Supporting Shrinkage: Planning and Decision Making for Legacy Cities

Authors

Michael P. Johnson Jr., University of Massachusetts - BostonFollow
Justin Hollander, Tufts UniversityFollow
Eliza Whiteman Kinsey, University of PennsylvaniaFollow
George Chichirau, University of Massachusetts BostonFollow
Charla BurnettFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-4466-5886

Document Type

Book

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Supporting Shrinkage describes a new approach to citizen-engaged, community-focused planning methods and technologies for cities and regions facing decline, disinvestment, shrinkage, and social and physical distress. The volume evaluates the benefits and costs of a wide range of analytic approaches for designing policy and planning interventions for shrinking cities and distressed communities. These include collaborative planning, social media, civic technology, game design, analytics, decision modeling and decision support, and spatial analysis. The authors present case studies of three US cities addressing shrinkage and decline, with a focus on issues of social justice, democratization of knowledge, and local empowerment. Proposed as a solution is an approach that puts community engagement and empowerment at the center, combined with data and technology innovations. The authors argue that decisions informed by qualitative and quantitative data and analytic methods, implemented through accessible and affordable technologies, and based on notions of social impact and social justice, can enable residents to play a leading role in the positive transformation of shrinking cities and distressed communities.

Comments

Published by SUNY Press, 2021. This is an extract from the galley proof. The book is available for purchase from SUNY Press at https://www.sunypress.edu/p-7052-supporting-shrinkage.aspx

Community Engaged/Serving

Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage

Recommended Citation

Johnson, M.P., Hollander, J., Kinsey, E.W. and G. Chichirau (with contributions by Charla Burnett). 2021. Supporting Shrinkage: Planning and Decision-Making for Legacy Cities. Albany, NY: SUNY Press. ISBN: 978-1-4384-8345-0.