In recent decades, downtowns across the United States have been transformed by new growth and economic activity. In his new book, Heart of the City, distinguished urban planner Alex Garvin digs into the recent resurgence of cities including Boston, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Seattle. He offers thoughtful recommendations for civic leaders and elected officials to build thriving downtowns by enhancing the public realm, promoting a dynamic mix of uses including new and rehabilitated residences, and improving mobility. Cocktails and canapés will be served, and books will be available to be signed.

Why are some downtowns in trouble while others are thriving? How have those that were on the decline, like lower Manhattan, become resurgent? What does it take to ensure a healthy future for the heart of America’s cities?

Distinguished urban planner Alexander Garvin will answer these questions with Paul Goldberger, noted architecture critic and contributing editor at Vanity Fair. In this conversation on Garvin’s new book The Heart of the City: Creating Vibrant Downtowns for a New Century, Garvin identifies shared elements of great downtowns, offers lessons from successful and failed projects, and charts a path forward for prosperous downtowns.

A book signing follows the event.

Downtowns are more than economic engines: they are repositories of knowledge and culture and generators of new ideas, technology, and ventures. If we are to have healthy downtowns, noted urban planner Alexander Garvin argues, we need to understand how and why some American downtowns never stopped thriving, some are in decline, while still others, including Lower Manhattan, are resurging. In The Heart of the City, Garvin proffers how to plan for a mix of housing, businesses, and attractions; improve mobility; manage services; and enhance the public realm to ensure urban vitality.

Reservations are required, and priority is given to Members and Corporate Member firms and their employees. All guests MUST RSVP to programs@skyscraper.org to assure admittance to the event.

If cities are to be home to healthy downtowns, it is imperative to understand why some succeed, others are resurging after temporary contractions and still others have been continually declining for decades. The new book The Heart of the City diagnoses why places like Houston continue to thrive while Detroit and St. Louis stumble and offers a plan for housing, business and attractions that improves mobility and services. Come hear the steps necessary to improve our cities’ crucial urban cores. Co-presented by Island Press.

+ Alexander Garvin / author

Location

SPUR Urban Center

654 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-4015

Email address: publicprograms@spur.org

Phone: 415.781.8726

See map: Google Maps

Admission

free for SPUR members
$10 for non-members

Pre-registration is not required for this event.