How to deal with substantial population decline is a question that many smaller legacy cities will have to answer.
In the summer of 2017, Greater Ohio Policy Center ran a blog series on shrinking cities – or communities that have experienced significant population decline. The blog series summarizes academic books and articles that explore how U.S. cities can manage the many consequences of population decline.
A key theme that runs throughout much of the literature on shrinking cities is a re-examination of the concept of growth. Can a city “grow” even if it is shrinking? Are there opportunities to create greater prosperity and opportunity for residents even in the face of population decline? These are important questions for people who work in or care about cities with declining populations.
The blog posts in the series are included below:
Introduction to GOPC’s Reading Series on Shrinking Cities
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part I: Design After Decline
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part II: Terra Incognita
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part III: Why the Garden Club Couldn’t Save Youngstown
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part V: Sunburnt Cities
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part VI: Voices of Decline
Shrinking Cities Reading Series Part VII: Small, Gritty, and Green