The report highlights the shift in urban economic development debates in the US, with environmentalists advocating for smart growth and reclaiming brownfields, while community organizations and unions prioritize dense urban development for living wage jobs. Economists argue for clustering to retain high road industries. However, traditional urban economic development strategies have been criticized for their failure to evaluate the net new job creation and the quality of jobs. The report also notes that urban renewal has historically disrupted communities and displaced local residents, and recent development projects have contributed to gentrification and displacement of low-income families. The report concludes that affordable housing should be standard in community development projects to address the challenges faced by local residents in high-cost cities.
