Barrio Urbanism: Chicanos, Planning and American Cities

Providing a substantial historical overview of Chicanos- the larges Latino population in the country - in American cities over the past century, this book traces the movement of them from Latin America into American cities and details the problems they face in those cities. The book treats the subject from a planning and urban policy perspective, arguing that professional planners and policy makers have historically failed to alleviate the poverty and racism Chicanos faced. Beginning in the 1970s, planners’ disdainful attitude towards Latinos began to change, in part because of increasing Chicano political power. More recently, urban planners and officials have begun to pay more heed to the planning and development issues facing urban (and increasing suburban) Latinos. The author focuses on the most pressing concerns in Latino barrios during recent times - environmental degradation, social justice, land use policy, and others. He closes with a consideration of the issues that will face Chicanos and more generally Latinos, now the largest ethnic minority in America.