This book is about Clarksdale a small town in Mississippi USA and how the local community
has revitalised the long-dilapidated downtown with the renewal based on the town's intimate
association with Blues music and the culture that flows through the Mississippi Delta. John
Henshall highlights underlying trends in downtown decline and revitalisation in cities and
towns in America together with commentary of his own experience at home in Australia. In
Clarksdale downtown economic revitalisation gained momentum in the mid-2000s as local
residents and newcomers focused their entrepreneurial and creative efforts on promoting
Clarksdale's heritage which is steeped in Blues music and Delta culture. While much attention
to date has been given to large cities - from Sydney to San Francisco and from London to New
York - as 'creative cities' little has been written about creativity in small cities and
towns. This book delves into the positive role played by creative individuals in the economic
revitalisation of downtown Clarksdale. The role of urban planning and community interaction is
examined and key lessons are provided for other small cities and towns as they seek out
opportunities to revitalise their downtowns and town centres.
