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Underperforming Regions

Robert D. YaroPresident, Regional Plan Association

Co-Chair, America 2050

America 2050 National Leadership Meeting

October 19, 2009U.S. Library of Congress

Washington, D.C.

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Underperforming Regions

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Defining Underperforming Regions

Criteria:1) Population change from 1970-20062) Employment change from 1970-2006 3) Wage change 1970 – 2006 4) Average wages in 2006

Counties in the bottom third in at least three categories were considered underperforming.

Counties

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Defining Underperforming Regions

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Defining Underperforming Regions

Criteria:1) Population change from 1980-20072) Employment change from 1980-2007 3) Per-Capita Income change 1980 – 2007 4) Per-Capita Income in 2007

Counties in the bottom third in at least three categories were considered underperforming.

Cities

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Defining Underperforming Regions

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Underperforming Cities: Great Lakes

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Underperforming Cities: Northeast

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1970

At Least 15 Percent of Workforce in Manufacturing

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At Least 15 Percent of Workforce in Manufacturing

2006

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European Precedents for Underperforming Regions

Agriculture: Common Agricultural PolicyEconomic Development: EU Structural FundTransportation: Trans-European Network

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Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions

1.Building on Economic Foundation and Attracting Skilled People

2.Place Matters

3.Leadership and Partnerships

4.Infrastructure

Source: Time Magazine

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Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions

1.Building on Economic Foundation and Attracting Skilled People

Population Growth

Skilled Workers

Education

Immigration

Networks

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Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions

2. Place Matters

Self Image

Existing Strengths

Quality of Life

Urban Revitalization

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Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions

3. Leadership and Partnerships

Federal Role

Regional Role

Collaboration

Planning

Sustained Commitment

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Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions

4. Infrastructure

Brownfields

Transportation

Smart Growth

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www.America2050.org

www.rpa.org