Introduces a special, 20th-anniversary issue of "Urban Affairs Quarterly." Raises questions concerning the journal's function; the major factors affecting American urban areas; trends and projections for the future; significant policy initiatives; and research needs regarding cities and policymaking. (KH)

Presents brief overview of the development of urban studies, from its origins in the "urban crisis" of the 1960's to the present trend toward study of the terrapolis, the world system of interdependent metropolitan areas. Focuses on the role of "Urban Affairs Quarterly," changing definitions of the "city," and the…

Discusses factors which shaped the American city during the last 20 years, including those associated with demography, decreases in public spending on social services, changing international economy, the growing importance of self-interest groups, and the proliferation of urban policy initiatives. Outlines briefly some trends in urban research.…

Analyzes factors which have contributed to the poor conditions of large cities: failure of courage to deal with racism; individualism; short-term thinking; political nonaccountability; diversity of peoples and information; loss of faith in leaders and in nation; and threat of nuclear war. Calls for new policy initiatives and outlines an urban…

Describes cities as sovereign territorial systems engaging in political struggles with other sovereignties such as states, dominating their physical environment, and exercising jurisdiction over people and institutions within their boundaries. Calls for a more comprehensive history of the city and its residents. (CJS)

A cross-sectional simultaneous equation model is specified whereby metropolitan-wide levels of racial residential segregation, housing discrimination, interracial occupational dissimilarities, and Black/White mean incomes are endogenous. Results support the hypothesis of mutually causal interrelationships among these phenomena. Results of policy…