Department of City & Regional Planning CP113B- Fall 2008
University of California at Berkeley Professor Arthur Blaustein
CP113B: COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CCN: 13438, W 4-7, 214B WURSTER
This seminar is an introduction to the political, social and economic issues involved in the theory and practice of community and economic development. It is about people in diverse cultural and ethnic communities and neighborhoods, and how they mobilize to play a role in the planning and development of their communities. Particular focus is on: national policies and programs (social, economic and political); the unique role of community-based economic development corporations (CDCs); the critical importance of the policy and planning process in balancing the conflict between private-sector profitability and the public interest/community accountability; and a critique of the politics of "trickle down" vs. "bottoms up" social and economic strategies. Focus will be given to how national policies impact our real-life communities and neighborhoods with particular focus on social, economic, political, and environmental justice.
A comprehensive approach to community and economic development includes policies affecting jobs, housing, business, the environment and health care, with particular emphasis on the role of community and the meaning of democratic values in a multi-cultural society. It will also examine the Bush Administration's community development policy.
Course Format:
Lectures, seminar discussions, guest speakers and student presentations. The course is open to all students in any major.
Prerequisites:
None
Course Requirements:
Class attendance, reading, and participation in discussion. Grades will be based on: class discussion (20%), a class presentation (20%), midterm exam (15%), attendance (10%), and final take-home exam (35%).
Who It Is For:
This course is a broad introduction to the literature (both nonfiction and fiction) and recent research on community and economic development. It is particularly appropriate for undergraduates in urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, in PEIS or in a variety of other fields such as social welfare, public policy, education, public health, sociology, economics, or political science.
WeekDate TOPICS AND READINGS
18/27Introduction: Information Sharing and Outline of Course
29/3Community and Economic Development:
“Roger and Me” (Film) case study - Flint, Michigan
Reading: “Restructuring Communities,” Currie; Commencement Address, Bill Moyers; Animal Dreams, Kingsolver
Discussion: Communities and development.
39/10Roles of the Public and Private Sector:
“Your Dollars and Common Sense - Taxing and Spending” and “Employment and Planning.”
Presentation: Community Development
Reading:Animal Dreams, Kingsolver; “Reflections on the War on Poverty,” Community Action. “Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.”
Discussion: Economic Policy and Social Responsibility
49/17Social Context for Community and Economic Development
Reading: “At the Drawing Board - Community Planning”; ”Putting Democracy To Work”, Adams and Hansen.
Discussion:Animal Dreams, Kingsolver; and democratic planning
59/24Community Development, Planning and Jobs:
“From the Bottom Up” (Film), Local Community Economic Development
Reading: “Human Impact of Unemployment”; Dogs of March, Hebert; “American Values, Citizenship and the Political Economy” “Bishops Lash U.S. Economic Policy,” Carrafiello.
610/1Downsizing, An Economic, Social and Political Context
Presentation: “The Business of America” (film)Reading: “Tocqueville's Mistake,” Commager;
Discussion:Dogs of March, Hebert
710/8Community and Economic Development - A History, 1965-Present:
“Building Hope” (film)
Reading: “Community Economic Development - A Strategy”; “Comprehensive and Integrative Planning for Community Development”, Shiffman and Morley.
810/15The Environment, Community Economic Development and Sustainable Communities
Presentation: Bernadette Del Chiaro (Environment California).
Reading: “Energy Policy and the Inner City”, Anthony; “Conservation and Economic Development”; Shadow Play, Charles Baxter
910/22Community Economic Development, Housing and Citizen Participation
Discussion:Shadow Play, Charles Baxter
Presentation: Guest (TBA) Housing and Community Development.
Reading: CDC case studies.
1010/29Community Economic Development, Urban Policy
Presentation: Christie Kiefer – Health Care and Community Development
Reading: “Why Cities Stagnate”, Jane Jacobs; “The Concept of Community”, Dennis Poplin; Magic Journey, John Nichols
1111/5Community Economic Development and the Private Sector
Presentation: Ken Jacobs—Jobs and Livable Wages.
Reading: Beyond Asian American Poverty, chs. 1,8, and 9; Magic Journey, Nichols; “Now This...”
1211/12 Comunity Service, Planning and Development
Presentation: Craig Harper, Business and Community Development; “Affluenza” (film)
Reading: Magic Journey, Nichols; Building a Balanced Economy, Faux;
CDC Case Studies
1311/19CED, Empowerment
Discussion:Magic Journey; Presentation: Lynette Lee, Local Community Development.
1411/26Thanksgiving Holiday
1512/3Bush Administration Policies, Enterprise Zones and Development Banks
Reading: “Strategic Planning for Enterprise Zones”, H.U.D; “The Star Spangled Hustle,” ch. 12
Review, Summary and Conclusion
1612/10TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM DUE