What Makes a Working City?
By Gwendolyn Craig, May 15, 2015
Up on the high hills of Potrero, California, you can see sweeping views of the Bay and the city. It’s a breathtaking view shared by two very different worlds. One half of the hill is dotted with multimillion dollar homes—the other half of the hill makes up Potrero Terrace & Annex, a low-income housing complex. These kinds of disparities occur all over the country—from Miami to Chicago, from Brooklyn to Washington D.C.
So what causes these drastic differences? What makes a city a place where everyone can thrive?
On May 7, The Atlantic hosted a forum, Working City: The Atlantic Forum on Urban Progress, along with the Citi Foundation and the Low Income Investment Fund to explore examples of urban progress and share models of success. While Portrero Terrace & Annex experiences many social and economic challenges, the community has rallied together with the help of BRIDGE Housing to make the neighborhood safer, healthier and full of new opportunities. For example, they have planted a community garden on the hillside where residents tend to the flowers and vegetables. It’s a source of community engagement as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. You can find examples, like this, of successful community development work across the country.
Some of the key players who have worked on these urban transformation projects all gathered in the Newseum in Washington D.C. and shared what has worked for them, what goals they have for the future of their neighborhoods, and what still needs work.
To learn more about the Working City event, check out the full event at http://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/working-city-the-atlantic-forum-on-urban-progress/2015/ and read “What Makes A City Work For Everyone?” from Partners in Progress.
