This book combines scholarship and personal experiences as several facets of the urban experience are investigated. Eight major chapters focus on poverty, unemployment, welfare, law enforcement, urban finance, housing, education, and health care. Each chapter examines each problem and provides recommendations for dealing with it. The chapter on poverty notes that some of the opinions held about urban areas and its inhabitants are based on misconceptions of the forces that have shaped these areas. The author suggests that the problems of poverty are the results of human action and as such, action can be taken to overcome them. Unemployment continues to be one of America's most pressing problems. Possible avenues of approach to this problem include the acceptance of zero unemployment as a national goal. It is noted that our welfare system is sometimes punitive and that it defies good economic sense. More fundamental reform is needed to make welfare a more positive rather than a negative force. It is suggested that enforcement of the law is weighted against low-income people, allowing the higher-income criminal a place of privilege. One way of solving the problems of urban finance is to end the economic isolation of central city taxpayers by taxing residents of all metropolitan municipalities at a common rate. Also, continued advocacy in the areas of education and housing is suggested, while a national health insurance plan is urged in the area of health care. (Author/AM)