Megaforces Shaping the Future of the Nation's Cities

Flashcards covering key concepts, trends, and challenges related to U.S. urbanization, megaforces shaping cities, and proposed solutions, based on analysis from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 'State of the Cities (2000)' report.

What percentage of Americans lived in urban places according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1970?

74 percent

How does the U.S. Census Bureau define an urban place?

A jurisdiction with a population of 2,500 or more

What significant shift occurred in the U.S. urban population starting in 1970 regarding residence?

More urbanites lived in the suburbs than in central cities

Which city category experienced the highest numerical growth rate (82 percent) between 1970 and 2004?

Medium-sized cities (100,000 to 250,000 inhabitants)

Which states saw the emergence of new million-inhabitant cities between 1970 and 2004?

The South and the West (e.g., Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego)

What is one way rapidly growing cities have expanded their capacity to absorb more people or raise revenues?

By extending their boundaries and/or by amending or building out their zoning

Which U.S. government agency is charged with overseeing homeownership, community development, and affordable housing?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

According to the State of the Cities 2000 report, what is the first 'megaforce' shaping the future of the nation's cities?

The new high-tech, global economy

What demographic shifts constitute the second 'megaforce' affecting cities and suburbs?

The Nation is rapidly becoming more ethnically diverse, and the elderly population is growing dramatically

What is identified as the 'new housing challenge' megaforce?

New threats to housing affordability due to higher rents and housing prices during a strong economy

What is the 'powerful major trend of continued decentralization' referring to as a megaforce?

The continuing shift of jobs and people to the metropolitan edge

How did high-tech job growth compare between cities and suburbs from 1992 to 1997?

High-tech job growth in suburbs was 30 percent faster than that of cities

What percentage of the overall U.S. population is the elderly population projected to comprise by 2030?

20 percent (reaching 70 million)

What new problem arose with the growth of homeownership, often involving lenders operating outside federal regulation?

Predatory lending, characterized by excessive fees, high interest rates, and prepayment penalties

How did house price and rent increases compare to general inflation between 1997 and 1999?

House prices rose at more than twice the rate of general inflation, and rent increases exceeded inflation

How did the cities' share of metropolitan-area jobs change between 1992 and 1997?

It declined, with suburbs increasing their share from 55 percent to 57 percent

How did the rate of land consumption compare to population growth in the 1990s?

Land was consumed at approximately twice the rate of population growth

What is an environmental consequence of rapid land use growth and decentralized development?

Degradation of water and air quality due to increases in impervious surfaces and automobile emissions

What three main approaches are suggested for creating livable communities?

Reinvestment in cities, Smart Growth practices in suburbs, and regional cooperation