Intown Living: A Different American Dream

After decades of abandonment, cities across North America are experiencing a renaissance. A new generation is seeking greater excitement and diversity than the typical suburban subdivision offers and many people are instead looking to make their homes in lively urban environments.

In Intown Living, authors Ann Breen and Dick Rigby document this movement, arguing that if properly nurtured, it could help slow current patterns of sprawling development and help revitalize America's cities. They illustrate the many benefits of city living and offer strategies and encouragement for public officials and private developers to team up and expand central city housing opportunities.

The authors present in-depth studies of eight cities--Atlanta; Dallas; Houston; Memphis; Minneapolis; New Orleans; Portland, Oregon; and Vancouver, British Columbia--that are experiencing this type of renaissance, and consider common elements shared by the cities, as well as their differences.

Intown Living is an important new resource for a wide audience of professionals involved with urban design and planning. It will also be of interest to the many people concerned with historic preservation or smart growth, and for students and researchers involved with urban studies and related fields.

Documents the people who are moving into cities, what the neighborhoods are like, and how city leadership and the marketplace are making it happen.

ANN BREEN is founder and co-director of the Waterfront Center, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., since 1981. The Center organizes an annual international conference on urban waterfront planning, development, and culture, conducts an international awards program, and does community consulting.

DICK RIGBY is founder and co-director of the Waterfront Center, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., since 1981. The Center organizes an annual international conference on urban waterfront planning, development, and culture, conducts an international awards program, and does community consulting.