Part One: The State of America's Cities
Conclusion
The problems discussed here reveal another fundamental mismatch that further widens the opportunity gap that central cities and their residents face: while economic markets and social maladies transcend the boundaries of individual jurisdictions, the public policies and public resources needed to manage them effectively too often do not. Whether one lives in the city, suburb, small town, or rural county -- each of us has a stake in ensuring that the challenges confronting cities are met. The regional economies that are the source of our Nation's economic vitality cannot remain strong with decaying cities at their core. However, healing the heart of our metropolitan systems demands that every segment of our society -- business, community groups, individual citizens, government at every level -- work together to overcome the obstacles that prevent cities from achieving their potential. Part Two of this report further describes the Clinton-Gore Administration's response to each of the three opportunity gaps and outlines the Administration's commitment to serving as a catalyst in this effort, removing barriers to opportunity and equipping people and communities with the tools and incentives they will need to succeed.
|
| 
