How Does One Run a Large City?

Abstract

Of all the diverse troubles which beset the modern world the economic and social shortcomings of the great cities have a primary importance. They are the growing points of a country in every sense. They should be the leaders, in civilisation, in culture, in amenities, as well as in personal incomes. But far too often exactly the opposite is the case. Throughout the U.S.A., in particular, there is a growing consciousness and preoccupation with the ‘crisis’ of the cities. It is indeed evident to anyone who visits that country that there is a crisis; although the problems are not limited to the great cities of more than two million inhabitants. Some of the smaller cities, such as Detroit and Newark (N.J.), are in a still worse condition. Disgust at the inefficiency and corruption of the (white) city council has brought into power the first black governments in the Eastern states. Thus the general city background of the U.S.A. may be described as one of crisis. But the situation in the great cities is more difficult to deal with, not only because of its magnitude but also due to the basic fragmentation (and often confusion) of boundaries and administrations.

Based on lectures given at the Institute of Economics of the University of Siena in April 1970, subsequently published under the title ‘Problemi Economici e Financiari della Grandi Città, Rivista di Diretto Finanziario e Scienza della Finanze.