Downtown Kalamazoo : A Study of D. K. I. and Growth Management

Abstract

In today's society, the terms urban revitaliz~tion, redevelopment, renovation and renewal have become a commonplace reference for the cities of the United States. Cities are considered to be "dead" or as some have suggested "obsolete". Urban areas are fraught with problems of fiscal health, increased unemployment and many other socially related problems, such as homelessness. A general consensus exists, within our society, of the need for a new and improved urban environment. This can be inferred from the great deal of media attention that has been given to the downfall of cities and the wealth of material devoted to this predicament, i.e. books, articles. Our cities are a vital and integral element of our society and must be preserved. Therefore, it is imperative that something is done to enhance or revive this vital aspect of American life; the city. The problem lies in the way of going about such a monumental task. Over the past three months of working with Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated and researching in the library, I have been able to gain insight into the various perspectives devoted to the revitalization of urban areas. Based on my experiences and study, I am prepared to defend growth management as an effective method of urban revitalization. Few Americans would quarrel with the need for improving our nation's cities. In the last two decades, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the importance of establishing a viable method for this achievement. All sectors of our society agree the urban region 1 is a diverse and culturally unique American institution. Americans agree that this important element of our society must be salvaged. My paper provides an analysis of different policies related to urban renewal. Because of this extensive research, I then predict the most effective policy for revitalizing the misery stricken inner-cities.