Packaging the Place

Packaging the place

In comparing urban development between Tampa and Orlando we find many differences on how deal making is done and what method is used to attract business and development. In a more global context urban development has faced a colossal growth of urban entrepreneurialism, this because of first, the movement towards information based, service economies and second, the state has sort of given up the responsibility for the well-being of urban areas.

For a place to be distinguished in the market it has to create a sort of difference, something special to attract developers. This can be done in two closely connected ways. One is that place difference can be created based on past historic, cultural, or ancient feature (Ybor City). Secondly; place difference can be achieved based on an imaginary attribute, such as Disney World in Orlando. In the development process of Orlando, trying to change it from a post-industrial city to a point of attraction, Disney played a very important role. With the opening of Disney in 1971, Orlando experienced a rapid growth in population and a spectacular boom in economy. Along with the success many problems arose, such as, congestion and traffic. With such a development, Orlando created around the world an image of itself as the imaginary city and it attracted businesses and developers making surrounding cities (Tampa, for example) suffer to compete in the market. Facing this competition, Tampa struggled to create an image of a growing mid-size city in south Florida. Key factor to this was poor governance by two mayors and the exclusiveness of minorities and working class community from decision making and the development process.

As it has always been done, in Tampa all re-development decisions