Restructuring the Philadelphia Region

"By redefining what it means to be a city, this book takes urbanists well into the 21st century. Using the Philadelphia metropolis as an elaborate case study, the authors show us that cities cannot be fully understood apart from their regions, that regions unconsciously govern themselves, and that education, housing, and employment are vital for a region's future. With a keen eye and refreshing insights, the authors have brought the study of the metropolis to a new level and one which should serve as a model for other scholars." —Hank V. Savitch, Brown and Williamson Distinguished Research Professor, University of Louisville, Urban & Public Affairs

"Policy analysts have often highlighted inequities resulting from uneven regional development and blocked opportunity. But as the global economy transforms a moral imperative into a competitiveness imperative, Restructuring the Philadelphia Region is an indispensable guide for political, business, and civic leaders seeking to create a more dynamic and inclusive region" —Paul R. Levy, President and CEO, Center City District, Philadelphia

"Restructuring the Philadelphia Region reminds us that place still matters. As Adams, Bartelt, Elesh, and Goldstein document, where people live both facilitates and constrains access to opportunity in America. But new actors are emerging to confront these challenges. Third-sector entities (e.g., community development financial institutions, charter schools, foundations), along with state governments, are assuming roles traditionally reserved for city governments, perhaps for better, perhaps for worse." —Gregory D. Squires, Professor of Sociology and Public Policy and Public Administration, George Washington University

"Carolyn Adams and her coauthors have given us a nice case study.... The authors’ depiction of Philadelphia is at the same time intellectually engaging and well written. Their knowledge of the city and its complexity is obvious and helps to produce an analytic description that is rich and nuanced in detail if not in theoretical terms.... The authors have made a singular and important contribution by presenting such a rich case study. Urban scholars should read it and benefit from it. This is a data source that can be the basis for a more complex theoretically based typology of evolving urban forms." —The Journal of Regional Science

"The Philadelphia region provides an excellent case study on how regional analysis can be designed and achieved…. The authors make a compelling case that regional cooperation is vital for cities to prosper…. The authors provide thorough explanations and examples of the strengths and weaknesses that have emerged as a result of fragmentation by city, county, and region. They present their data and arguments with compelling analysis." —Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly

"Restructuring the Philadelphia Region takes a fresh look at a social landscape that is no longer easily broken down into city vs. suburbs, or even older suburbs vs. newer suburbs…. The authors use a variety of theoretical frames and data sources to provide a comprehensive new look at a predominantly older urban region.... Restructuring the Philadelphia Region is unquestionably a valuable contribution to the understanding of contemporary trends and policy in Philadelphia." — Social Forces

"This book is not focused on what should be happening across the region but alternatively provides a well-grounded and thorough examination of existing geographic inequalities and coping strategies…. The authors do a fine job of discussing the characteristics of the Philadelphia region, as well as how those characteristics compare with respect to other regions…. There is a wide, captive audience for Restructuring the Philadelphia Region —those interested in the policies, economic, or civic issues facing urban and metropolitan areas today whether they are in the academe, public service or the private sector…. The authors succeed in a careful and thorough discussion of the metropolitan Philadelphia region that is readable and pertinent, while contributing constructively to a variety of current discourses." — The Professional Geographer