Examines the vision of Greater Philadelphia First for Philadelphia to become the premier urban region in which to live and work -- humane and prosperous, fulfilling its promise to its citizens. Discusses the importance of competition from region to region and not city to suburb. Analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of Philadelphia in comparison to other regions. Reports on the region's progress toward the goals, objectives, and initiatives outlined in this strategy. Charts and tables.

This Reader presents a selection of articles from Economic Development Quarterly, the premier journal for practitioners and academics of local economic development. The pieces chosen cover both the breadth and the cutting edge of real world economic development practices.

In the blink of an eye, vast economic forces have created new types of communities and reinvented old ones. In The New Geography, acclaimed forecaster Joel Kotkin decodes the changes, and provides the first clear road map for where Americans will live and work in the decades to come, and why. He examines the new role of cities in America and takes us into the new American neighborhood. The New Geography is a brilliant and indispensable guidebook to a fundamentally new landscape.

How can we help distressed neighborhoods recover from a generation of economic loss and reposition themselves for success in today's economy? While many have proposed solutions to the problems of neighborhoods suffering from economic disinvestment, John Kromer has actually put them to work successfully as Philadelphia's housing director. Part war story, part how-to manual, and part advocacy for more effective public policy, Neighborhood Recovery describes how a blending of public-sector leadership and community initiative can bring success to urban communities. Kromer's framework for neighborhood recovery addresses issues such as - neighborhood strategic planning - home ownership and financing - the role of community-based organizations - public housing - work-readiness and job training for neighborhood residents - housing for homeless people and others with specialized needs - the importance of advocacy in influencing and advancing neighborhood reinvestment policy. Neighborhood Recovery presents a policy approach that cities can use to improve the physical condition of their neighborhoods and help urban residents compete for good jobs in the metropolitan economy. Kromer's experience in Philadelphia reveals challenges and opportunities that can decisively influence the future of neighborhoods in many other American cities.

This book focuses on economic relationships within the eight counties in the Philadelphia Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area. Long-term economic developments, changes in socioeconomic profiles between 1960 and 1980, and patterns of employment are examined on a county by county. Special attention is given to the spread and growth of employment in high-technology industries, the interdependencies between jobs and residents in the city and suburbs, and the roles of federal and state aid to the region.