Continuous growth and development are key priorities for most American cities. But many cities in Ohio and the Upper Midwest have lost population in the last 50 years. While there have been positive developments, dramatic new growth is far from inevitable, since changes in the global marketplace have altered regional economies and urban sprawl has left behind vast vacancies and distressed neighborhoods in core cities. It may well be time to envision a future for some Ohio cities that is smaller and smarter, rather than bigger and better. Even if trends should change in coming decades, this might be a good time for cities with high rates of vacancy to re-invent themselves so that they can develop on a smaller ecological footprint than they had in their industrial heyday. To examine the issues raised by urban shrinkage and put Northeast Ohio’s challenges in a larger context, the CUDC embarked on an ongoing Shrinking Cities Institute starting in Fall 2005.

Through international and local collaborations, and practice based research in Northeast Ohio, the CUDC seeks to examine more sustainable approaches to development and explore the idea of planned shrinkage as an alternative to the quest for continuous growth. This alternative model could include the demolition or dismantling of under-utilized housing and other building stock, the removal of redundant streets, and downsizing of municipal infrastructure to correspond to declining population. Once unneeded components of the built environment are removed, opportunities may arise for restoring native landscape ecologies and reconstituting a new kind of city, where pockets of development are surrounded and connected by natural areas. Planned shrinkage can identify opportunities to establish lively and attractive development clusters that take advantage of the best the region has to offer, while improving air and water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and establishing exciting new recreation opportunities.