Cities Fighting for Survival

In the midst of unprecedented urbanization throughout the world, including America, there are a lot of cities that are struggling to remain a city. Newsweek recently published “America’s Dying Cities” which gave a brief description of the top ten dying cities in the United States, at least based on certain statistics. Several of the cities were no big surprise (like the three cities in Michigan) as there has been constant trend in population shift to the South and the West. The traditional industrial cities like Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Cleveland have been hurting since the old industries have moved out.

The question remains, if people are flocking to cities like never before how is it that these cities are decreasing in population and even “dying”? It is a strange new reality of the “urban millennium” (Viv Grigg’s phrase) we have entered. People are moving to cities for specific reasons, jobs, professional opportunities, develop a certain skill, art, craft, or perhaps simply to enjoy the amenities a great city can offer. In other words, people hope for certain things in the city. In an increased age of mobility and global transience, people can choose the cities to which they move. In fact, Richard Florida even asserts that we tend to move to cities that suit our personalities in his book Who’s Your City? What this means is that cities are going to have to compete to remain vibrant cities. They are going to have to step up their game, which means they going to have to learn how to become a good city. Inviting a couple of big companies and building an interstate that passes through just isn’t going to cut anymore. People are looking for a city where they can thrive and where the city has character. The great cities of the world have done this very well. We love London, New York, and San Francisco because they have interesting neighborhoods, mixed used communities, and unique stores, restaurants, and faith communities. If New York replaced all the local pizza joints with Papa John’s, Domino’s, and Pizza Huts, then New York’s interstingness (I know this isn’t a word) would drop considerably.

One of the cities that was on the list, Grand Rapids, has responded with a record-breaking lip-dub. It was not only an amazing organization feet, it makes Grand Rapids look like a nice place to live. Cities will need to think more about how to become great places to live rather than just a job and a house somewhere in the burbs. But just as the people of Grand Rapids came together for their city, this is what it will take in the future. Average citizens coming together for the good of their respective cities.