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This study examines the determinants of 6 types of crime in Milwaukee, a Rust Belt city that has experienced significant deindustrialization in recent decades. Inner-city areas, as well as a unique low-density area on the city’s northwest side with many rental units, might lack the social control necessary to reduce crime. Creating an index of deprivation at the block group level for 2014, we find it to be high in the central city and on the northwest side and correlated with crime, income, and other socioeconomic variables. Crime hot spots, with a few notable exceptions, are located in 2 central-city areas that are poorer and less White than other block groups. A spatial lag regression model shows that deprivation primarily drives arson and assaults, and the share of renters is shown to increase thefts and robberies in low-income areas but not high-income areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article details the transformation of the urban rust belt over the course of economic restructuring. It begins by building typologies of cities at the starting point of restructuring and by showing how cities vary in socioeconomic performance by the endpoint. Multiple methods and data sources are then used to provide a general and detailed story of change for successful and unsuccessful performers. Results show that, in general, deindustrialization is not associated with performance. However, manufacturing still matters. Detailed stories show successful cities of one type have diversified manufacturing, becoming post-industrial producers. Successful cities of another type have specialized, retaining old manufacturing in branch plants. For the first type of city, policies aimed at developing the labor force and encouraging collaboration between local manufacturers is recommended. For the second type, policies targeted at improving the local business climate are encouraged. Results also show all unsuccessful cities have become healthcare-based economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on urban depopulation which questions the salience of existing urban growth paradigms. Topics discussed include information on urban depopulation in reference to spatial patterns, demographic shifts, deindustrialization, and urban governance; challenge of promoting social justice and equity in cities; and need for policies that promote revitalization.