Voices of Decline

Robert A. Beauregard is Professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches on urban development and social theory. He most recently edited Atop the Urban Hierarchy (1989).

• Acknowledgements. Preface.1. Themes and Texts.2. Representing Urban Decline.3. The Cities Wholesome and Good.4. Not Those of Decadence.5. The Unhappy Process of Changing.6. On the Verge of Catastrophe.7. Every Problem a Racial Dimension.8. Crisis of Our Cities.9. Rising from the Ashes.10. Not Excessively Inconvenienced.11. Intersections, Displacements, Absences.12. Legitimating the Siting of Decline.Bibiliographic Essay.Methodological Note.Index.

"Since America became an urban society, its cities have been a source of heated debate. Their condition has resulted not just from the unfolding of economic forces but also from policies rooted in a mentality that has regarded urbanism as threatening. In this highly original work Bob Beauregard ferrets out the history of the American city as it existed in the popular imagination. His brilliant - and entertaining - investigation reveals the mind set that has defined America's urban problems and thereby seriously limited the possibilities for addressing them." Susan S. Fainstein, Rutgers University "An original and authoritative look at the place of cities in twentieth century American culture. The catalogue of different voices that Beauregard uncovers will force us into new ways of seeing the 'decline' of U. S. cities." Professor J. Dear, University of Southern California"Voices of Decline is a solid, original contribution - well-written, insightful, provocative, and instructive. The book accomplishes it goals admirably, providing the best work I have seen on methodology of 20th century U. S. urban study. I am pleased to recommend it with enthusiasm." John S. Adams, University of Minnesota"A solid, original contribution, well written, insightful, provocative, and instructive. The book accomplishes its goals admirably, providing the best work I have seen on methodology of 20th century US urban study. I am pleased."