Suburban new towns and exclusive developments draw residents with promises of open space, recreation, a full range of services, and safety. Housing Limitations on housing options in inner cities contribute to the thinning process. Urban renewal projects earlier demolished houses and apartment buildings and destroyed traditional neighborhoods. Often the remaining housing stock in older metropolitan areas has reached the end of its useful life or does not provide sufficient amenities to warrant restoration. Lack of public space and community facilities further discourage investment.
Bad conditions lead residents to improve their lot by relocating to the suburbs.
Economic Development Macroeconomic changes such as the shift from industrial to service sector production and intensification of global competition have contributed to the thinning of our cities. Postindustrial metropolises in slow-growth areas of the country have responded by competing with each other to attract firms that will provide jobs, invest locally, and bolster their tax bases. These attempts are often more costly than beneficial. The quality of inner city schools stands in stark contrast to that of the suburbs, reflected in contrasting growth patterns. As more wealthy, predominantly white, households have suburbanized, they have left behind poorer, predominantly minority ethnic and racial groups, in urban neighborhoods with lower tax revenues and crumbling infrastructure.