Full Citation

Title: The uneven shrinking city: neighborhood demographic change and creative class planning in Birmingham, Alabama

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2021

ISBN:

ISSN: 02723638

DOI: 10.1080/02723638.2021.2004788

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Abstract: This research examines the uneven spatial-demographic distribution of population loss in one US “shrinking” city, Birmingham, Alabama, and analyzes the city’s planning role in and response to population loss. It examines the connections between Birmingham’s historic racial zoning law and urban renewal practices and the resulting patterns of depopulation and demographic change, and its present-day use of creative class planning – an approach critiqued for perpetuating inequalities – to revitalize neighborhoods and reverse depopulation. Using a novel methodological approach, this research describes the characteristics of Birmingham’s population loss from 1970 to 2010 and examines the city’s planning response to this population loss. Findings demonstrate that the variables associated with depopulation change over time and space. By linking these spatialized demographic trends to the city’s current planning approach, we problematize creative class and residential attractiveness-based planning logics, while highlighting the importance of addressing inequality in the planning of shrinking cities.

Url: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02723638.2021.2004788

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Authors: Heim Lafrombois, Megan E.; Park, Yunmi

Periodical (Full): Urban Geography

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Volume:

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Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Land Use/Urban Organization, Population Mobility and Spatial Demography

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