The Tea Party Want to Take Down Our Cities and the Economy at the Same Time
American cities are enjoying a renaissance, and that’s a good thing as well for the suburbs surrounding them. Reversing a half century trend, the population in many cities is growing.
Why? Port cities like mine have typically benefited from immigrants coming from all over the world. Despite the current toxic debate fostered by the Tea Party, immigrants starting with the Pilgrims have made our nation a melting pot of many cultures. Jersey City in fact is one of the most diverse cities in America. But immigration alone isn’t what has kick-started urban growth. The recent expansion is energized by a second population — highly educated 20-somethings choosing to live in American cities in record numbers.
Bloomberg.com just ranked Jersey City first in the nation in its “Biggest Brain Gain” report while having the fourth highest move-in rate in 2012. Other locales joining Jersey City include Washington, D.C., Portland, Atlanta and Seattle. Highly educated young adults are moving into cities for a few critical reasons: Excitement. Cultural diversity. Better job opportunities. Strong mass transit.
Wisely, government policies in American cities welcomed this younger population by encouraging construction of housing meant to attract them, championing restaurants, supermarkets, clubs, galleries and museums that make a city vibrant, building parks and recreation facilities as well. Despite budget challenges, city governments’ emphasis on safety, transportation and stronger schools are intended keep these “brains” living in urban areas instead of heading out of town as their parents’ generation and those before them did.
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