Urban Problems and Community Development

Brookings will host a lunchtime discussion with William T. Dickens of Brookings and Ronald Ferguson of Harvard University, editors of a new book, Urban Problems and Community Development, recently published by the Brookings Institution Press.

The book is a project of the National Community Development Policy Analysis Network (NCDPAN), headquartered at Brookings. It is the most comprehensive attempt to date to assemble insights from economists, political scientists, sociologists, and historians to benefit the broad field of community development.

In the critical reviews presented in the book, authors and contributors reinforce some aspects of conventional wisdom on urban problem-solving and community development while they challenge others. The luncheon discussion will explore some of the most important insights and their implications-from both points of view.

The discussion should be both interesting and informative. Invited guests include journalists, administration officials, top congressional aides, policy analysts, and others who can contribute to a stimulating discussion on how knowledge from research can inform policy and practice for stronger cities and communities.