Cities aren't doing as well as you think

"Two major things need to happen in order for cities to be saved. First, they must undertake a CAT scan of sorts, which would reveal, underneath the glossy exterior of arts centers and arenas and hip downtowns, the reality of lost jobs, dysfunctional schools, and crumbling infrastructure. Second, they need to acquire the political will to attack these issues head-on despite the inevitable roadblocks."

In his latest article in the New Republic (registration required), Joel Kotkin isn't nearly as dire as Mike Davis, contrary to what the title would have you believe.