A recent opinion article by Richey Piiparinen of the Center for Population Dynamics at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University says “Cleveland's negativity is a challenge to the city's future.”
In reacting to the recent launch of the “Positively Cleveland” campaign, Richey Piiparinen finds fault in the "nattering nabobs of negativism" he believes to be holding back the city.
In starting a new era for the city, Piiparinen agues that “what's missing from the equation is that deciding on whether or not to invest in Cleveland is made through a perceptual lens. After all, cities are like stocks, and whether or not Cleveland is a ‘bull’ or ‘bear’ market depends partly on the vibe given off.”
The article provoked critics on Twitter, such as Angie Schmitt, who pointed to a recent study finding that 53.9 percent of children in Cleveland live in poverty. Schmitt's thoughts on the power of positive thinking:
So what do you think? Where does the time for positive reinforcement end and the time for sober assessment begin, or vice versa?
FULL STORY: The remake by the lake: Richey Piiparinen
‘This is Cleveland’ Rebranding Appeals to Millennials, Hipsters
Positively Cleveland, Northeast Ohio’s tourism bureau, has launched a new campaign, “This is Cleveland,” that takes a new tack in selling the region not for its orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but rather for its warts and all.
A Look at the Country's Worst Municipal Branding Campaigns
Grist has asked its readers to help it compile some of the country's "most craptastic urban rebranding efforts ever." And boy have they delivered.
On the Ethos of City Branding: Or, Trying versus Being
As Cleveland takes on yet another effort in "rebranding", Richey Piiparinen looks at past schemes and finds it's better to keep it real.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service