Past Trends and Future Prospects of the American City: The Dynamics of Atlanta

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David L. Sjoquist
Rowman & Littlefield, 2009 - Business & Economics - 332 pages
Atlanta's experience over the past 15 to 20 years is reflective of many cities, particularly those in the south and west. Thus, the story of how and why Atlanta has changed is informative for cities in general. What accounts for the positive turn-around of the city of Atlanta? What can other cities learn from Atlanta's experience? This collection examines changes in the city of Atlanta over the past three decades and explores the factors associated with the observed changes. Beginning with several essays that take a broad focus on the city's demographics and the city's economy, the contributions then focus on more specifics aspects of urban development, such as the changing face of retailing; income and poverty; race and ethnicity; the arts; transportation; and housing and gentrification. Later chapters assess the future prospects for the city. Together, the contributions paint a picture of how the city of Atlanta has changed, why it has changed, and its future prospects. The implications for other major metropolitan centers are broad, and the lessons learned are of relevance to anyone interested in the economic and social health of cities.
 

Contents

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF TRENDS
1
An Introduction
3
Atlantas Future Convergence or Divergence with Other Cities?
13
THE ECONOMY
49
Tracking the Economy of the City of Atlanta Past Trends and Future Prospects
51
Retail Concentration and Place Identity Understanding Atlantas Changing Retail Landscape
85
AIR AND TRANSPORTATION
105
Air Today Gone Tomorrow Atlantas Air Quality Past and Future
107
The Creative Class and Economic Growth in Atlanta
163
Recent Trends and Future Prospects for Low Income Working Families in Atlanta
181
RACE AND ETHNICITY
203
Black White and Browning How Latino Migration is Transforming Atlanta
205
Atlanta and the Dream Race Ethnicity and Recent Demographic and Socioeconomic Trends
219
GENTRIFICATION AND REVITALIZATION
249
The Development Redevelopment and Gentrification of Atlantas Housing 19802007
251
Exploring Mixed Income Neighborhoods in Atlanta 19702010
291

Transportation Issues and Opportunities Facing the City of Atlanta
133
WORKERS
161
Exploring Civil Rights Heritage Tourism and Historic Preservation as Revitalization Tools
309
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About the author (2009)

David L. Sjoquist is Dan E. Sweat Distinguished Chair in Educational and Community Policy and professor of economics at Georgia State University.

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