Summary:
Essay concentrates on revitalizing downtown London, England.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms that show downtown London is in need of revitalization include;
- A general migration out of the downtown core to the suburbs.
- Large companies moved out of London to larger urban centres that could provide....
- The publics view of downtown was dirty, their philosophy was downtown was "dirty with nothing going on.
PROBLEM
Creation of highway networks outside the city and subsequent growth of suburban communities transformed the way citizens worked lived and spent their leisure time. Downtown businesses closed or moved to malls inducing a reduction in downtown shopping and overall downtown commercial traffic.
Property values and sales tax revenues dropped.
Downtown was soon characterized by neglected buildings, boarded up storefronts, while the streets were filled with empty trash.
The publics perception of downtown became negative the people view of downtown was that "nothing is going on" and "nothing is worth saving."
Downtown London had the highest vacancy rate in the city space was being rented for prices between fifty cents and two dollars per meter which was lower than the average in London.
Many major firms moved to big cities like Toronto after consolidating.
CAUSE root of problem
There are a few problems that led to the deterioration of London's down town. The creation of the suburbs and subsequent businesses that defined themselves by the fact that they catered strictly to the suburb population played a huge role of depreciating the importance of downtown.
PART 2
ECONONMIC DEVELOPMENT
Objective- To build on and realize the strengths of the downtown as the heart of the London community: an international centre for the arts, culture, tourism, education, and knowledge based industries, and a leading national business, finance, and government centre.
Certain policies and plans must be enacted by groups that take both the initiative and responsibility to initiate them.
Richmond Row shopping area.
POLICYKEY ACTIONSRESPONSIBILITY
Downtown Business PlanDevelop and implement a Downtown Business Plan
Market ResearchCommission a market research study to identify economic growth opportunities in the downtown
Business RecruitmentHire a business recruitment officer for and initial period of 3 years
Marketing & PromotionDevelop and implement marketing and promotional programs for the downtown, including parking, housing, and business reinvestment programs
Unified VoiceClarify roles and eliminate duplication among key downtown organizations
Economic NetworkDevelop and maintain a list of individuals and organizations, including residents, as a resource for a variety of communication, marketing, promotion and development purposes. Communicate regularly through things such as meetings and newsletters
Economic Forum
Tourism InfrastructurePrepare a downtown tourism plan, assess downtowns tourism services and facilities. Develop short term and long term plans for new services and facilities
Downtown Research CentreRecruit research businesses and agencies
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Objective- To substantially increase the downtown's residential population and to develop a sense of community amongst all downtown residents. Targeting specific areas for development.
DOWNTOWN HOUSING
POLICYKEY ACTIONSRESPONSIBILITY
Residential InfrastructurePlan and implement a program of public improvements
Warehouse InfrastructurePlan and implement a program of public improvements
Market Downtown HousingCreate agreement with public and private sector property owners to cost share marketing/develop target market
Housing Reinvestment ProgramCreate programs and grants to allow for new housing developments and conversions of existing buildings
Flexible Occupancy RegulationsAllow for building codes to be relaxed to enable residential conversions
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
POLICYKEY ACTIONSRESPONSIBILITY
This is the complete article, containing 504 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
