USP 427 Downtown Revitalization

This course examines the evolution and revitalization of downtowns and main streets over time. It explores the role of downtowns in contemporary urban regions, and introduces the concepts of downtown management and other strategies for promoting vital urban centers. Through readings, field observations, classroom discussions, and a series of assignments, students will explore the interrelationships between the built environment, economic trends, and public policy in shaping the downtowns we see today. Students should learn to understand downtowns as complex and multifaceted places that are always changing and unpredictable, but often play a crucial role in a community's identity and purpose.