{"product_id":"the-heart-of-the-city-creating-vibrant-downtowns-for-a-new-century","title":"The Heart of the City: Creating Vibrant Downtowns for a New Century","description":"\u003cp\u003eDowntowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas  technology  and ventures. They are the heart of the city that drives its future. If we are to have healthy downtowns  we need to understand what downtown is all about; how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving (such as San Jose and Houston)  some have been in decline for half a century (including Detroit and St. Louis)  and still others are resurging after temporary decline (many  including Lower Manhattan and Los Angeles). The downtowns that are prospering are those that more easily adapt to changing needs and lifestyles.  In The Heart of the City  distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin shares lessons on how to plan for a mix of housing  businesses  and attractions; enhance the public realm; improve mobility; and successfully manage downtown services. Garvin opens the book with diagnoses of downtowns across the United States  including the people  businesses  institutions  and public agencies implementing changes. In a review of prescriptions and treatments for any downtown  Garvin shares brief accountsof both successes and failuresof what individuals with very different objectives have done to change their downtowns. The final chapters look at what is possible for downtowns in the future  closing with suggested national  state  and local legislation to create standard downtown business improvement districts to better manage downtowns.  This book will help public officials  civic organizations  downtown business property owners  and people who care about cities learn from successful recent actions in downtowns across the country  and expand opportunities facing their downtown. Garvin provides recommendations for continuing actions to help any downtown thrive  ensuring a prosperous and thrilling future for the 21st-century American city.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44984480989237,"sku":"ByrdShop_1610919491","price":51.44,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781610919494.jpg?v=1770834683","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-heart-of-the-city-creating-vibrant-downtowns-for-a-new-century","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}