Phoenix cities: The fall and rise of great industrial cities

Description

'Weak market cities' across European and America, or 'core cities' as they were in their heyday, went from being 'industrial giants' dominating their national, and eventually the global, economy, to being 'devastation zones'. In a single generation three quarters of all manufacturing jobs disappeared, leaving dislocated, impoverished communities, run down city centres and a massive population exodus. So how did Europeans react? And how different was their response from America's? This book looks closely at the recovery trajectories of seven European cities from very different regions of the EU. Their dramatic decline, intense recovery efforts and actual progress on the ground underline the significance of public underpinning in times of crisis. Innovative enterprises, new-style city leadership, special neighbourhood programmes and skills development are all explored. The American experience, where cities were largely left 'to their own devices', produced a slower, more uncertain recovery trajectory. This book will provide much that is original and promising to all those wanting to understand the ground-level realities of urban change and progress.

Anne Power is Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and a visiting senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington. She was author of City Survivors (The Policy Press, 2007). Jorg Ploger completed his PhD at Kiel University, Germany in 2006 and worked on the Weak Market Cities programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science from 2006-2009. He is now at the Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development (ILS) in Dortmund, Germany. Astrid Winkler did an MSc in Social Psychology at London School of Economics and Political Science and worked on the CASE Neighbourhood Study before helping Anne Power set up the Weak Market Cities programme.

"It is vital that urban policy-makers learn the right lessons from past failures- and past successes. Anne Power's new book is a rich source for anyone who cares about the future of cities." Howard Davies, Director London School of Economics and Political Science "As we embark on a new era of urbanism, based on resilience, equity and sustainability, there's so much to learn from these 'Boom, Bust and Recover' case studies. A hugely insightful piece of work." Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future