The Road to Revitalization: Economic Inclusion and America's Legacy Cities

America’s legacy cities, once drivers of industry and wealth, have developed unique cultures of grit and innovation to try to overcome major obstacles like changing industries and government policies that steer investments away from communities of color. How do we confront racist systems that drive deep inequities in public health, safety, and access to opportunity in these unique American cities? How do we bring sustainability and modern urban infrastructure to these metropolitan centers while ensuring that everyone benefits from new investments and growth?

To address these challenges, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, which has been advancing groundbreaking solutions for 75 years, launched the Legacy Cities Initiative (LCI). The LCI supports civic leaders, policy makers, and others working to build more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous legacy cities.

At this City Club of Cleveland event, George W. McCarthy, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and Chantel M. Rush, the managing director of the American Cities Program at the Kresge Foundation, discussed opportunities for legacy cities to prosper and thrive through more inclusive economic development.