The Big Picture

Are suburbanization and urbanism always at odds?

Much has been made lately of a supposedly historic shift in American demographics, in which community survey data from the Census Bureau showed many large American cities (mainly in the Sun Belt) grew at a faster rate than their suburbs since last year. But as any drive through the collar counties will make clear, the suburbs still loom large. In absolute numbers, the growth seen downtown is still a fraction of the growth enjoyed by communities more far-flung. 

We recently looked closely at redevelopment in Ohio’s three largest cities. Movements to revitalize withering urban cores there have progressed to a point where some see a brighter future for Rust Belt cities. A genuine interest in downtown living has coalesced with efforts by private developers and all levels of government to help produce a new template for urban redevelopment...