Urbanization almost invariably accompanies development, and the cities of India and China are experiencing spectacular increases in population. The concentration of millions of people in a small mass creates challenges for public policy, especially in the areas of basic infrastructure, public health, traffic congestion, and often law enforcement…

The end of World War II heralded an era of urban disinvestment in the United States. While some cities began to rebound in the 1990s with population and economic growth, others--including large cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis as well as many smaller cities and towns--did not, and have continued to decline. As these communities…

This report examines education gaps and industry demand in the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas. Metropolitan areas are a natural unit of analysis given that they offer the best approximation of a regional labor market. Moreover, the wide variation in metropolitan area economic performance, as documented by the Brookings MetroMonitor…

Introduces a special, 20th-anniversary issue of "Urban Affairs Quarterly." Raises questions concerning the journal's function; the major factors affecting American urban areas; trends and projections for the future; significant policy initiatives; and research needs regarding cities and policymaking. (KH)

Traces the decline of national interest in the problems of cities since the abundance of federal legislation passed in response to the urban crisis of the 1960's. Asserts that, by the 1980's, economic changes had stimulated a new era of private sector domination in American cities. (KH)

The Urban Education Project was implemented to help the National PTA realize its historical commitment to reversing the deterioration of human life in urban centers, especially in schools, and to emphasizing the actual and potential strengths of diverse publics collaborating in dealing with urban problems. Six hearings were held to identify and…

Discusses the relationship of the economic conditions of cities to the national economy. A national urban policy is needed which would promote cooperation between business and government, increase investment in public facilities--roads, bridges, ports, etc.--and channel more resources to local governments. (AM)

Discusses factors which shaped the American city during the last 20 years, including those associated with demography, decreases in public spending on social services, changing international economy, the growing importance of self-interest groups, and the proliferation of urban policy initiatives. Outlines briefly some trends in urban research.…

Describes an advanced college course dealing with urban public policy in the United States. It assumes previous student work in political science and urban life. (RM)

This article discusses how the policy to allocate Community Block Grants has changed to the disadvantage of needier communmities as the result of demographic changes and an increase in entitlement communities. Options are presented for policy makers to change allocation so that more distressed communities will be targeted for funds. (VM)

The Responsive Public Services system of Savannah, Georgia, is described and evaluated. The system measures output equality of conditions in all city neighborhoods so that resources can be targeted according to need. The system is analyzed in terms of theoretical literature on equality and the determinants of urban public service delivery.…

Stressing the trend towards increasing concentration of the black population in urban ghettos, the author discusses the policies of "benign neglect" and "law and order" and advocates the development in Afro-Americans of maximum unity and social cohesion rooted in a consciousness of common purpose. (Author/JM)

In the 1980s, homelessness attracted considerable attention from the media, advocates, politicians, and the public. Virtually every sector of society and the government responded. Interest in the issue has waned considerably since then, but the problem continues growing, particularly in large urban areas. While public policies address the problem,…

Reviews problems associated with urban crime, describing the extent and costs of victimization and discussing criminal justice and health care approaches to reducing violence. Research suggests that the health care approach can successfully reduce crime and violence in African-American communities. Contains 53 references. (SLD)

Funding was received for a long overdue serious study of inner-city decay in Canada. Presented are the hypotheses and research methods for this projected study. The first policy challenge is providing evidence of the extent and seriousness of inner-city decay in Canada, particularly since urban difficulties are often presumed to be a problem in…