Community economic development in low income communities

[andreplanner]

I am contemplating writing a paper for a journal on community economic development in 2 low income communities in Toronto and see if financial tools (namely TIFs and EZs) if actually legalized and part of the Development Charges Act would be successful in increasing awareness and their profiles on a positive level. For those in Toronto, the communities are Malvern and Jane-Finch.

I was in Boston in the fall of 2003 and reviewed the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan where they did implement EZs. I know there's a social planning study being done in the Malvern community as we speak. As well from my preliminary research there has been some negativity towards EZs because they don't promote jobs within the community rather promote jobs for those outside their community causing the ever popular spatial mismatch problem.

I have updated my blogs :http://plannerjobless.blogspot.com and http://spaces.msn.com/members/torontoplanner

to incite some debate, feedback and insight as to their experiences as well as maybe some direction.

SO any comments or help will do.

[Cardinal]

As you already observed, TIFs, EZs and similar tools work in addressing one of the problems with troubled neighbourhoods - the physical dimension. They will help to eliminate blight and encourage investmetn. There is a social dimension, though, which is part of the problem. Poor education and work skills can't be overcome with tax incentives.

[pcflvly]

Here is an analysis of TIF financing in Iowa http://www.econ.iastate.edu/research...4094_N0138.pdf

Here is a critique of that analysis http://www.econ.iastate.edu/research...0207_03005.pdf

The critique contains numerous points that may contribute to your methodology. Good luck and let us know what you find out.