Once the American Dream : Inner-Ring Suburbs of the Metropolitan United States

At one time, a move to the suburbs was The American Dream for many families. However, despite the success of Levittown, impoverished 'inner-ring' suburbs - those closest to the urban core of metropolitan cities - like Lansdowne, MD, are in decline. As aging housing stock, foreclosures, severe fiscal problems, slow population growth, increasing poverty, and struggling local economies affect inner-ring suburbs, what can be done to save them? "Once the American Dream" analyzes this downward trend, examining 5,000 suburbs across 100 different metropolitan areas and census regions in 1980 and 2000. Hanlon defines the suburbs' geographic boundaries and provides a ranking system for assessing and acting upon inner-ring suburban decline. She also illuminates her detailed statistical analysis with vivid case studies. She demonstrates how other suburbs, particularly those in the outer reaches, flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. "Once the American Dream" closes with a discussion of policy implications and recommendations for policymakers and planners who deal with suburbs of various stripes.

at One Time, A Move To The Suburbs Was The American Dream For Many Families. However, Despite The Success Of Levittown, New York, Impoverished Inner-ring Suburbs-those Closest To The Urban Core Of Metropolitan Cities-like Lansdowne, Maryland, Are In Decline. As Aging Housing Stock, Foreclosures, Severe Fiscal Problems, Slow Population Growth, Increasing Poverty, And Struggling Local Economies Affect Inner-ring Suburbs, What Can Be Done To Save Them?

once The American Dream Analyzes This Downward Trend, Examining Five Thousand Suburbs Across One Hundred Different Metropolitan Areas And Census Regions In 1980 And 2000. Hanlon Defines The Suburbs' Geographic Boundaries And Provides A Ranking System For Assessing And Acting Upon Inner-ring Suburban Decline. She Illuminates Her Detailed Statistical Analysis With Vivid Case Studies. She Also Demonstrates How Other Suburbs, Particularly Those In The Outer Reaches Of Cities, Flourished During The 1980s And 1990s. Once The American Dream Closes With A Discussion Of Policy Implications And Recommendations For Policymakers And Planners Who Deal With Suburbs Of Various Stripes.

"At one time, a move to the suburbs was the American Dream for many families. However, despite the success of Levittown, New York, impoverished "inner-ring" suburbs - those closest to the urban core of metropolitan cities - like Lansdowne, Maryland, are in decline. As aging housing stock, foreclosures, severe fiscal problems, slow population growth, increasing poverty, and struggling local economies affect inner-ring suburbs, what can be done to save them?" "Once the American Dream analyzes this downward trend, examining five thousand suburbs across one hundred different metropolitan areas and census regions in 1980 and 2000. Hanlon defines the suburbs' geographic boundaries and provides a ranking system for assessing and acting on inner-ring suburban decline. She illuminates her detailed statistical analysis through vivid case studies. She also demonstrates how other suburbs, particularly those in the outer reaches of cities, flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. Once the American Dream closes with a discussion of policy implications and recommendations for policymakers and planners who deal with suburbs of various stripes."--Jacket At one time, a move to the suburbs was the American Dream for many families. However, despite the success of Levittown, NY,impoverished “inner-ring” suburbs—those closest to the urban core of metropolitan cities—like Lansdowne, MD, are in decline. As aging housing stock, foreclosures, severe fiscal problems, slow population growth, increasing poverty, and struggling local economies affect inner-ring suburbs, what can be done to save them? Once the American Dream analyzes this downward trend, examining 5,000 suburbs across 100 different metropolitan areas and census regions in 1980 and 2000. Hanlon defines the suburbs'geographic boundaries and provides a ranking system for assessing and acting upon inner-ring suburban decline. She also illuminates her detailed statistical analysis with vivid case studies. She demonstrates how other suburbs, particularly those in the outer reaches of cities, flourished during the 1980s and 1990s. Once the American Dream closes with a discussion of policy implications and recommendations for policymakers and planners who deal with suburbs of various stripes. Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 List of Tables......Page 12 Acknowledgments......Page 14 1. Once the American Dream......Page 20 2. Decline Is a New Suburban Reality......Page 31 3. Defining Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 47 4. Forces Shaping Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 58 5. Sidestepping Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 74 6. Declining Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 88 7. Suburbs in Crisis......Page 110 8. Different Types of Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 129 9. Fixing Inner-Ring Suburbs......Page 151 10. Conclusion......Page 170 Appendix......Page 178 References......Page 206 Index......Page 218 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 List of Tables 12 Acknowledgments 14 1. Once the American Dream 20 2. Decline Is a New Suburban Reality 31 3. Defining Inner-Ring Suburbs 47 4. Forces Shaping Inner-Ring Suburbs 58 5. Sidestepping Inner-Ring Suburbs 74 6. Declining Inner-Ring Suburbs 88 7. Suburbs in Crisis 110 8. Different Types of Inner-Ring Suburbs 129 9. Fixing Inner-Ring Suburbs 151 10. Conclusion 170 Appendix 178 References 206 Index 218 1592139361,9781592139361 Temple University Press 2009