The Quest to Confront Suburban Decline

Abstract

The social and economic decline of first-tier suburbs has emerged as an important issue in metropolitan America, yet little is known about the political and policy responses to this problem. An analysis of Baltimore County demonstrates that the local government was able to implement revitalization projects from 1995 to 2005 since it had jurisdiction over its first-tier suburbs. Characteristics such as a large population in both first-tier and outer suburbs, an affluent tax base, and the lack of municipalities allowed Baltimore County to redistribute funds for these projects. I argue that if policymakers and planners are serious about confronting suburban decline, then either a regional growth boundary or a regional zoning tool is necessary to slow the pressures of urban decentralization. The political realities suggest that the will to maintain local autonomy is stronger than the will to eliminate the real barriers to revitalizing first-tier suburbs.

Who Buys Foreclosed Homes? How Neighborhood Characteristics Influence Real Estate-Owned Home Sales to Investors and Households

“…In other words, communities with older residents may be among the least desirable for those seeking either to invest in a home or to purchase it as an owner-occupier. Recent studies have noted that inner-ring suburbs that are characterized by an older, homogenous housing stock have struggled with an aging population, as well as population loss and disinvestment (Hanlon, 2009;lee & leigh, 2007;, Vicino, 2008). Vacant REO properties in these neighborhoods may prove particularly difficult to reoccupy.…”

“…These include social variables such as the African American population, the latino population, the population over 65 years of age, the population in poverty, and the percentage of renter-occupied units. Previous studies have pointed out that neighborhoods with aging populations could indicate places that are not in demand by younger households (Hanlon, 2009;Vicino, 2008). In addition, the housing crisis has changed the tenure mix of many neighborhoods, inasmuch as units that were previously owneroccupied have been transformed into rentals.…”

Rescaling Europe: Effects of Single European Market Regulations on Localized Networks of Governance in Land Development

“…For local authorities the territorial dimension may also play a prime role as cross‐border issues may hamper policies to address urban issues. Excessive municipal fragmentation may be a hindrance to compact urban development policies (Razin and Rosentraub, 2000) and to the regeneration of older suburbs (Vicino, 2008). Another dimension is the tension between locally derived territorial policies and centralized sectoral approaches by vertically integrated policy communities (Vigar and Healey, 1999; Mawson and Hall, 2000).…”

Governed Through Ghost Jurisdictions: Municipal Law, Inner Suburbs and Rooming Houses

“…Inner suburbs 3 directly surround the city, have a working-and middle-class history, and for the most part were built in the postwar period between 1940 and 1950 (Harris, 1996;Hanlon, 2010). Throughout North America they have experienced socio-economic decline as evidenced by poor investment in older houses and (Harris and Larkham, 1999;Lucy and Phillips, 2000;Hanlon and Vicino, 2007;Short et al, 2007;Vicino, 2008). According to Hanlon (2010: 4), this socio-economic decline, has 'upended the American Dream' as inner-suburban neighborhoods 'once the bastion of middle-class lifestyle' have declined into places of desolation and decay.…”