Influencing the Agents of Urban Structure

Abstract

From the perspective of applied research, a critical urban theory presents the opportunity to become a force for social change. Nowhere has this perspective been more present than in activities around supporting the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The author applies evidence from an evaluation of the impact of CRA organizing to assess the success of efforts to bring about institutional change. This research suggests that local organizing provided the impetus for the establishment of a national political climate favorable to serious CRA enforcement. Evaluation approaches are needed to move theory from being pure critique to developing strategies for change.