The face of American cities has changed dramatically over the course of the past several decades. The nation has become increasingly urban over that span, but the role of cities has changed. At one point, American cities were thriving centers of trade and industry. This was followed by the rise of suburbia, white flight and urban decay. Today, many cities have become renewed, and urban America is once again a vital driver of culture and industry. Not all cities, however, have joined in this renewal. Many still stand in decay, plagued by issues of crime, poverty, undereducation and neglect. It is vital that American cities not only survive but thrive. They are the economic and cultural engines of the nation. This paper will examine the changes in America's cities in recent decades, the impact they have on the nation and ultimately sort out who is responsible for ensuring the health of our cities.
             Cities have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades. The post-war era was marked by significant 'white flight' to the newly-developed suburbs. As wealthier families left the cities, they were replaced primarily by the poor, and by immigrants. This reduced the wealth of cities dramatically, resulting in increased poverty and decay. Many cities saw declines in population over this period – Detroit and Buffalo for example have seen their urban populations cut in half since 1950. However, the white flight trend has begun to reverse in many cities. Urban renewal projects have cleaned up formerly impoverished areas, and many immigrant and minority families have followed the jobs into the suburbs. The trend towards white flight is beginning to reverse in cities as diverse as Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago (Dougherty, 2008). This latest demographic shift will once again change the role of cities in America.
             Cities have traditionally played a dominant role in the economics and culture of ...