Urban Problems and Community Development

by Ronald F. Ferguson, William T. Dickens

Overview

"In recent years, concerned governments, businesses, and civic groups have launched ambitious programs of community development designed to halt, and even reverse, decades of urban decline. But while massive amounts of effort and money are being dedicated to improving the inner-cities, two important questions have gone unanswered: Can community development actually help solve long-standing urban problems? And, based on social science analyses, what kinds of initiatives can make a difference? This book surveys what we currently know and what we need to know about community development's past, current, and potential contributions. The authors—economists, sociologists, political scientists, and a historian—define community development broadly to include all capacity building (including social, intellectual, physical, financial, and political assets) aimed at improving the quality of life in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. The book addresses the history of urban development strategies, the politics of resource allocation, business and workforce development, housing, community development corporations, informal social organizations, schooling, and public security.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815718758
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/01/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	644
Product dimensions:	6.01(w) x 8.99(h) x 1.48(d)

About the Author

"William T. Dickens, a senior fellow in the Economics Studies program at the Brookings Institution, was previously a senior economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers and professor of economics at the University of California, Berkeley. Ronald F. Ferguson has taught at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government since 1983 and is senior research associate at Harvard's Wiener Center for Social Policy."

Editorial Reviews

Asks whether community development actually helps solve long-standing urban problems, and looks at evidence from social science analysis to ascertain what types of initiatives can make a difference. Defines community development broadly to include all types of programs aimed at improving the quality of life in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, and addresses the history of urban development, politics of resource allocation, business and work force development, housing, community development corporations, and education. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

Booknews

"Combined, the essays and commentaries provide insights into ways to use community development initiatives to improve the quality of life in cities, especially central cities." —Louis F. Weschler, Arizona State University, The Social Science Journal, 9/1/2000

"The most substantial product to date of the National Community Development Policy Analysis Network.... The writing throughout is thoughtful and reflective. The authors and editors have succeeded in keeping the text nontechnical and free from jargon." —Avis Vidal, Urban Institute, APA Journal, 4/1/2001

"This book surveys what we currently know and what we need to know about communities development's past, current, and potential contributions." — 'DISP" Switzerland, no. 143; 2000

From the Publisher