CITIES IN A RACE WITH TIME

Jeanne Lowe, with reportorial and organizational experience behind her, here presents what is essentially a casebook in urban renewal. She applies a case history approach, which seems ""to illustrate best the unique nature of the process in which we have become involved,"" to delineate the techniques and resources used to date in improving our cities. Writing in the terms of a ""generalist,"" she relates the story of renewal through singular contributions of particular communities. Robert Moses' one-man performance in New York, and the Pittsburgh coalition are analyzed and assessed. Redevelopment of Southwest Washington reveals the problems of the private sponsor. More comprehensive approaches through planning are reviewed in the Philadelphia and finally the New Haven experience. The human element (""But what about the people?...Human compassion is an essential ingredient in a total program which 'really spells growth'""), the problem of race and poverty (""traditionally Americans have regarded slums as primarily a physical problem"") are considered. Needed to cultivate our urban landscape: leadership, community organizations, plans, staff, information, an informed citizenry, MONEY. This specific, detailed exposition of how pattern-setting cities have tackled urban renewal will provide basic information to concerned parties.