View Research by Author - Beata Bajaj

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This document describes the Business Patterns series source data set and the summary indicators from this set that are included in the UI data file. It also discusses technical issues associated with preparing the Business Patterns data.

The brief examines employment and establishments for two periods that differed markedly in economic performance: 1998-2000 and 2000-2002. It compares trends in the cities and suburbs of metropolitan areas. It then looks at how the economic performance of ZIP codes varied by resident poverty rates, showing that high-poverty areas had the worst records overall. It next examines differences in economic structure between ZIP codes with concentrated economic activity and residential areas. Finally, the brief compares residential service establishments per capita (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, doctors' offices, and banks) in the different types of areas, finding that high-poverty ZIP codes had fewer service establishments than low-poverty ones for most, but not all, kinds of services.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of HOPE VI relocation. While they are the most likely to benefit in important ways from improved housing quality—and reduced exposure to risks like lead paint or mold—and from safer, less distressed neighborhoods, moving can disrupt their education and friendships and even put older youth at risk for conflict with local gangs. Where they moved was also significant. Children whose families moved to the private market with vouchers are doing better, while those whose families moved to other traditional public housing are not faring as well. Girls, in particular, are suffering from the ill effects of being left behind in developments that are becoming increasingly dangerous and chaotic as vacancies increase.

The Making Cities Stronger report, which is based on data from a national survey and case studies from nine sites across the country, provides new insights into the economic impact of public libraries in American cities. The report highlights ways in which library programming in the areas early literacy, employment services, and small business development, contribute to local economic development strategies. The study also identifies ways in which library construction is used to bolster place-based development in a wide variety of settings. Commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council, the study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

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