PSC Final Exam

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School

Central Michigan University *

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Course

261

Subject

Economics

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by UltraEmu601

Alex Boyer PSC261WI 21 October 2023 Final Exam Question 1 : (Mini-Case) As Mayor, what do you do? What is your strategy to solve this problem? As the mayor of Jonesboro, I am tasked with of finding a solution to the difficult issue that puts historical preservation up against the economy of my city. Jonesboro has a population of 350,000 and heavily relies on two regional hospitals Saint Catherine's hospital and northeastern hospital as major employers of the citizens in the area. Located in the downtown area, St. Catherine’s hospital has proposed a large expansion of the hospital which requires the demolition of multiple historic buildings. Being a longtime citizen of Jonesboro I understand that there are passionate citizen groups opposing this expansion and advocating for the historical preservation of these buildings including an important church. At the same time, the administrators of Saint Catherine's hospital have warned that without this expansion the hospital is likely to close and thus the city will lose at least 1000 jobs. This mini case requires a thoughtful strategy to solve this dilemma. In order to maintain Jonesboro's identity and sense of community a large outspoken group is fighting for the preservation of these historical buildings. The citizens are advocating for these historical landmarks and are voicing their concerns about the demolition of the city's history. As the mayor my first strategy would be to actively communicate with these groups to

understand their concerns, while also addressing the importance of the proposed hospital expansion and the potential loss of 1000 jobs. My goal through this conversation would be to seek potential compromises with these citizen groups. Although I'm not sure how possible this may be, one approach I had would be to include these historical buildings into the hospital's expansion by preserving the most historically significant structures. I have seen architectural experts include important trees into the middle of a house, so I wonder how possible it would be to develop these buildings into the new hospital. Ideally, this would allow for the expansion of Saint Catherine's hospital while also preserving these historical buildings for many years to come. While I know the importance of preserving the history of Jonesboro, as mayor it is equally important to prioritize the city’s economic stability and jobs for the citizens. As one of the main employers, Saint Catherine's hospital plays a large role in the local economy. With the potential closure of the hospital over my head and the loss of 1000 jobs, the consequence for the city would be devastating. Another strategy could be to evaluate the economic impact of the hospital's expansion and consider alternative solutions. There may be a way to develop medical facilities in other parts of the city that could accommodate St. Catherine’s needs. The most important strategy of all would be to be a mediator and create a line of open dialog between both Saint Catherine's hospital and the citizen groups that are advocating for the historical structures. I would make a point to develop a committee of representatives from the hospital, preservation groups, city council members, and other community leaders. This committee would be responsible for holding discussions and developing ideas and solutions between all parties in hopes of finding a middle ground. As mayor I would like to encourage

collaboration among these groups as I know that it is essential to reach a solution that respects both parties’ interests. In conclusion, the role of mayor it's never easy and figuring out how to meet a variety of interests and listen to all concerns to make an informed decision can be difficult. For Jonesboro, the solution wouldn't have to find a balance between preserving these historical buildings and ensuring the continuation of economic stability and jobs for the residents. By working alongside my committee and facilitating dialogue among all, I am to address the wishes of both sides. Above all, our wish is to leave Jonesboro even better for future generations. Question 2 : Describe the typical pattern of suburbanization witnessed in the United States. What factors led to this pattern of suburbanization? Because of concerns about the environment, what patterns of suburbanization and urbanization will most likely occur as we go forward into the future? Suburbanization in the United States has continued to be a common theme that has developed the America we know of today. It can be defined as the outward growth and reorganization of major cities into what we refer to as contemporary cities or the suburbs. In order to fully understand the importance of suburbanization in the United States, this paper will discuss its evolution over history, the factors that are driving this change in location, and the possible shifts of urban and suburban neighborhoods in the future due to increasing concerns about the environment. In the United States, suburbanization can be traced back to the years following World War II. After the war, people started to slow down and return to normal life. There was no longer

an immense need for factory workers, like there was during wartime, and families started to yearn for a more peaceful life that was away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Around the 1950s and 1960s, we begun to see an influx of families and individuals leave the overcrowded city centers and relocate to these new suburban neighborhoods just outside of where they once called home. These sparkly, new neighborhoods often included single-family homes with large lawns that offered a new lifestyle most couldn’t refuse, thus quickly filling these suburbs and making them highly desirable for young couples. In addition, the automotive industry was booming, and highway travel was becoming more utilized and normal for the everyday person. Commuting between the suburbs and the cities became more accessible, so many chose to live a quiet life while still being able to work and visit the nearest city whenever they needed to. There are many factors that contributed to the increase of suburbanization in the United States. First, after World War II, many families and individuals experienced the positive effects of the economic boom. This quick increase in wealth made it possible for them to afford homes in these suburban neighborhoods and they even noticed that they were usually cheaper than living within a city center. This is due to the houses being mass-produced in neighborhoods, making them cost less. Another big factor, and previously mentioned, was the growing commonality of commuting and using automobiles. Since highways were put in place to connect the suburbs with the cities, it made it very easy and convenient for individuals to live outside of the city but drive there to work. According to the Chapter 12 Outline, “This has led to what some deem job sprawl: the decentralization over time of people, businesses, and industry that spread themselves over the suburban landscape.” Many families realized they wanted to leave the city to live a more mundane life. The suburbs offered space and privacy, while still being close enough

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