ABSTRACT
Many cities that have emphasized tourism as an economic development strategy have, in turn, begun to experience substantial increases in their downtown residential populations. Th e transformation of central business districts to “downtown neighborhoods” has occurred in both major metropolitan centers such as San Diego and smaller regional hubs such as Greenville, South Carolina. Th ese new neighborhoods have been carved out of existing commercial and industrial properties via “loft conversion” and built anew by residential developers who once concentrated on suburban tract home development. Concerns over gentrifi cation have emerged as incumbent residents of transient hotels and remnant, working-class enclaves have been pushed out by more prosperous newcomers who are drawn to these areas and their improved amenities. Often, critics of the residential upgrading of downtowns note the absence of aff ordable housing in local redevelopment plans.
