Catalyzing Neighborhood Revitalization Through Strengthening Civic Infrastructure

Place-based revitalization initiatives seek to make every neighborhood safe and healthy and to connect them to high-quality services. These initiatives share a few common characteristics. They concentrate resources in a specific geography; combine physical revitalization with the provision of servic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Policy File 2019
Main Authors: Shroyer, Aaron, Schilling, Joseph, Poethig, Erika C
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Infrastructure
Social conditions & trends
Urban Institute
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:Place-based revitalization initiatives seek to make every neighborhood safe and healthy and to connect them to high-quality services. These initiatives share a few common characteristics. They concentrate resources in a specific geography; combine physical revitalization with the provision of services (e.g., health, education, and job training programs); leverage existing institutions, networks, and capital; and engage local leaders and residents. However, they have a mixed track record on whether and how much current residents benefit from such redevelopment. To address these and other limitations, more place-based initiatives are starting to marry physical revitalization with intentional efforts to build civic infrastructure. Civic infrastructure incorporates a broad view of community assets and therefore seeks to improve physical and civic assets as well as the processes, practices, and interactions those assets enable. By strengthening civic infrastructure, revitalizing physical assets can help create equitable outcomes for residents and increase community benefits. The Chicago Prize, a 2019 philanthropic challenge of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, presents an opportunity to demonstrate how physical revitalization projects that strengthen civic infrastructure can catalyze economic activity that improves outcomes for current residents. In this report, we articulate six principles, gleaned from years of place-based practice and research, to guide how applicants, judges, and others approach the Chicago Prize. Although few place-based initiatives have integrated all of these principles, these principles offer a comprehensive approach that strengthens civic infrastructure, catalyzes neighborhood economic activity, and ultimately improves economic and social outcomes for nearby residents.