Neighborhood recovery : reinvestment policy for the new hometown /

Despite its promising title and multiple chapters, this book is limited to a lengthy case study of Philadelphia's experiences with neighborhood reinvestment strategies during the two terms that Edward G. Rendell served as mayor (1992-2000). Kromer, Rendell's director of housing, was in a unique position to evaluate that administration's successes in neighborhood revitalization, although the longer-term impact of those ventures will not be apparent for years. Despite the lack of maps, diagrams, and sufficient photos, policy and planning professionals will find much of interest. However, those untrained in policy making and public administration will not only find this book tedious reading but will also discover that it pays too little attention to the broader issues of neighborhood development that could be applied to other cities. Not surprisingly, only three pages of notes accompany the text, with most referring to the popular press or obscure government reports. In retrospect, this book could have made a far greater contribution to the urban studies literature had the publisher encouraged Kromer to find an academic coauthor to bring out the vital social-science perspectives on this important subject. P. O. Muller; University of Miami