Municipal Approaches to Economic Development: Growth and Distribution Policy

Abstract

Separate but related policy debates have focused attention on problems associated with urban poverty and urban economic development. Links between the two debates are beginning to be forged. In this article I discuss ways in which administrations in large cities participate in the planning and implementation of economic development activities. I focus on the extent to which efforts are made to direct some of the economic development benefits created to black, Hispanic, low income, and other economically disadvantaged residents. While some of the administrations examined follow the “corporate-center” policy approach emphasizing the promotion of growth and real estate development, most combine elements of this approach with elements of a more distributive approach emphasizing the creation of benefits for economically disadvantaged residents.