The public health and economic crises caused by the coronavirus are threatening to further entrench inequality in America—between regions and within cities.

According to Clara Hendrickson and Mark Muro, "the pandemic might intensify the unevenness of America’s divergent economy, with disturbing implications."
Because the coronavirus first spread through affluent urban centers—San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City—some have wondered whether the pandemic would bring about a more geographically balanced economy by inspiring white collar workers will move in droves to less expensive parts of the country that could badly use the economic boost. "Don't bet on it," write Hendrickson and Muro. "Despite the increasing adoption of digital technology in American workplaces, economic activity has become more—not less—concentrated," according to the duo. As for why:
...while the density of large cities may be a disadvantage in fighting the spread of the coronavirus, it likely will remain an advantage in a 21st century knowledge economy, where the biggest places with the richest exchanges of ideas among highly educated workers have enjoyed the greatest economic returns.
The article also examines the pandemic's unequal consequences within cities (i.e., not just the inequality between cities and regions)—as neighborhoods in some of these cities, filled by blue collar workers keeping the economy afloat while bearing the brunt of the public health consequences of the pandemic.
FULL STORY: Will COVID-19 rebalance America’s uneven economic geography? Don’t bet on it.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop
When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras
The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants
The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis
Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.
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