The article doesn't address this, but one way to renew older industrial cities would be to connect these cities to more vibrant cities through better public transportation.

For instance, both Lowell and Worcester in MA are each less than 50 miles from Boston, when measuring city center to city center. Both cities fell on hard times in the 20th century, but reliable rail with 20-30 minute travel times is technical feasible and would do wonders for both cites, not to mention help relieve the severe housing shortage around Boston.