The latest census count is no reason to count Cincinnati out. This river city of picturesque hillsides is blessed with enviable cultural and geographic assets. Last year's population loss of about 4,800 left Cincinnati, as of July 2003, with an estimated 317,361 people - down from 331,285 in 2000. Continued shrinkage strengthens the case for pursuing strategic redevelopment such as that led by Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC).

If Cincinnati works its strategies, revitalizing on many fronts, it will stabilize its population and achieve lasting recovery.

The 15-county region as a whole has grown to 2,047,333, with Warren County's city of Mason among the fastest growing in the state. Mason has gained 5,248 since 2000. But older suburbs ringing Cincinnati have suffered losses similar to the city's. Hamilton County lost 2.6 percent of its population in the same three-year period.

The outward movement is driven especially by higher-income families with school-age children. They go in search of "more house for the dollar," better schools, lower taxes, escape from city congestion. But fast growth soon brings rising taxes and congestion of its own.

Cincinnati still has much to brag about:

• A booming condo market.

• Hopeful new development arms in 3CDC and the Port Authority.

• The riverfront with new stadiums and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

• A convention center expansion in the works.

• An extraordinary lineup of refurbished arts institutions for a city this size.

• Global corporate headquarters.

• High-ranking universities.

But it's not enough to say the city is getting its act together. People need to see it.

3CDC has targeted three "precincts" for exactly that kind of "show-me" makeover: Fountain Square, Over-the-Rhine's Washington Park area and the new central riverfront neighborhood called the Banks. Make the Fountain Square district a year-round destination again, and that success will resonate far.

Over-the-Rhine, midway between downtown and Uptown's university-hospital district, is a population explosion waiting to happen. In the late 19th century, Over-the-Rhine was one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the country, and the movement back to create a new urban village there is under way, with arts schools, condo buyers, nightlife strips and high-tech offices. Who would have thought 10 years ago that the West End would be transformed, or that condos and other high-end housing would surge ever eastward along Eastern Avenue?

Development alone doesn't deliver population. Newport, with its booming levee complex, lost 4.7 percent of its residents since 2000. Cities need to build and rebuild urban villages.

A panel of International Economic Development Council experts this week advised Hamilton County officials to partner with Cincinnati on revitalizing such attractions as Over-the-Rhine and the central riverfront.

Respected leadership is part of the repopulation mix. Lead and they will come.