The New Metropolis: ''A Crack in the Pavement''
America's ''first'' suburbs, those suburban communities built next to America's urban centers, were once the birthplace of the American Dream. Driven by a desire to escape the smokestacks of the central cities, and a housing shortage following World War II, thousands of suburban homes were built and middle class families flocked to fill them.
Sixty years later, many of these original suburbs are facing a crisis: a dwindling tax base, population and business loss, decaying infrastructure, increased racial tensions and white flight. Lacking policies to help reverse these trends, many towns are struggling for their survival.
''A Crack in the Pavement'' is part one of a two-part documentary entitled
The New Metropolis that deals with America's deteriorating ''first suburbs.'' The film highlights the current situation of two of Cincinnati's ''first suburbs'' namely Elmwood Place and Madeira. Both of these ''first suburbs'' are experiencing serious infrastructure challenges.
For information about the films, additional broadcasts, community screenings, watch parties and other events,
visit the website or call Torrice Productions at 513-751-7050. For More Information about the Watch Party ''Agenda 360 Transformational Dialogue: A Crack in the Pavement''
visit the Chamber's website.
Recorded
at Around the Cincinnati Community Among Other Locations
Length: 30 minutes