also the Founding Editor of the American Downtown Revitalization Review. His recent research has focused on central social functions and their impacts on how downtowns operate.
