The Crisis of America's Cities: Solutions for the Future, Lessons from the Past

by Randall Bartlett

Overview

An original work on American cities and the ongoing "urban crisis". Using the metaphor of the socially constructed organization of space, Bartlett takes a broad view of the evolution of urban America, from its historical roots to the present; he then examines the way in which current policies have responded to, and affected the organization of space (covering housing, transportation, government and other urban problems). He concludes with a look to the future of American cities, how they will impact and be impacted on by changing commercial and labor markets, by the problems of poverty and cultural change. In an epilogue, he explores possible ways to overcome the "social dilemmas", while recognizing the difficulty of this undertaking.

A thoroughly unique perspective to the study of cities, this book is about how space is used in America and how it changes as the "logic of location" evolves historically. Starting with the assumption that cities are fundamentally unnatural" phenomena, it unravels the interactions of technological advances that have made them possible and policies that have given them shape.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765603012
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/1998
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1290L (what's this?)

Table of Contents

Part 1 Exploring Cities; Chapter 1 Cities in America; Chapter 2 Unnatural Aggregations and Natural Perceptions; Part 2 The Path from the Past; Chapter 3 Wind, Wagon, and Water; Chapter 4 Water, Water, Everywhere; Chapter 5 Electricity and Steel; Chapter 6 From the Great War to the Great Society; Part 3 The Role of Policy; Chapter 7 Urban Housing; Chapter 8 Housing Policies and Prices; Chapter 9 Getting Around Urban Transportation Policy; Chapter 10 Governing Sprawl; Chapter 11 Mapping Explored Space; Part 4 Prospects for the Future; Chapter 12 Looking Ahead; Chapter 13 Two Tales of a City; Chapter 14 Two Tales of a City; Chapter 15 Epilogue;

Editorial Reviews

Using a metaphor of exploring space as it is socially organized in cities, the author begins by examining the evolution of urban America from the colonial era to the present, emphasizing how both technological change and public policies have affected the shape of cities. He concludes by exploring future prospects for cities as the national economy and its labor markets continue to evolve. He stresses that solutions must come from adapting cities to the future. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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