Public Participation and Consumer Sovereignty in an Era of Cutback Planning

The essays in this volume evolved from two conferences, both of which focused on issues relating to managing urban decline, the first titled "Alternate Futures for Older Metropolitan Regions" held at Youngstown State University and the University of Akron in May, 1978, and the second titled "Managing Mature Cities" held at the Cincinnati Convention Center in June, 1978; the authors offer several perspectives on the aging of older metropolitan regions, suggesting that aging need not be synonymous with decline and that slow-growth or no-growth offers opportunities for improving the quality of life for city residents.