ABSTRACT
Central city challenges involve infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, roads and highways, mass transportation, and parks and recreational areas. This chapter argues that these central city problems serve in varying degrees to undermine the quality of life enjoyed by others in the metropolitan area, not solely central city residents. It discusses the majority of citizens residing in metropolitan areas are basically satisfied with the quality of life they enjoy, although they may grumble about inconveniences in their daily routine. People therefore need to be much more careful and precise in describing the segment of citizens who are most affected by dissatisfaction with their quality of living. The chapter gives attention to those factors and developments that have served to regionalize quality-of-life shortcomings in a regional policy framework. Finally, it concludes with some policy suggestions concerning how people can ensure an acceptable quality of life for all of our citizens residing in the metropolis.
