Baltimore Unbound: A Strategy for Regional Renewal

by David Rusk

In his highly acclaimed book, Cities without Suburbs , former Albuquerque mayor David Rusk explained why regions with wealthy suburbs surrounding a poor central city face continuing economic hardship. Now, in Baltimore Unbound , he applies his ideas in an illuminating study of Baltimore's continuing economic stagnation, offering a frank assessment of its causes and possible solutions. Placing the study in the context of national urban issues, Rusk reviews similar problems and remedial efforts in other cities. Published by the Abell Foundation.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read--but outdated and a pipe dream when it was written. The concept does work, the solution well researched and the ghettoization of the entire region's poor is still a problem. But the city has changed rapidly since then, losing another hundred thousand people before stabilizing and getting a new influx of affluence (which has always been around just outside the borders, as Baltimore metro's per capita income is much more in line with Seattle and Philadelphia [falling between the two] than Indianapolis, Jacksonville, or especially Detroit, as Rusk and others like to reference). This book is only from a university press, but it could use an update discussing the possibility that the city, with smart planning and placement, could have the opportunity at some point solve this problem itself, rather than relying on the tax money of those who fled two counties away. Meanwhile: more TIF credits for luxury condos...