'Incubators For the American Dream' Are Shrinking

Across the nation, middle class neighborhoods are shrinking as cities and suburbs become increasingly segregated by income.

1 minute read

June 27, 2006, 9:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"...poor and rich neighborhoods are both on the rise, as cities and suburbs have become increasingly segregated by income, according to a Brookings Institution study released last week...Widening income inequality in the United States has been well documented in recent years, but the Brookings analysis of census data uncovered a much more accelerated decline in communities that house the middle class...

The decline of middle-income neighborhoods may also be a consequence of increased economic opportunity and residential mobility, especially for upper-income minorities, said Joel Kotkin, an urban historian and senior fellow at the New America Foundation...

The Brookings study says that increased residential segregation by income can remove a fundamental rung from the nation's ladder for social mobility: moderate-income neighborhoods with decent schools, nearby jobs, low crime and reliable services."

Sunday, June 25, 2006 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

Rendering of proposed modern glass high-speed rail station in Houston, Texas.

Amtrak Takes Lead on Texas Central Rail

The high-speed rail project isn’t a done deal, but if it moves forward, trains could begin operating in 2030.

1 minute ago - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of mid-rise brick buildings in Portland, Maine on waterfront.

Maine Approves Rent Relief Program

Legislators hope the assistance program will help struggling low-income households avoid eviction.

1 hour ago - The Portland Press Herald

Empty hallway lined with white tile in subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How Transit Architecture Impacts Real and Perceived Safety

More than a third of Americans believe major transit systems are too unsafe to ride. The built environment can change that.

2 hours ago - WHYY

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.