Economic Value of Urban Design

The relationship between urban design and economic activity is seldom studied through empirical and scholarly research with a large number of cities due, in part, to the implicit and intangible nature of design. This book explores and evaluates this complex relationship with reference to the 136 Texas Main Street Program districts in order to shed some light on the broader question as to whether urban design generates economic value. First, the design, promotion, organization, and economic restructuring components of the Main Street Program 's comprehensive four-point approach were surveyed in the active districts. Next, the economic changes that took place within these districts were analyzed. Finally, a variety of citywide economic indicators were compared for a five-year period among three categories of cities: those active in the Main Street Program, those formerly active but now inactive, and those who have not participated. This book reveals the types of changes that occurred in the components of the four-point approach in relation to the local economic activity within the Main Street districts and cities in Texas. It should be especially useful to scholars, professionals, and decision makers in Architecture, Design, and Planning fields, or anyone who have vested interests in urban design and economic value.