Down to a population of 197,859 from its 1960 peak of 290,351, the city of Akron is looking for a way to bring people back to its community. One thing Akron has going for it already: an enthusiastic champion of the cause.
Rick Armon reports on a plan to increase the population of Akron, Ohio to 200,000 by 2020 and 250,000 by 2050.
The plan is credited to Jason Segedy, known by Planetizen readers as the blogger behind Notes from the Underground. Segedy also led the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) before joining new Mayor Dan Horrigan’s cabinet this month, according to Armon, and now he's put together a plan to bring people back to Akron.
Armon breaks down Segedy's plan into bullet points, abridged here, but with more detail in the article:
- Quality housing
- Attractive neighborhoods
- Working with entrepreneurs
- Welcoming returning population
- Welcoming immigrants
The article includes interviews with many local stakeholders and residents, as well as academic perspectives from researchers at Cleveland State University and Akron University.
FULL STORY: Akron looks to increase its population
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