Empowering Inner City Communities: Some Observations

The federal government's engagement in dealing with U.S. inner city concerns has been extensive although the results have not been satisfactory. In spite of repeated special considerations given to the problems, the lack of lasting solutions necessitated launching new urban empowerment zone and enterprise community projects in recent years. This paper reflects on the attempts made thus far to change inner city conditions and the inevitable challenges of development faced in market economies. Certain preliminary assessments are made with regard to the current Empowerment Zone project, using Baltimore city as an example.