2. Objective
Describe and appraise the principal theories of
urban success that are guiding efforts to
revitalize U.S. metropolitan areas
Provide advice to policy makers on how to use
these theories in their cities
Theories of Urban Success
3. Three Families of Theories
• Firms
• People
• Place
Theories of Urban Success
4. Theories of Firms
Business costs, productivity, industry
structure and factors of production all
influence economic opportunities
Theories of Urban Success
