Building ‘College Town’: Economic redevelopment and the construction of community

Abstract

In theory, universities and college towns have a mutualistic relationship. However, the reality is far more complex and imbalanced. Our research examines the extent to which redevelopment projects are place-making, place marketing, or community-building projects. Can investment in infrastructure create community? To answer this question, we look at the relationship between the city of Kent, Ohio and Kent State University. As the college grew in the manufacturing town, tensions between the city and campus rose and were solidified with the 1970 shooting of students by the Ohio National Guard. After a $110M downtown redevelopment project, a 2013 New York Times article declared a healing of this town/gown divide, crediting the university and city partnership in redeveloping downtown. Interviews with key stakeholders consider the extent to which success of this project is measured by the construction of a college town community.