Viewing poverty as a condition that is fed and renewed on a daily basis by social and economic structures, this book focuses on the ways in which poor residents can be helped to improve their own situations, their living conditions, and the central city itself. Also includes four maps.

Human Capital Investment for Central City Revitalization puts forth the premise that the major weakness of urban revitalization policies and programs is their failure to develop human capital. This book represents a departure from previous studies of urban revitalization in that it focuses on ways in which the poor, who constitute a significant number of central city residents, can be helped to improve their own situations, living conditions and the central city itself, rather than focusing on business-oriented discussions and policies. Through a series of case studies, the contributors present four methods that provide a potential for improving the living conditions of central city residents: Empowerment Zones, school-linked services, tenant-based management and community-reinvestment agreements.