94-04-01 Richmond:  A Study of Social Decline Despite Economic Vitality

RICHMOND: A STUDY OF SOCIAL DECLINE DESPITE ECONOMIC VITALITY

       The hope that economic development can halt the decline of
central cities is widespread among public policymakers.  But if
Richmond is any example, there is little evidence to support an
argument that economic development will solve all social ills,
according to a University of Virginia urban policy expert.
       
       Virginia's capital city enjoyed an economic boom in the 1980s. 
Yet on measures of population, poverty, median family income, and
per capita income by race, Richmond continued to fall behind its
suburbs during the decade, said William H. Lucy, professor of urban
and environmental planning.   Despite adding more than 29,000
private jobs during the 1980s, the city saw an exodus of both its
white and black middle class, according to a new study by Lucy
titled "Richmond: Social Decline Despite Economic Vitality."   The
study examines Richmond area trends and indicators between 1980 and
1990 related to population, income, poverty, employment, housing,
education, crime, commuting, housing density, rural designations,
agricultural employment, farm acreage loss, local fiscal
performance, and state aid and federal aid to local governments.
       
       Although the estimated number of jobs in Richmond varies
depending on which of three data sources are used, each source
indicates there are far more jobs in Richmond than there are
Richmond residents who are in the labor force.
       
       "No doubt cities are better off retaining jobs and adding to
them if possible," Lucy said.  "But the hopes held out for social
revival based on economic renewal may have been greatly
exaggerated."
       
       As long as public policies make commuting convenient, and as
long as state aid is neutral towards or rewards suburban
jurisdictions and city boundaries are prevented from expanding,
"then continued social and fiscal decline of cities should be
expected, regardless of whether jobs increase in cities," Lucy
said.
       
       Aging suburbs also are susceptible to decline, Lucy pointed
out.  His study found that decline appears to have started in
suburban Henrico County, where income is declining and poverty
rising compared to state averages.  Unless ways are found to
strengthen the fabric of community life and residents' attachment
to communities, "as the suburbs age, they too will be vulnerable to
the same forces that have eroded the social vitality of cities,"
Lucy said.
       
       For additional information or interviews, William Lucy may be
reached at (804) 924-3716.

                                         ###
                                                                       April
1, 1994

[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Mon, 4 Apr 94 10:49:13 EDT]