The Face of American Cities
The face of American cities has changed dramatically over the course of the past several decades. The nation has become increasingly urban over that span, but the role of cities has changed. At one point, American cities were thriving centers of trade and industry. This was followed by the rise of suburbia, white flight and urban decay. Today, many cities have become renewed, and urban America is once again a vital driver of culture and industry. Not all cities, however, have joined in this renewal. Many still stand in decay, plagued by issues of crime, poverty, undereducation and neglect. It is vital that American cities not only survive but thrive. They are the economic and cultural engines of the nation. This paper will examine the changes in America's cities in recent decades, the impact they have on the nation and ultimately sort out who is responsible for ensuring the health of our cities.Cities have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. The post-war era was marked by significant 'white flight' to the newly-developed suburbs. As wealthier families left the cities, they were replaced primarily by the poor, and by immigrants. This reduced the wealth of cities dramatically, resulting in increased pov
Many cities saw declines in population over this period - Detroit and Buffalo for example have seen their urban populations cut in half since 1950. Socialized health care programs are funded and run by the city, county and state, the specifics varying by jurisdiction. This in turn drives the economy by offering a range of benefits, including the ability to draw on a large labor pool, the ability to support niche businesses. Given the importance of cities to the health of the nation, common goals are required and greater coordination is necessary to ensure that those goals are achieved. Also, cities are more efficient users of energy than rural and suburban areas, so thriving cities are important to energy policy. Education is run by school boards, which are run at the local level but financed at the state level. This relationship has resulted in difficulties with redevelopment projects because of competing priorities (Dimapindan, 2008). This policy led to the urban decay witnessed in the last half of the 20th century. Moreover, cities are more in tune with the drivers of the 21st century, including knowledge-based industries and the service sector. The responsibility for key quality of life elements such as health care and education falls under multiple jurisdictions. In any given city there are multiple bodies with different responsibilities, the picture at the national level is even less coherent. The 21st century American economy is driven largely by consumption, rather than production. The strength of urban areas is directly related to the strength of the nation. Those cities that have relied on a manufacturing base as the driver of their economy, such as the aforementioned Detroit and Buffalo, have struggled to retain population and influence. This represents a significant shift in the economic role of cities.
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Acceptance Essays
