"This book explores why the center cities of Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis have underperformed for more than 40 years, from 1970 to the present. The authors' investigation of how these cities and their residents can escape the poverty trap is informed by...

Introduction : structure vs. agency and the poor urban experience -- The economics of the poor urban experience -- Space usage and cost differentials in Gary, Indiana : counting the costs -- Differential goods and services to feed a family : who pays the costs? -- Differential goods and services...