Making Cities Work: Prospects and Policies for Urban America Paperback - 2009

From the rear cover

"Making cities work is hard work. This book offers a thoughtful collection of new information and creative solutions that can advance the progress of our cities--and improve the quality of life in our nation. It is a must-read for those who want to lead our cities and help our nation."--Edward G. Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania and former mayor of Philadelphia

"This volume brings together provocative insights from the top urban scholars on how to make American cities better places to live and work. It is a must-read for those who care about cities."--Alice M. Rivlin, Brookings Institution

"This essay collection bristles with common sense--and even optimism. Reviewing the successes and failures, the authors conclude that cities need less from federal government, not more. What cities really need is a high quality educational system, a skilled work force, and an efficient, flexible transportation system. If the city gets all that right, it can make the successful transition from manufacturing to a modern service economy."--Paul Peterson, Harvard University

"An invaluable contribution that injects data and original research from leading analysts into the theoretical debates about the proper role of cities in today's economy. These essays cut through much of the speculation and guesswork about the causes and consequences of urban distress and give us a much clearer basis for addressing the social and economic issues of urban life over the coming decade."--Clayton Gillette, New York University School of Law

"This book is brimming with interesting ideas about how to make cities work better--from improving education and reducing crime to financing city services more effectively. Making Cities Work is sure to stimulate thought about ways to enhance the functioning of urban areas in America."--John Quigley, University of California, Berkeley

"An excellent book. Making Cities Work seeks to address a central question: what is it about successful cities that leads to growth and prosperity while other cities stagnate and decline? The unifying characteristics of all the chapters are that they are policy oriented and fairly informal--experts writing with attitude on topics they know well. I learned a lot."--Brendan O'Flaherty, Columbia University

Media reviews

Citations

• Choice, 07/01/2009, Page 0