Responding to Harsh Critiques of the American South

When the Washington Post used a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to conjure up a headline about the South being the "worst place to live," one southerner critiqued the article's methodology.

2 minute read

October 14, 2014, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Carol Guthrie, former assistant U.S. trade representative and current head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Washington Center (OECD), responds to an October 7, 2014 article on the Washington Post's Wonkblog that proclaimed that the South is the "worst place to live in the U.S." The OECD wrote the report, titled "How’s Life in Your Region," that provided the ammunition for the Wonkblog article, and Guthrie, a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee was compelled to respond:

It seemed less than ideal when Wonkblog suggested that OECD data had just condemned the American region that I come from as less livable than others. But what really struck a chord were the follow-up articles from publications such as the New Orleans Times-Picayune and the Anniston Alabama Star – stories that brought to the surface the conflicted feelings so many Southerners share:

We love our home but can never pretend it’s perfect.

It’s important to understand one thing: “How’s Life in Your Region,” our recent publication that served as the basis for the Wonkblog article, doesn’t actually offer any opinion about where it’s good or bad to live, whether in the South, Saskatchewan or East Slovenia.

Guthrie goes on to make the case that such reports are meant to inspire and inform, and that "many smart and dedicated policymakers across the South are already doing what the OECD encourages: advancing 'better policies for better lives.'"

Sunday, October 12, 2014 in The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

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.