| Popis: |
This chapter discusses the revitalization efforts in Bessemer, Alabama, which emphasizes that industrial decline is not limited to the Rust Belt. It explains the circumstances shaping redevelopment work in Bessemer, a deeply impoverished small city lying just southwest of Birmingham that was once the home to US Steel's southern headquarters and a major Pullman Standard railcar facility. Bessemer's majority-black population peaked in 1970 and has declined considerably since as its industrial base withered. By offering a snapshot of a southern, suburban city attempting to revive its fortunes, the chapter provides a good sense of what is required to achieve inclusive economic redevelopment. It demonstrates that the needs and desires of local residents have not matched up perfectly with local economic development agendas. |
