Clinton, Katz Comment On 'First Suburb' Report

Neither fully urban nor completely suburban, America's older, inner-ring, "first" suburbs have a unique set of challenges—such as concentrations of elderly and immigrant populations as well as outmoded housing and commercial buildings—very different from those of the center city and fast growing newer places.

Yet first suburbs exist in a policy blindspot with little in the way of state or federal tools to help them adapt to their new realities and secure a role as competitive and quality communities. A new paper by Robert Puentes, and a related symposium attended by Bruce Katz, Senator Hillary Clinton and Representative Michael Turner defines first suburbs throughout the nation, examines their similarities and differences, and, finally, sets out a policy agenda tailored specifically to these distinctive places.

From the report's conclusion:

"A recent survey of urban scholars ranked the deterioration of first suburbs as one of the most likely influences on metropolitan America for the next 50 years. And although there is a common experience among many first suburbs, it is generally not recognized or voiced on the national level. Yet creating polices tailored to the needs of first suburbs is critical for a real metropolitan reform agenda that aims to change growth patterns, promote reinvestment in core communities, and increase opportunities and incomes for low income working families.

In many metropolitan areas, first suburbs may now be uniquely positioned to exert a positive influence on a range of policy issues. It is our hope that through this work a national discussion will flourish around these special places. As it stands, a new century demands a new vision for first suburbs so they can remain quality communities, compete with newer suburbs, and realize their economic and physical potential."