by Phyllis Furdell

New research from the National League of Cities explores the many ways cities take action to reduce poverty and the innovative approaches that municipal governments can take to promote equity ? social, economic, racial and political.

NLC has done in-depth case studies of 10 cities of different sizes in different regions of the country. Over the coming months, Nation?s Cities Weekly will feature these city stories along with descriptions of specific innovative practices and programs in each city.

The purpose of the case studies was to understand and document the range of municipal powers, capacities and resources that city officials can use to more effectively respond to the complexity of the problems of poverty and inequality in terms of local realities.

The study entailed more than 100 in-depth interviews with elected city officials, city staff, neighborhood leaders and various city partners from local chambers, local foundations, nonprofit organizations, United Way and others in the 10 cities.

The research revealed four basic strategic approaches ? generally based on either data, collaborative partnerships, participatory governance or targeted investments.

Why an Equity Agenda?
The stories of these 10 city efforts illustrate the ways in which city leaders can develop and use equity agendas to make city hall a driving force for ameliorating poverty.

Equity agenda refers to a municipal strategy that incorporates a variety of municipal resources, capacities and powers that aim to accomplish at least one of the following: reduce poverty; increase or create social, economic, or place-based equity; or improve the quality of life for residents of low-income neighborhoods.

?Cities cannot change national economic trends that adversely affect their local economies; they cannot redistribute wealth from high-income families to low-income families; and they cannot operate outside the allowable powers of municipalities in their states,? says NLC President James Hunt, council member, Clarksburg, W.Va. ?They can, however, do many things that improve the quality of life for residents of low-income neighborhoods and create more equitable and fair conditions for all within their jurisdictions. Cities can take actions that lead to increased employment, reduced blight, improved living standards in low-income neighborhoods, a more engaged and empowered citizenry and equitable allocation of city resources to all its neighborhoods.?

The stories of city equity agendas that will be released in the coming weeks are also stories of ways that municipal officials and their partners have been building inclusive communities over the years.

The first story in this series will focus on Savannah, Ga., and its innovative strategy of conducting poverty simulations throughout the community.

These structured role-playing events are designed to increase awareness among business and government leaders and others of the barriers to job opportunities, health services and general quality of life experienced by people living in poverty.

Details: The work of the Municipal Action to Reduce Poverty Project is made possible through support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

For more information, contact Phyllis Furdell at furdell@nlc.org or (202) 626-3034.