Place Matters: Metropolitics for the Twenty-First Century (Studies in Government and Public Policy) - Softcover

Dreier, Peter; Mollenkopf, John; Swanstrom, Todd

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0700619275 ISBN 13: 9780700619276

Publisher: University Press of Kansas, 2014

Synopsis

How can the United States create the political will to address our major urban problems—poverty, unemployment, crime, traffic congestion, toxic pollution, education, energy consumption, and housing, among others? That's the basic question addressed by the new edition of this award-winning book. Thoroughly revised and updated for its third edition, Place Matters examines the major trends and problems shaping our cities and suburbs, explores a range of policy solutions to address them, and looks closely at the potential political coalitions needed to put the country's "urban crisis" back on the public agenda.

The problem of rising inequality is at the center of Place Matters. During the past several decades, the standard of living for the American middle class has stagnated, the number of poor people has reached its highest level since the 1960s, and the super-rich have dramatically increased their share of the nation's wealth and income. At the same time, Americans have grown further apart in terms of where they live, work, and play. This trend—economic segregation—no longer simply reflects the racial segregation between white suburbs and minority cities. In cities and suburbs alike, poor, middle class, and wealthy Americans now live in separate geographic spaces.

The authors have updated the case studies and examples used to illustrate the book's key themes, incorporated the latest Census data, and drawn on exit polls and other data to examine the voting patterns and outcomes of the 2012 elections. They have expanded their discussion of how American cities are influenced by and influence global economic and social forces and how American cities compare with their counterparts in other parts of the world. And they draw upon the latest research and case studies not only to examine the negative impacts of income inequality and economic segregation, but also assess the efforts that civic and community groups, unions, business, and government are making to tackle them.

Fully up to date and far richer and more provocative, this new version surpasses its previous editions and will continue to be an essential volume for all who study urban politics and care about our cities.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Dreier is Dr. E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics and director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Program at Occidental College. John Mollenkopf is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Sociology and director of the Center for Urban Research at CUNY Graduate Center. Todd Swanstrom is Des Lee Endowed Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration at Saint Louis University.

Review

"Notable for its accessibility and clarity, Place Matters is also a compelling narrative, demonstrating collective and wide-ranging knowledge of the American city."--Economic Geography

"The authors have uncovered a vast array of important empirical questions that should inform the urban research community and urban planners."--Journal of Politics

"One of the strongest volumes on metropolitan affairs in recent years. Deserves a broad readership."--Urban Ecology

"No better summary exists of 'progressive' thinking on urban policy. Highly recommended."--Choice

"For anyone concerned about the future of America's cities."--U.S. Mayor

"A more level economic playing field for poor citizens of cities and inner-ring suburbs isn't just some liberal cause. It's critical to all Americans' futures. To work, strategies need to be federal, state, and metro-region wide. Place Matters. This book gets it, and lays out the basic arguments in brilliant fashion."--Neal Peirce, coauthor of Citistates

"A brilliant and important piece of work. Deeply informed, penetrating in its analysis of the problems of economic segregation and spatial inequalities, and bold yet practical in its search for solutions and proposals for reform. Place Matters is one of the best books of applied social science I have ever read."--Richard DeLeon, author of Left Coast City: Progressive Politics in San Francisco, 1975-1991

"An important book. Dreier, Mollenkopf, and Swanstrom have creatively diagnosed one of the most important domestic problems of the twenty-first century. This thoughtful volume is bound to become a standard reference for students, scholars, and the lay public who seek a broader understanding of the rising economic segregation in our nation's metropolises and how to confront it."--William Julius Wilson, author of When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of Kansas
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0700619275
• ISBN 13: 9780700619276
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 496