Saving Our Cities

A Progressive Plan to Transform Urban America

By: William W. Goldsmith

Narrated by: Peter Lerman

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In Saving Our Cities, William W. Goldsmith shows how cities can be places of opportunity rather than places with problems. With strongly revived cities and suburbs, working as places that serve all their residents, metropolitan areas will thrive, thus making the national economy more productive, the environment better protected, the citizenry better educated, and the society more reflective, sensitive, and humane.

Goldsmith argues that America has been in the habit of abusing its cities and their poorest suburbs. As federal and state budgets, regulations, and programs line up with the interests of giant corporations and privileged citizens, they impose austerity on cities, shortchange public schools, make it hard to get nutritious food, and inflict the drug war on unlucky neighborhoods.

Goldsmith documents a positive development: progressive politicians in many cities and some states are proposing far-reaching improvements, supported by advocacy groups that form powerful voting blocs, ensuring that Congress takes notice. When more cities forcefully demand enlightened federal and state action on these four interrelated problems - inequality, schools, food, and the drug war - positive movement will occur in traditional urban planning as well, so as to meet the needs of most residents for improved housing, better transportation, and enhanced public spaces.

©2016 Cornell University (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"This is an important book that should improve the way we think about urban policy." (Edward G. Goetz, University of Minnesota)

"A fresh and welcome contribution to our study of cities, planning, and change." (Norman Krumholz, Cleveland State University)