Older Industrial Cities

• Overview
• Philadelphia
• Newark
• Core Cities Initiative
• Smaller Cities

Overview

For all Americans to prosper, they must first have access to opportunity. Through living-wage jobs, viable housing choices, effective public transportation, good schools, safe and clean communities, and access to healthy food—all individuals can begin to secure economic and social success.

But to foster economic inclusion we must make sure that all people, regardless of race or socioeconomic status—have their voices heard. Integrating the poor into the regional economy not only serves to increase equity but also is necessary for the long-term growth prospects of the nation. Other essential elements of a twenty-first century urban economic development agenda include a modern and efficient infrastructure, workforce development systems, small business development programs, and high-quality educational and research institutions—all critical strategies for fostering inclusion as well as competitiveness.