The purpose of this research is to understand if and how downtown university campuses contribute to mid-size city downtown revitalization, how this contribution is measured, and the implications for planning practice and planning theory. To address this research question, a mixed methods approach was used which included a literature review, the use of two case studies, a survey administered to downtown businesses, a web-based survey administered to students, faculty and staff and interviews conducted with municipal planners. The two case studies were: Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Social Work (WLU FSW) in downtown Kitchener, Ontario and the University of Waterloo's School of Architecture (UW SA) in downtown Cambridge, Ontario. The findings of this research indicate that downtown university campuses do contribute to downtown revitalization in mid-size cities. The WLU FSW and UW SA campuses are not, however, a panacea for their respective downtowns, nor are they significant contributors to downtown retailing or a major catalyst. Rather, the WLU FSW and UW SA campuses act as stabilizing influences on the downtown, bringing confidence to and about the downtown for residents, potential downtown visitors and potential downtown investors. They are examples of revitalization strategies that contribute to the improved reputation of the downtown and city. They are strategies that build on existing downtown strengths (e.g. adaptive re-use of heritage buildings, the complementing of existing businesses and services) and they are part of a larger community vision for these downtowns. The WLU Faculty of Social Work campus and the UW School of Architecture campus are both examples of effective and successful university-community partnerships. Recommendations based on the findings of this research are provided for municipalities, planning practitioners and academics. This research contributes to the limited but expanding literature on mid-size cities, mid-size city downtown revitalization and university-community partnerships. Recommendations for further research are also provided.

Urbanization. Millennials (born 1984-2002) are migrating to large cities (urbanization) while the population of smaller towns is dwindling (Duljsens, 2010). Across the United States, there are also vibrant universities housed within the city limits of several small towns (Perry & Wiewel, 2005). Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find blight and vacant buildings in a downtown area that is only a few miles from a prosperous university; the disparities of vacancy against dense activity are perplexing. The purpose of this research study is to determine what unique benefits that a local university can contribute toward the revitalization of a small town -- in particular, the courthouse square area. Effective revitalization has the potential to impact a city's economy, attract and retain younger residents, and benefit the local university. Marion, Indiana. The platform for this research was Marion, Indiana. It is a small town with a rich history of manufacturing and whose population has reduced dramatically in the last two decades to less than 30,000 people. Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) resides in Marion; it houses over 3,000 students on a 320 acre campus. Marion residents and civic leaders (aged 18-100) and IWU residential campus students and administrators (aged 18-65) serve as the sample for this study (see Figure 1). Design Thinking. Research was conducted over a three month period concluding with a presentation to the city of Marion and the IWU administrative leadership. A combination of literature review, precedent studies, and data collection utilizing design thinking methods comprehensively contributed to the findings. Design thinking requires the participation of stakeholders to work alongside designers for an empathic process that eliminates risk of assumptive conclusions. Various design thinking strategies revealed preferences for revitalization by stakeholders; these strategies were conducted -- the Looking (inspiration), Understanding (ideation), and Making (implementation) phases -- with multiple individuals. Universities and Cities. "Factories have left the cities. Regional department stores have been displaced by national chains & rban universities, however, rarely abandon their cities" (Perry & Wiewel, 2005, p. xi). This study suggests the stability of a university can contribute to successful revitalization of a small city's courthouse square. Such influence has the potential to impact the towns' economy, benefit the local university, retain younger residents (i.e., university graduates and Millennials), and promote a vibrant community for permanent residents of all ages.

This collection evaluates the various strategies that different cities have used when attempting to economically revitalize downtown areas.

Small and midsized cities played a key role in the Industrial Revolution in the United States as hubs for the shipping, warehousing, and distribution of manufactured products. But as the twentieth century brought cheaper transportation and faster communication, these cities were hit hard by population losses and economic decline. In the twenty-first century, many former industrial hubs—from Springfield to Wichita, from Providence to Columbus—are finding pathways to reinvention. With innovative urban policies and design, once-declining cities are becoming the unlikely pioneers of postindustrial urban revitalization. Revitalizing American Cities explores the historical, regional, and political factors that have allowed some industrial cities to regain their footing in a changing economy. The volume discusses national patterns and drivers of growth and decline, presents case studies and comparative analyses of decline and renewal, considers approaches to the problems that accompany the vacant land and blight common to many of the country's declining cities, and examines tactics that cities can use to prosper in a changing economy. Featuring contributions from scholars and experts of urban planning, economic development, public policy, and education, Revitalizing American Cities provides a detailed, illuminating look at past and possible reinventions of resilient American cities. Contributors: Frank S. Alexander, Eugenie L. Birch, Paul C. Brophy, Steven Cochrane, Gilles Duranton, Sean Ellis, Kyle Fee, Edward Glaeser, Daniel Hartley, Yolanda K. Kodrzycki, Sophia Koropeckyj, Alan Mallach, Ana Patricia Muñoz, Jeremy Nowak, Laura W. Perna, Aaron Smith, Catherine Tumber, Susan M. Wachter, Kimberly A. Zeuli.