NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE AND THE REGIONAL ECONOMY

This article analyzes the limitations of the neighborhood development model, particularly as it relates to the challenges of inner-city hous ehold poverty. By placing the problem of inner-city poverty within a r egional economic context, the article examines the connection and disc onnection between the traditional service-and real estate activities a ssociated with community development and the requirements of increasin g income security and asset accumulation. Using an example from Philad elphia, the article argues for a form of community development that wo rks at the intersection of regional development and neighborhood revit alization A key focus of this kind of community development involves a n understanding of the requirements and possibilities of workers, and the strategies required to link them to nonneighborhood economic oppor tunities.