Coping with City Shrinkage

Sooner or later, many of the older cities of the U.S. are going to have to face up to the fact their population and economic bases are shrinking. Many cities continue to display an easy tolerance toward bloated bureaucracies. Few have the tough, farsighted leadership needed for revitalization. But some cities are coping. Though much industry has fled Pittsburgh, nurturing downtown white-collar employment is helping the city to keep afloat. And Baltimore has converted the heart of its downtown into a culturally rich, architecturally inviting magnet that draws both affluent and middle-income families to work, shop, live, be entertained.