Downtown Revitalisation and Delta Blues in Clarksdale, Mississippi: Lessons for Small Cities and Towns [Paperback]

This book is about Clarksdale, a small town in Mississippi, USA, and how the local community has revitalised the long-dilapidated downtown, with the renewal based on the towns intimate association with Blues music and the culture that flows through the Mississippi Delta. John Henshall highlights underlying trends in downtown decline and revitalisation in cities and towns in America, together with commentary of his own experience at home in Australia.

In Clarksdale, downtown economic revitalisation gained momentum in the mid-2000s as local residents and newcomers focused their entrepreneurial and creative efforts on promoting Clarksdales heritage, which is steeped in Blues music and Delta culture. While much attention to date has been given to large cities  from Sydney to San Francisco and from London to New York  as creative cities, little has been written about creativity in small cities and towns. This book delves into the positive role played by creative individuals in the economic revitalisation of downtown Clarksdale. 

The role of urban planning and community interaction is examined, and key lessons are provided for other small cities and towns, as they seek out opportunities to revitalise their downtowns and town centres.

Preface.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Downtown Decline and Revitalisation: National Trends and Clarksdales Experience.- 3 Delta Blues and Culture.- 4 Clarksdale, the Delta and the Economy.- 5 Businesses in Downtown Clarksdale.- 6 Clarksdale and Tourism.- 7 Creative People in Downtown Revitalisation: The Theory.- 8 Clarksdales Champions and Creative People: The Reality.- 9 Planning for Economic Development and Downtown Revitalisation.- 10 Community Views on Downtown Revitalisation.- 11 Clarksdales Experience in Downtown Revitalisation: An Overview.- 12 Lessons in Downtown Revitalisation for SmalcŠ