The Politics of Design and Development in the Postmodern Downtown

Abstract

As cities cope with new economic realities their downtown spaces are changing. Downtowns have become consumption–based places that are designed more like amusement parks for tourists than as urban places for residents. The increasing privatization of design and oversight of downtown spaces raises questions about democratic access and in whose interests public development policy is made. The case cities examined here suggest that cities are struggling to find ways to make their need for development success match their desire to make downtowns accessible. Despite citizen participation and political rhetoric about public access, cities make compromises. They are willing to give private control over formerly public space in exchange for a productive economic return. Such behavior produces a positive cultural reference but allows little room for diversity.

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