Urban Issues Absent On Campaign Trail, Although Edwards Has Plans

City Limits magazine recently completed a review of the 18 presidential candidates' stances on urban issues, and the major news is that there is no news. Most domestic issues, let alone those related to cities, don't even appear on the candidates' -- or the media's -- radar screens. Their article quotes a political scientist who "says 2008 is shaping up as 'yet another gigantic referendum on Bush and Iraq.'" The bright spots? Although Bill Richardson has advocated for greater energy conservation and public transportation, John Edwards has articulated an intriguing plan to end poverty in the U.S. by 2036 and overhaul the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

2 minute read

June 2, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By David Gest


City Limits magazine recently completed a review of the 18 presidential candidates' stances on urban issues, and the major news is that there is no news. Most domestic issues, let alone those related to cities, don't even appear on the candidates' -- or the media's -- radar screens. Their article quotes a political scientist who "says 2008 is shaping up as 'yet another gigantic referendum on Bush and Iraq.'" The bright spots? Although Bill Richardson has advocated for greater energy conservation and public transportation, John Edwards has articulated an intriguing plan to end poverty in the U.S. by 2036 and overhaul the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Briefly, the highlights of Edwards' plans, as described on the campaign website:

  • Ending poverty by 2036: Create 1 million temporary, "stepping stone" jobs for the unemployed, lasting for up to one year; raise the minimum wage to at least $7.50; expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to cover both single and married adults better
  • Overhauling HUD: End the creation of new site-specific public housing in favor of additional housing vouchers, up to 1 million over five years; re-fund the HOPE VI program; promote regional decision-making on affordable housing distribution

While the merits of some of these strategies are certainly debatable, and the content has been reduced to talking point-size paragraphs on Edwards' website, the effort is encouraging. Most impressive, nearly all the plans cite studies by the Government Accounting Office, HUD, and the Brookings Institution, among other think tanks, suggesting that Edwards would actually take the time to listen to such reports while in office.

Ultimately, though, in order to raise awareness of urban issues and promote concrete action, such as increasing funding for HUD programs, we can't wait for the candidates to lay out an agenda for helping our cities. The media needs to increase its reporting on problems of affordable housing, unemployment, sprawl, and environmental degradation, and ask the candidates directly about them. As the presidential campaign rolls on, I encourage this blog's writers and readers to submit op-eds to your local paper or write letters to the editor on planning issues that you care about. Better yet, attend campaign events in person, and ask the candidates directly if they have a plan to end poverty in the U.S., and what they'd like to do about HUD, among other planning concerns.


David Gest

David Gest is pursuing a dual degree in Law and City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Originally from Washington, D.C., he received a bachelor's degree in architecture with a focus in urban studies from Yale University in 2003. After graduation, David moved to Los Angeles and joined the historic preservation consulting firm Chattel Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Inc. In 2006, David worked for Planetizen as Managing Editor after working part-time as Associate Editor for two years.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight