The Politics of Capital Investment
The Case of Philadelphia
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Description
This book examines both the politics and products of the public investment process in one of America's largest cities. It broadens the scope of contemporary debates on the political economy of urban development to include not only large-scale redevelopment projects, but also neighborhood facilities such as schools, parks, and libraries. Showing the share of investments that went into Philadelphia's downtown versus its residential neighborhoods from 1950 to 1980, the author challenges the widely held view that public investment patterns simply reflect political pressures from pro-development groups. Instead she shows that a city's decision to build often hinges on the availability and the sources of investment capital.
Carolyn Teich Adams is Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Urban Studies at Temple University.
Reviews
"Students and general readers will find it appealing — the analysis is clear, straightforward, and virtually without jargon. It is definitely a winner, combining readability with academic sophistication."— Clarence N. Stone, University of Maryland, College Park
"A major contribution of the book lies in Adams' insight concerning the 'dual budgeting' process that characterizes capital spending decisions. She goes beyond positing its existence to empirically examine the processes through which it develops and its consequences for democratic control of local policy." — Richard C. Rich, Virginia Tech