This year’s Top Issues Council Briefs focus on how UPMOs adapt to growing challenges in place management.

Beyond the Pop-Up: Addressing Persistent Storefront Vacancy 

• Persistent vacancies represent more than just empty storefronts—they signal disruption, uncertainty and lost potential. But they can also serve as invitations to adapt policies, reimagine space and realign tools with today’s realities. This brief highlights a simple truth: no single strategy solves vacancy—but intentional coordination can. Explore the ways downtowns have integrated retail strategy with capital planning and investment, regulatory reform and UPMO coordination to build more resilient retail ecosystems. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.   
• IDA would like to thank Downtown Decorations for their generous support of the Retail Beyond Pop-Ups Council. Downtown Decorations offers premier decor services with a global portfolio. Whether for winter, spring, summer, or International Waffle Day, they’re here to help. From shopping centers and downtowns to zoos and casinos, every project we undertake is expertly customized to meet the location and placemaking needs. To learn more visit www.garrettatddi.com. 

Inclusive Events Primer 

• Inclusive events—where everyone feels welcomed, represented and valued—play a vital role in strengthening community engagement in downtown districts. True inclusion grows from integrating diversity into every aspect of planning, from brainstorming to execution. This brief explores how to produce events that prioritize equity, diversity, accessibility, mental health and overall wellbeing. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.   
• IDA would like to thank District360 for their generous support of Inclusive Events Top Issues Council. District360 is the only Salesforce-based software customized for placemakers to manage stakeholder data the way you want, unify siloed operations, and get the right analytical insights to drive economic growth and provide the services your community needs. District360 makes downtowns smarter and more efficient with centralized data and intelligence. To learn more, please visit www.district-360. 

Increasing Stakeholder Engagement for District and Organizational Growth 

• It’s a persistent question for urban place management organizations: How can we identify and cultivate champions for our district? Engaged stakeholders are key. They bring their own strengths to the organization, take ownership of the health of the district, dive into UPMO initiatives and recruit others. Explore different strategies to turn the four types of stakeholders—board members, property owners, professionals and residents—into champions for the organization and the district. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 
• IDA would like to thank Uncommon Bridges for their generous support of the Engaging Stakeholders Council. Uncommon Bridges builds vibrant, just, and thriving communities by braiding inclusive process, consensus leadership, impactful organizations, and meaningful places into everything we do. Our experts help you form strategic plans, cultural placemaking, assessment districts, public decisions, and equitable engagement toward collective action. To learn more visit www.uncommonbridges.com. 

Police Partnerships 

• Urban districts need effective UPMO/police partnerships more than ever. Recognizing the resources, knowledge and unique roles of both UPMOs and law enforcement, cities across North America have begun adopting more holistic, collaborative and innovative approaches to community safety. Police/UPMO partnerships boost downtown safety—and perceptions of safety—for residents, visitors and workers. Learn about key strategies, examples and insights for developing strong partnerships between UPMOs and law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of shared goals, trust and open communication. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.
• IDA would like to thank Block by Block for their generous support of the Police Partnerships Council. Block by Block creates vibrant public spaces through tailored Ambassador Programs. With a passion for downtowns and urban areas, we harness creativity and best practices to deliver turnkey solutions for cleaning, safety, hospitality, landscaping, and outreach. Our programs help partners cultivate welcoming, thriving environments. To learn more visit www.blockbyblock.com/our-services. 

This year’s Top Issues Council Briefs cover a variety of emerging topics and pressing issues that many UPMOs are facing. 

Mental Health Needs of Our Downtown Ambassadors 

•  From witnessing violent crimes to cleaning up human waste, more ambassadors each year find themselves in situations that take a toll on their well-being—and may grapple with feelings of stress, burnout, or emotional distress as a result. This brief describes how organizations are investing in supporting mental health for these critical employees and downtown stewards. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 
• IDA would like to thank Block by Block for their generous support of this Top Issues Council. With more than 20 years of experience, Block by Block continues to set the standard for providing cleaning, safety, hospitality, landscaping and outreach solutions for public spaces with in-depth training, industry-best recruiting practices and an innovative operating model. Through our passion for downtowns and urban areas, we harness our creativity and draw upon best practices to create highly effective, turnkey programs for our partners. To learn more, please visit www.blockbyblock.com. 

The State of DEI – and the External and Internal Decisions Impacting UPMOs 

• The Inclusive UPMOs Top Issues Council examines both external and internal influences on DEI initiatives, and how UPMOs must navigate competing priorities to foster DEI practices in their own unique environments. This brief also proposes a blueprint for action to achieve DEI goals. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.   
• IDA would like to thank Uncommon Bridges for their generous support of this Top Issues Council. Uncommon Bridges builds vibrant, just, and thriving communities by braiding inclusive process, consensus leadership, impactful organizations, and meaningful places into everything we do. Established in 2009 as BDS Planning & Urban Design, the firm specializes in strategic planning, cultural placemaking, assessment districts, public decisions, and equitable engagement toward collective action. To learn more, please visit www.uncommonbridges.com.  

Empowering Urban Management Through AI: Enhancing Efficiency and Engagement 

• Urban place management professionals, businesses and community leaders must recognize AI’s potential to transform a broad range of activities, making it essential to harness its benefits while remaining vigilant about the potential risks its use can bring. This brief explores AI’s potential to enhance productivity, boost innovation and expand the capacity of UPMOs. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 
• IDA would like to thank Downtown Decorations for their generous support of this Top Issues Council. Downtown Decorations is a premier provider of decor services with a portfolio spanning projects around the globe. If you are looking for decor for winter, spring, summer, or to be the best-decorated city on the International Waffle Day, don’t hesitate to call us. From shopping centers and downtowns to zoos and casinos, every Downtown Decorations project is completely customized to fit the location and placemaking needs. To learn more, please visit www.garrettatddi.com.  

Downtown Investment: Adapting to a Post-Pandemic Environment 

• Shifting work patterns, downsizing, flight to quality and weak leasing markets have raised concerns about downtowns’ economic resilience, urban vibrancy, talent retention, and community engagement. This brief reviews the role of UPMOs, examining challenges facing both office and retail markets. Additionally, it offers examples and practical tools that can be tailored to individual districts because geography, local assets and partnerships all help determine how each UPMO can best empower stakeholders to make informed and strategic decisions that enhance the downtown economy and larger community. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.   

Balancing Innovation and Authenticity: Integrating AI in Place Marketing 

• AI’s evolution continues to offer more sophisticated resources for marketers. AI tools can be trained to analyze data, generate ideas, craft initial drafts, optimize content for different platforms and more—but human insight remains crucial to shaping this output and infusing it with authenticity.  This brief advocates a balanced approach in which AI complements—but cannot replace—human creativity.  The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.   

This year’s Top Issues Council Briefs focus on the innovations in programs and services that many UPMOs provide.

Changing Environment for Ambassadors  

• The Ambassadors Council explored how ambassador job responsibilities have expanded, work culture has changed and new technologies have become more critical to improving operations and responding to changing community needs. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 
• IDA would like to thank Block by Block for their generous support of the Ambassador Council. Block By Block is a one-stop solution for safety, cleaning, hospitality, landscaping and social service outreach programs for improvement districts. Through our passion for downtowns and urban areas we harness our creativity and draw upon best practices to create highly effective programs. We’ve built a mindset and a culture designed to continually enhance our customers programs. To learn more, please visit www.blockbyblock.com.

Middle Housing 

• The Missing Housing Council studied how UPMOs can advocate for updating local housing policies and zoning codes to allow for more varieties of housing. Middle housing, in particular, can deliver big benefits for a downtown and urban district’s economic viability. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 

Scalable Innovations in Placemaking 

• The Scalable Innovations in Placemaking Council examined approaches to placemaking for organizations and communities of all sizes. The report brief shares ideas for creating small-scale installations, using technology to identify needs and develop programming (such as with AR), and spurring placemaking from the private-sector. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 

The pandemic and its lingering effects have forced UPMOs and other downtown stakeholders to view the city through a different lens. This year’s Top Issues Council report briefs focus on innovations in programs and services that many UPMOs provide.

Evolving Homeless Services

• The Evolving Homeless Services Council explained the importance of supporting homeless services to increase individual and public health and safety. The brief offers examples and resources to help place managers launch or enhance services addressing the chronically homeless in their communities through counting high mortality rates, addressing escalated behavior, bridging the services gap and advocacy. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 

Inclusive Entrepreneurship 

• The Inclusive Entrepreneurship Council explored successful methods UPMOs have used to support inclusive entrepreneurship by improving capital readiness, easing access to commercial spaces, and developing programs for business retention and sustainability. These strategies represent a renewed focus on clearing paths to property ownership and wealth generation for underrepresented groups to help close a significant economic gap for the entire center city. The brief is available on IDA’s publications page. All Top Issues Council report briefs are free for IDA members. 
• In January 2024, the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Top Issues Council report was chosen for publication in the Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal by Henry Stewart Publications. Congratulations to the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Council!

Parking & Mobility

• The Parking & Mobility Council explored curbside management, mobility hubs, land use and policy, and parking management and how UPMOs can take direct action and advocate with partners for equitable and thriving districts. These strategies for placemaking investments, paired with an emphasis on multimodal mobility can help create better streets, more vibrant urban places, and permanent economic benefits. The brief is available on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 

Bold Placemaking

• The Bold Placemaking Council examined how placemaking has evolved since the onset of the pandemic, particularly in the areas of expanding UPMOs’ role in placemaking for economic development and reclaiming public spaces for people. Public spaces need to serve more needs than ever before, whether it’s keeping struggling restaurants afloat by replacing curb space with patio seating or acknowledging the demands of community by relinquishing public spaces for commemoration and protest. The brief is available on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members. 
• In January 2024, the Bold Placemaking Top Issues Council report was chosen for publication in the Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal by Henry Stewart Publications. Congratulations to the Bold Placemaking Council!

Sustainability Council

• The Sustainability Council examines how to integrate the principles of sustainability and resilience into the work of UPMOs. The report makes the business case for UPMOs to invest in sustainability and resilience measures by highlighting the economic, environmental and social benefits. Future reports from this council will provide specific approaches, tools and case studies to advance sustainability and resilience efforts in districts. The first report, Sustainability & Urban Place Management, is available on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

The 2019 Councils explored the following topics and release reports with meaningful tools and case studies for place management organizations.

Housing Attainability Council

• The Housing Attainability Council demonstrates how urban place management organizations of all sizes and resource levels can play a role in encouraging more housing at a variety of price points and of varying styles. The report, Housing Attainability: How UPMOs Can Support A Diversity of Housing in Their Districts, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Municipal Partnerships Council

• The Municipal Partnerships Council examines the fundamental nature of working relationships between UPMOs and governments to identify the best practices for producing the most beneficial and enterprising partnerships. The report, Municipal Partnerships: A Toolkit for Municipal & Urban Place Management Organization Relationships, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

This year brought together 45 members serving on the following six Councils to write reports with sharing case studies, resources and solutions.

Economic Development Council

• The Economic Development Council explores the creative financing strategies, economic development tools and incentives that district advocates and place management organizations employ to improve the economic health of a place. The report, How We Do Economic Development: Best Practices and Trends for Place Management Organizations, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Inclusive Places Council

• The Inclusive Places Council explores the role of place management organizations in navigating challenges around social equity and inclusion in rapidly transforming cities. The report, Inclusive Places: Prioritizing Inclusion and Equity in the Urban Place Management Field, is available for purchase on our publications page.

Nighttime Economy Council

• The Nighttime Economy Council explores best practices and strategies for managing a healthy nighttime economy at the district level. The report, Nighttime Economy: A Guidebook for Emerging, Growing and Established Nighttime Districts, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Parking Management Council

• The Parking Management Council explores the role place management organizations play in parking management and providing parking solutions at the district level. The report, Adjusting to the Changing Parking Landscape: How to Best Position Your District for Success, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Place Branding Council

• The Place Branding Council explores the features that make downtowns and urban spaces unique among others – those quirky spaces and interesting places that define an urban experience. Best practices, lessons learned, and surprising tips can assist planners in defining strategies for physical manifestations of their community’s cultures in public spaces in a powerfully authentic way. The report, Place Branding: Best Practices and Strategies to Brand and Market Your District, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Urban Mobility Council

• The Urban Mobility Council explores the role place management organizations play in planning and implementing projects that improve connectivity in city centers including public transportation, bike infrastructure, transportation network companies and autonomous vehicles and how UPMOs can assist with transportation projects at every level – working with the community, government entities and transportation agencies. The report, Urban Mobility: The Role of Urban Place Management Organizations in Prioritizing Connectivity, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

In 2017, over 50 IDA members served on six Councils, each authoring a guidebook for sharing trends and recommendations.

Alley Activations Council

• The Alley Activations Council explores a problem that urban place management organizations can creatively and efficiently address – the activation of alleyways and so-called micro-spaces in central urban cores or downtown districts. The report, From Dumpsters to Biergartens: Case Studies in Alley Activations, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Bicycle Improvements and Policy Council

• The Bicycle Improvements and Policy Council explores areas in which urban place management organizations can make significant contributions to improving conditions for bicycling through education, advocacy and incentive programs. The report, A Path Towards Better Bicycle Infrastructure: A Guidebook for Urban Place Management Organizations, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Diverse Retail Mix Council

• The Diverse Retail Mix Council addresses how to help urban place management organizations understand where and how revitalization is happening and how to encourage retail diversity in their work. UPMOs are uniquely suited to champion the diversity of their district’s retail offerings, while both affirming the authenticity of the place and focusing the market demand. The report, Achieving and Maintaining a Diverse Retail Mix: Strategies & Insights for Place Management Organizations, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Homelessness Council

• The Homeless Council explores comprehensive approaches in addressing the issue of homelessness for urban centers across the world. While the policy approaches are not simple, the council advocates for a declaration of four principles for urban place management organizations to use which inspire engaged and active urban centers. The report, Homelessness in Urban Districts: Principles & Implications for Place Managers, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Safety and Security Council

• The Safety and Security Council explores tools for strategic safety planning for urban place management organizations and their role in emergency response, crime prevention and technology for communication. The report, Downtown Districts at the Table: Planning for Safety and Security, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Urban Parks Council

• The Urban Parks Council explores the definition of a great urban park, how it works, and how it is funded. The Council addresses how current and potential park stakeholders can advance collaboration and capacity building within the management of an urban park to maximize benefits, while equitably and intelligently sharing costs and responsibilities to create dynamic, thriving spaces that are accessible to all. The report, A Practical Guide to Great Urban Parks: How to Benefit from and Finance your Urban Park, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

In its inaugural year, 47 IDA members and industry experts collaborated on the following six Councils and produced reports with meaningful tools for IDA members to use in their daily work.

Authenticity Council

• The Authenticity Council explores elements and practices that contribute to the authenticity of a place, geared towards benefiting the daily work of city builders, planners, place managers and community leaders. The Council aims to help stakeholders understand the fundamentals of their downtown and recognize the characteristics that build authenticity. The report, Maintaining Authenticity of Place, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Commercial Development Council

• The Commercial Development Council provides an overarching view of the evolution of commercial development throughout the past fifty years. The Council explores the role of urban place management organizations in attracting commercial investment and recommends solutions, tools and resources for UPMOs. The report, Attracting Commercial Development: Tools and Case Studies, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Downtown Residential Council

• The Downtown Residential Council explores the importance of residential activity in downtowns and urban districts. The report, Living Downtown: The New Residential Paradigm, is available for purchase on our publications page.

Partnerships for Place Management Council

• The Partnerships for Place Management Council explores how place management organizations utilize public-private partnerships (P3) as a method to advance city-building goals by leveraging the unique expertise and strengths that partners have. The report, Partnerships for Urban Place Management, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Pedestrian Improvements Council

• The Pedestrian Improvements Council explores the pedestrian experience through the lens of education, planning, enforcement and technology. The Council addresses challenges and provides case studies and potential paths to follow to created successful pedestrian facilities. The report, Prioritizing Pedestrian Improvements, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.

Public Spaces Council

• The Public Spaces Council explores creative placemaking and public space activation as a key ingredient in the recipe for successful revitalization. The report, Activating Public Spaces: A Guidebook for Urban Districts, is available for purchase on our publications page. All Top Issues Council reports are free for IDA members.