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The Fall of Great American Cities: A Long Tail of Decline

Jeremy Cook

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Published in The Fall Of A Great American City: New York And The Urban Crisis Of Affluence

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The fall of great American cities is a long and complex story, with many factors contributing to their decline. From economic restructuring to white flight to suburbanization, the challenges faced by these cities have been immense. But there are also stories of hope and renewal, as cities across the country are working to revitalize their downtowns and create more vibrant and sustainable communities.

The Fall of a Great American City: New York and the Urban Crisis of Affluence

by Kevin Baker

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	178 pages

Economic Restructuring

One of the biggest factors contributing to the decline of great American cities was economic restructuring. In the decades after World War II, the American economy underwent a significant shift from manufacturing to services. This shift led to a decline in jobs in traditional manufacturing centers, such as Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. As jobs left these cities, so did people. The population of Detroit, for example, declined by more than half between 1950 and 2010.

Economic restructuring also led to a decline in tax revenue for cities. As businesses left, they took their tax revenue with them. This made it difficult for cities to provide essential services, such as education, police, and fire protection. The decline in tax revenue also made it difficult for cities to invest in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and parks.

White Flight

Another major factor contributing to the decline of great American cities was white flight. In the decades after World War II, white families began to move out of cities to the suburbs. This trend was driven by a number of factors, including fear of crime, racial integration, and the desire for a better quality of life. White flight led to a decline in the population of cities, as well as a decline in the tax base. This made it even more difficult for cities to provide essential services and invest in infrastructure.

Suburbanization

The growth of suburbs also contributed to the decline of great American cities. Suburbs offered white families a number of advantages, including more space, better schools, and lower crime rates. As a result, many families chose to move to the suburbs, even if it meant a longer commute to work. The growth of suburbs led to a decline in the population of cities, as well as a decline in the tax base. This made it even more difficult for cities to provide essential services and invest in infrastructure.

The Challenges of Urban Renewal

In the 1950s and 1960s, the federal government launched a number of urban renewal programs in an effort to revitalize declining cities. These programs included slum clearance, public housing, and highway construction. However, these programs often had unintended consequences, such as the displacement of low-income residents and the destruction of historic neighborhoods. In many cases, urban renewal programs actually made the problems of declining cities worse.

Stories of Hope and Renewal

Despite the challenges they face, many great American cities are working to revitalize their downtowns and create more vibrant and sustainable communities. These cities are investing in new infrastructure, such as parks, libraries, and museums. They are also working to attract new businesses and residents to their downtowns. In some cases, cities are even using innovative approaches, such as green infrastructure and community-based planning, to address the challenges of urban decline.

The fall of great American cities is a long and complex story, but it is also a story of hope and renewal. Cities across the country are working to revitalize their downtowns and create more vibrant and sustainable communities. These efforts are essential to the future of our cities and our nation.