“Believing that hipsters can reverse the consequences of late-stage capitalism is a more attractive thought for city planners in cash-strapped cities than realizing that many American cities are, for now, screwed thanks to postindustrial decline and growing inequality. Gentrification may provide a new tax base, but it also reshapes what cities are, turning them into explicit supporters of inequality, reliant on it to self-fund, yet still unable to meet the needs of their poor. A real solution to the economics of American cities would require more work - more taxes, more laws, more intervention from the federal government. Those things are hard. Gentrification is easy.” 

This book is phenomenally researched and written. It’s approachable and important and pulls no punches. One of the best books I read this year. Highly, highly recommend.