What can we do to fix America's inner cities?

Addressing the challenges faced by America's inner cities requires a multifaceted and sustainable approach. Here are some key strategies and solutions that can help:

Economic Development and Job Creation

• Establishing business incubators and accelerators in inner cities can provide crucial support for entrepreneurs, including capital, workspace, and business services. Examples like Detroit Kitchen Connect demonstrate the positive impact these can have14.
• Investing in local infrastructure can create jobs for residents living in poverty. This includes channeling job growth into areas accessible to low-income communities and supporting low-income food entrepreneurs and local food self-sufficiency24.
• Creating sector-specific job training programs in industrial sectors with good growth prospects and engaging employers in workforce training design can also be effective2.

Affordable Housing and Cost of Living

• Reducing the cost of housing is essential. This can be achieved by providing access to vacant or under-utilized land, reducing the cost of housing inputs (land, tenure, materials, credit, infrastructure), and increasing the availability of affordable rental units in mature neighborhoods52.
• Lowering the cost of living by reducing waste and making efficient decisions in areas such as energy, water, transportation, and telecom can significantly benefit low-income households2.

Infrastructure and Efficiency

• Improving infrastructure efficiency, such as cutting energy and water use in buildings, can create jobs and reduce household expenses. Smart land-use planning and reducing auto travel can also save households money2.
• Investing in sustainable infrastructure that reduces waste and lowers expenses for families can have doubly effective benefits, lifting low-income residents out of poverty while benefiting the broader community2.

Governance and Public Administration

• Strengthening public administration and management is crucial. This includes careful examination and strengthening of public administration, development of procedures for land assembly and infrastructure renewal, and ensuring competent, accountable, and adequately resourced urban governments35.
• Good local governance that supports urban poor organizations and federations can significantly reduce poverty by providing basic services like water, sanitation, healthcare, and education5.

Taxation and Financial Incentives

• Implementing long-term restructuring and lowering of municipal taxes can help reconnect distressed central cities to their regional economies. Federal support to make up for revenue shortfalls during this period can be essential3.
• Expanding the earned income tax credit to make work more rewarding for low-income families can also be a part of a comprehensive strategy3.

Social Programs and Community Support

• While economic strategies are critical, social programs aimed at meeting human needs, improving education, and addressing issues like drug addiction and healthcare are also necessary. These programs should be coherent and not fragmented to ensure long-term benefits14.

Radical and Innovative Approaches

• Recognizing the need for radically different approaches, such as creating a sustainable economic base by leveraging competitive advantages like low-cost real estate and labor in inner-city neighborhoods, can help in revitalizing these areas. This includes subsidizing operations of companies that provide jobs to residents in exchange for incentives4.

By combining these strategies, it is possible to create long-term positive improvements in America's inner cities, addressing both the economic and social challenges faced by their residents.