Cleveland and the Region: A Planning Perspective Abstract: Suburbanization is based on race and class, as much as on geography. Reducing inequalities will require –“fair housing” –Improved public education –Regional government

Growth and Suburbanization Cleveland history – rise and decline Suburbanization –Encouraged by powerful private interests, especially around transportation and real estate –Encouraged by public policy

Consequences –Poverty, racial discrimination, decaying core –Downtown declining, but still valuable –Suburbs benefit from regional amenities, but avoid most of the costs borne by the city National trends Local responses including “equity planning measures in the 1970s and 1980s

Flaws in the Growth Strategy “Growth strategy” – political and economic leaders create policies to attract and retain mobile wealth Underlying features – page 55 Problems resulting from this strategy –Uneven development –Lack of coordinated planning –Overemphasis on physical planning, neglect of social issues

Widening Disparities [Polarization] The region has avoided dealing with these, including class and race –Many whites benefit [in the short run] –Some institutions that maintain these patterns appear neutral – e.g. zoning –Some problems require regional solutions

Reducing Segregation Is central to solving other regional problems Requires public policies designed to integrate all the suburbs, including –Anti-discrimination ordinances and enforcement –Economic and racial integration of suburbs that are affluent and / or segregate –State of Ohio to take action