There is evidence that Newark is poised to begin attracting the urban professional demographic, in part because of its low rents, proximity to New York and its tax incentives. If this occurs, with the extant immigrant demographics, Newark will have pieces in place to experience full-fledged renewal not unlike what has transpired in those leading cities.

Costs

That said, there are costs associated with such renewal. In the 1960s, Newark experienced race riots as the result of urban renewal efforts. A demographic shift and the creation of knowledge industries can precipitate similar conflict today, given that the city still has an African-American majority and much of this majority remains in poverty. The lack of economic mobility among this community is not explicitly addressed in Newark's urban renewal plans. Ramos-Zaya (2009) argues in a study of Hispanic youth in Newark that neoliberal renewal policies result in shifting sense of identity among...
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