With researching suggesting international immigration can kick-start local economies, cities across America are contemplating efforts at attracting, and retaining, immigrants. But are immigrants the silver bullet to revive declining cities?
A least a portion of what makes Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco such economic powerhouses may come from the fact that they're prime gateways for international immigration. "A study by David Dyssegaard Kallick of the New York-based Fiscal Policy Institute examined the experience of the 25 largest metropolitan areas, starting in 1990," reports Bloomberg's Shikha Dalmia. "He found that wherever there was economic growth, there was immigration, and wherever there was immigration, there was economic growth."
Although cities are recognizing that immigrants "are a net boon -- not a burden -- for local economies," as Dalmia notes, "[t]hey aren't the engine for growth. They are only the fuel, albeit a high-octane one. The difference is crucial."
As Dalmia reports, a study conducted in 2003 by Sanda Kaufman, a professor of planning, policy and public administration at Cleveland State University, questioned the effectiveness of using immigration as a tool for urban renewal. Nonetheless, policies to attract and retain immigrants are gaining in popularity in many cities, especially those struggling to reverse decades of declining populations.
FULL STORY: Immigrants Can’t Save U.S. Cities by Themselves

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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont