Knowledge Center
Economic Development
A primary objective for place managers is fostering a healthy, sustainable, diverse and prosperous economy for the managed place. The place manager collaborates and works closely with various levels of local and regional economic development organizations, developers, real estate brokers, private firms, philanthropic foundations, destination management organizations, non-profits, and state and federal government agencies, while representing the specific and unique needs, challenges and trends of the managed place.
Additionally, the place manager will work to recruit and retain businesses, conduct market research, encourage a strong local workforce, maintain a diverse mix of commercial and residential development, and facilitate a built environment that is accessible for all users to live, work, play, visit and invest.
Advancing Places: Investing Downtown
In spring and summer of 2024, six urban place management leaders from around the U.S. worked collaboratively to define critical investment issues facing UPMOs. Learn about their conclusions regarding office to housing conversions, retail reinvigoration, shifts in messaging and the internal structure of the traditional UPMO.
Read MoreEmptying Houses of Worship – Strategies for Downtowns
The tsunami of emptying houses of worship engulfing the U.S. and Canada requires place management professionals and volunteers to reach out to the faith community, understand the regulatory environment, and consider creative solutions to what is becoming one of downtowns’ top challenges.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Community-Centered Economic Inclusion
This session addressed lessons from a community-centered economic inclusion initiative in Detroit and Puget Sound. It focuses on bridging the gap between underinvested areas and regions of opportunity, offering a framework for inclusive economic revitalization and connecting business districts with local residents.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Preventing the Demise of Catalytic Downtown Projects
Catalytic projects are often stymied by community resistance. What does it take to gain support from city leaders and residents? What role do BIDs play? Learn about approaches to this work that are driven by data and consensus building to ensure public support is there to help you get past the finish line.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Premier Innovation Districts Stand Up!
Innovation Districts are vibrant, urban places that catalyze collaboration and drive competition. But what are the key ingredients to really sustain success and tout this coveted title? Listen to insights from leaders to see what it takes to be a premier innovation district.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
From Ancestry to Adventure: Trends in Legacy Travel
Today, 1 in 3 Americans believe that heritage travel is one of the most meaningful ways to connect with their roots and uncover individual identities. Learn key takeaways to inform a strategy that embraces the history of place through marketing and legacy tourism travel.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Where Local Talent Meets Economic Opportunity
A partnership out of University City District brings together industry, economic development and workforce partners to connect local under-represented talent into the booming life sciences manufacturing industry.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Hello, Retail, My Old Friend
As post-pandemic challenges continue, one trending recovery strategy involves retail – a downtown ecosystem staple. Landlords securing deals are leveraging ground floor retail as an amenity for upstairs tenants, advancing leasing.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
University Partnerships for Economic Development
Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) has forged a partnership with George Mason University to implement impactful initiatives. Together, they aim to advance FCED’s objectives, focusing on business investment, real estate development, retail growth and government contracting, fostering a thriving local economy.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
Vacancy to Vibrancy – The Case for Office Conversions
A growing number of office-to-residential conversion programs have received international attention for their success at rapidly decreasing office vacancies while delivering much-needed downtown housing stock. Learn about innovative tactics to leverage adaptive reuse as the groundwork for a revitalized downtown core.
We’d love for you to see this member-only resource to help make a difference in your district. Make sure you are logged in or join IDA to learn more about how members get sh*t done!
