I) An analysis of the broader economic and political forces that have brought cities to where they are today.
This first section sets the stage for our ongoing discussions about the strategic issues that should guide the development of long term, comprehensive recommendations for an urban policy. The first four classes cover these issues.

September 9: First Meeting
Introductions, course overview and expectations

September 16: An overview of the broader political, economic, and demographic context in which cities exist.

Comeback Cities, Paul Grogan & Tony Proscio, Introduction and Part One- "The Case for a Turnaround"
The American Metropolis at Century's End: Past and Future Influences, Robert Fishman for the Fannie Mae Foundation, Winter 1999
Cities in the Third Millennium, CEOs for Cities, September 2003

September 23: Taking a closer look at the situation in Providence and Rhode Island. Given the national context, how are things changing here and what do the changes mean for developing a comprehensive urban agenda.

Povidence Profiles, 1990-2000, The Providence Plan, 2003
Presentation for Mayor Cicilline Advisory Team, The Providence Plan, November 2002 (as updated)
Economic and Social Trends Affecting Rhode Island in 2006, William Collins, Bureau of Government Research & Services, Rhode Island College, January 2006

September 30 : The impact of joblessness in urban America.
When Work Disappears, by William Julius Wilson

The first policy memo is due October 7th and should be written to David Cicilline, the Mayor of Providence. This is the first memo you will address to the Mayor; later in the semester you will recommend policy/program action in the areas of housing, jobs, schools or public safety. For the first memo, reflecting on the readings and discussions thus far and your own knowledge of Providence and cities in general, identify the major challenges facing the city and highlight what you consider areas of opportunity for city action. This memo should focus on broader issues and not attempt to recommend specific policies. However, you need to make your case using data and information and not just your opinions. Remember to discuss both challenges and opportunities for action. The memo should not read like a laundry list of problems but also identify actions/policies that the Mayor should initiate.

Remember the memo should be two pages maximum.

II) An examination in more detail of four major issues that must be addressed as an essential component of any effective urban agenda;

· good jobs for local residents,
· public education reform,
· housing and neighborhood stabilization,
· crime and public safety

October 7: Jobs and Economic Development- An exploration of the major issues facing cities as they try to implement effective economic development and job creation strategies.

The Competitive Advantage of the Inner City, by Michael Porter
The Changing Dynamics of Urban America, (pp1-19), CEOs for Cities, October 2003
Providence Tomorrow: The Interim Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 5 Business and Jobs

October 14: The Promise and Pitfalls of Education Reform

How Ready is Providence Executive Summary, Ready to Learn Providence, 2004
Providence Schools Report Card, RI Department of Education, SY 2006-07
What No School Can Do, John Traub, NY Times Sunday Magazine, January 16, 2000
System Change Goes to School, CEOs for Cities, April 2004

October 24: Local Housing Policy- What's the Point; providing shelter for the poor, increasing housing options throughout the region, stabilizing urban neighborhoods or keeping the middle class? Can we do them all?

Comeback Cities, Grogan & Proscio, Chapter 8- The Fall (and Rise) of Public Housing
Providence Tomorrow: The Interim Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 6 Housing
Rhode Island Five Year Strategic Housing Plan 2006-2010, executive summary
Dealing with Neighborhood Change: A Primer on Gentrification and Policy Choices, pages 1-40, by Maureen Kennedy & Paul Leonard, April 2001

October 28: Public Safety- Community Policing and Building Neighborhoods without Fear

Broken Windows, by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling
Comeback Cities, Grogan & Proscio, Part Four-"Public Order"
The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker, June 1996
Providence Crime Statistics by Neighborhood: Table, Violent Crime Map

The second policy memo is due November 4th and will also be addressed to Mayor Cicilline. In this memo, you should make recommendations for specific actions he should take with regards to one of the four issues discussed in class. You should identify why the issue is key, provide specific recommendations and a rationale for why the Mayor should follow your advice. Once again, remember the two page limit.

III) An examination of different models for change strategies ranging from a neighborhood initiated bottom-up approach to new forms of public-private partnerships.

November 4: Building Strong, Safe and Stable Neighborhoods

Comeback Cities, Grogan & Proscio, Chapter 4 "The Grassroots Revival"
The Harlem Project, NY Times Magazine, June 2004
Hard Lessons about Philanthropy & Community Change from the Neighborhood Improvement Initiative, Prudence Brown and Leila Fiester, March 2007 (Summary Only)

November 11: From community building to a new approach for the federal government to city-led anti-poverty stratigies, which will be most effective in combining place and people based programs into a comprehensive and achievable agenda.

The Myth of Community Development, by Nicholas Lemann
Comeback Cities, Grogan & Proscio, "Conclusion: Seizing the Moment"
Metro Policy- Shaping a New Federal Partnership for a Metropoiltan Nation, Brookings Institution, 2008
Providence Poverty, Work and Opportunity Task Force Poverty Final Report, 2007

November 18: A group exercise to bring it all together and develop a comprehensive proposal for the revitalization of Providence. Exercise will take advantage of readings and discussion throughout semester as well as lessons learned from team projects.

November 25: No class due to Thanksgiving holiday.

December 2 : Verbal presentations from half the student teams.

December 9: Verbal presentations from the remaining student teams. Also the final class with a wrap up, including feedback and evaluation of course. Written team reports due by Friday December 12th.