[audiobook] Houston Heights (Images of Modern America) by Anne Sloan at Arts-Photography

Description

In Saving Our Cities; William W. Goldsmith shows how cities can be places of opportunity rather than places with problems. With strongly revived cities and suburbs; working as places that serve all their residents; metropolitan areas will thrive; thus making the national economy more productive; the environment better protected; the citizenry better educated; and the society more reflective; sensitive; and humane.Goldsmith argues that America has been in the habit of abusing its cities and their poorest suburbs; which are always the first to be blamed for societys ills and the last to be helped. As federal and state budgets; regulations; and programs line up with the interests of giant corporations and privileged citizens; they impose austerity on cities; shortchange public schools; make it hard to get nutritious food; and inflict the drug war on unlucky neighborhoods.Frustration with inequality is spreading. Parents and teachers call persistently for improvements in public schooling; and education experiments abound. Nutrition indicators have begun to improve; as rising health costs and epidemic obesity have led to widespread attention to food. The futility of the drug war and the high costs of unwarranted; unprecedented prison growth have become clear. Goldsmith documents a positive development: progressive politicians in many cities and some states are proposing far-reaching improvements; supported by advocacy groups that form powerful voting blocs; ensuring that Congress takes notice. When more cities forcefully demand enlightened federal and state action on these four interrelated problemsmdash;inequality; schools; food; and the drug warmdash;positive movement will occur in traditional urban planning as well; so as to meet the needs of most residents for improved housing; better transportation; and enhanced public spaces.