Governance and Opportunity in Metropolitan America : Governmental Arrangements and Individual Life Chances in Urban America

by National Research Council (U. S.) Committee on Improving the Future of; National Research Council (U. S.); Altshuler, Alan A.; National Research Council (U. S.) Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

• ISBN13: 9780309065535
• ISBN10: 0309065534
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

America's cities have symbolized the nation's prosperity, dynamism, and innovation. Even with the trend towardb suburbanization, many central cities attract substantial new investment and employment. Within this profile of health however, many urban areas are beset by problems of economic disparity, physical deterioration, and social distress. This volume addresses the condition of the city from the perspective of the larger metropolitan region. It offers important, thought provoking recommendations for changing the structure of metropolitan-level decisionmaking, reducing the disadvantages faced by cities and city residents, and expanding economic opportunity to all residents in a metropolitan area. The book provides data, real-world examples, and analyses in key areas: -- Distribution of metropolitan populations and what this means for city dwellers, suburbanites, whites, and minorities. -- How quality of life depends on the spatial structure of a community and how problems are based on inequalities in spatial opportunity -- with a focus on the relationship between taxes and services. -- The role of the central city today, the rationale for revitalizing central cities, and the prospects for success. In reaching its conclusions, the committee evaluates the pros and cons of a range of strategies that have been proposed or tried in efforts to improve metropolitan governance and reduce disparities in metropolitan areas.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
PART I: GOVERNANCE AND OPPORTUNITY IN METROPOLITAN AMERICA
Executive Summary	3	(10)
Introduction	13	(9)
Central Cities, Suburbs, and Metropolitan-Area Problems	22	(18)
Disparities in Outcomes	40	(39)
Strategies for Reducing Disparities	79	(37)
Recommendations for Research and Policy Choices	116	(208)
References	135	(16)
PART II: IN-DEPTH PERSPECTIVES
Does the American Way of Zoning Cause the Suburbs of Metropolitan Areas to be too Spread Out?	151	(41)
William A. Fischel
Spatial Stratification Within U.S. Metropolitan Areas	192	(21)
Ingrid Gould Ellen
The Geography of Economic and Social Opportunity in Metropolitan Areas	213	(40)
Keith R. Ihlanfeldt
Metropolitan Limits: Intrametropolitan Disparities and Governance in U.S. Laboratories of Democracy	253	(43)
Michael A. Pagano
Regionalism in Transportation and Air Quality: History, Interpretation, and Insights for Regional Governance	296	(28)
Martin Wachs
Jennifer Dill
Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff	324	(7)
Index	331