Friday, July 25, 2003
Increasingly, EDPros in metro regions are going to be facing the challenges of redevelopment. The reason: Vacant land is getting harder to find.
I'm working in Charleston, SC this week, and we face this problem within the region. Growth in the outlying areas creates traffic problems and places severe stress on a fragile coastal environment. Public sentiment is clearly moving toward the idea of "quality" growth.
Redevelopment represents an important strategy for this region's future. The strategy ties into concepts of sustainability, but there are more short-term, practical considerations, as well. Traffic problems are growing, and developers are increasingly sensing opportunities for "in-fill" and redevelopment projects.
One obstacle: all of the state incentives are geared toward "greenfield" development of commercial and industrial properties. Another problem: redevelopment is inherently more complex and expensive.
Not surprisingly, this branch of economic development is more fully developed in the U.K. -- where it goes under the term, regeneration. But we are starting to see this topic emerge.
Learn more about this issue from thia article on redevelopment near Baltimore. Go.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
The move toward redevelopment strategies
