Here is a summary of some of those areas. More than 5.5 million of Pennsylvania's 12 million residents lives in one of the state's 56 cities and 964 boroughs. Many others reside in core communities or village centers. Revitalizing Pennsylvania's established communities is critical to achieving and maintaining a high quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. By investing in the future of these communities, their schools, roads, infrastructure, businesses, and aesthetic qualities, we can curb the flight of middle and upper middle class families and tax dollars from these centers and build more sustainable communities.
Infrastructure often plays a significant role in steering development.
In order to address this linkage, Pennsylvania must maintain and, where appropriate, expand its infrastructure to promote and enhance efficient land use decisions and attract new business to established communities. Infrastructure projects should give preference to development and re-development in existing communities. To accomplish this, plans should be developed on a regional, inter-municipal basis with the participation of state agencies, municipalities, developers, businesses and citizens. Environmentally friendly transit methods such as walking and biking, and safe, reliable mass transit should be the priority. Several state programs already encourage development and economic revitalization in existing communities and protection and preservation of agricultural lands.