The Twenty-First Century City: Resurrecting Urban America

by Stephen Goldsmith

America's cities can be saved―so says Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. As the mayor of America's twelfth largest city, he eliminated city deficits, cut the city payroll, enhanced services, rebuilt infrastructure, revitalized neighborhoods, and reduced crime. And he did it all while cutting taxes! Now, in The Twenty-First Century City , Goldsmith shows how he did it.

The Twenty-First Century City gives a hopeful glimpse of the city of the future―a city where less bureaucratic intervention means lower costs, safer streets, and better services. Mayor Goldsmith has proved that by using this new philosophy of urban governance―of government acting as a business and perceiving its citizens as customers―America's cities can once again buzz with the sounds of success.

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sam Snideman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goldsmith's book is a little dated, to be sure. But he's got a great intellect and argues pretty well for greater private sector involvement in the public problems of America's cities. This doesn't always mean the involvement of business or corporations, but rather increased involvement of community and religious groups in solving problems of crime, education, community & economic development, and teen pregnancy. The book is as much a call-to-arms for those of us committed to community engagement with social problems as it is a retrospective look at how Indianapolis changed under Goldsmith's market-oriented perspective.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on creative solutions for urban problems.