Imagine that the U.S. Congress has asked you to give a report on the state of urban America to
help them understand the challenges we face as a nation. Using (at a minimum) Massey, Briggs
et al. and Knox, write an executive summary1 on the types of cities, neighborhoods, and
communities we live in. Why are these moral landscapes important, and what do they tell us
about our society? An effective report will cover the following material: (a) the historical process
of urbanization; (b) contemporary issues with urban development and urban housing markets; and
(c) the geographic concentration of affluence and poverty. The report should reference findings2
from the readings to substantiate the main body of the report.
