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Slum Clearance and Urban Renewal in the United States

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  • William J. Collins
  • Katharine L. Shester

Abstract

We study the local effects of a federal program that helped cities clear areas for redevelopment, rehabilitate structures, complete city plans, and enforce building codes. We use an instrumental variable strategy to estimate the program's effects on city-level measures of income, property values, employment and poverty rates, and population. The estimated effects on income, property values, and population are positive and economically significant. They are not driven by changes in demographic composition. Estimated effects on poverty reduction and employment are positive but imprecise. The results are consistent with a model in which local productivity is enhanced.

Suggested Citation

  • William J. Collins & Katharine L. Shester, 2011. "Slum Clearance and Urban Renewal in the United States," NBER Working Papers 17458, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:17458
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations
    • K0 - Law and Economics - - General
    • N12 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • R0 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General

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