Revitalization efforts in downtown areas have gained momentum in recent decades, this document focuses on revitalization strategies, recognizing the process of decline, while identifying key strategies used in the efforts of downtown revitalization over the last fifty years (Faulk 2006). Urban centers, unlike suburban shopping centers or office complexes, have evolved slowly over time, responding to changes in technology and social and economic patterns. A city's identity relies heavily on the image of its downtown, so cities of all sizes inevitably strive for successful downtown redevelopment (Robertson 1995). Reading the literature on the revitalization of urban centers, a series of strategies and principles emerged. Many of the principles overlap to create a successful redevelopment strategy, and there is no one blueprint for success. The strategies I have identified and will explore are classified into groups: 1) Pedestrian Mall; 2) Indoor shopping malls; 3) Historic preservation; 4) Coastal development; 5) Office development; 6) Special activity generators; 7) Transportation improvements; and 8) Niche strategies. This paper will highlight the successes and failures of each strategy, then use case studies to show how they have been applied in American cities. Case studies will include; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona, all of which have made great efforts over the past 40 years to revitalize their urban centers. The Emergence and Decline of America's Urban Centers To provide perspective on the development of America's urban centers, I have identified phases and eras throughout history that have had a major impact on their development. There has been an extensive literature on the development... middle of paper... ions for America. 2003. “Vital Economy”. Solutions for America University of Richmond. http://www.solutionsforamerica.org/viableecon/downtown-revitalization.html accessed October 3, 2011. Robertson, Kent A. 1995. “Downtown redevelopment Strategy in the United States an end-of-the-century Assessment.” Journal of the American Planning Association61:4 1995. pp. 429–437. Robertson, Kent A. 1997. “Downtown Retail Revitalization: A Review of American Development Strategies.” Planning Perspectives 12 1997. pp 383-401.Ward, David. 1971. Cities and Immigrants: A Geography of Change in Nineteenth-Century America. New York: Oxford University Press.West, Darrell M. Orr, Marion. 2003. “Downtown Malls as Engines of Economic Development, Community Spirit, and Political Capital.” Economic DevelopmentQuarterly 17:2 2003. pp. 193-204.