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US cities could learn from UK

Thursday, 12 June 2008 9:29 AM

Cities in the United States could learn from those UK when it comes to policies for improving cities, a report has found.

UK politicians often look to the US for inspiration for making cities a better place to live - for example, the recent alcohol ban on London transport by mayor Boris Johnson was similar to a policy introduced in New York.

But a new report from the Centre for Cities and Washington's Brookings Institution suggests the US has a lot to learn from Britain's urban renaissance.

London's congestion charge, which has reduced the amount of traffic in the city and boosted numbers taking the bus, could be introduced in several US cities struggling with too much traffic, the report said.

In addition, planning rules emphasising regeneration within city centres and curbing spread into greenbelt areas has also helped keep UK cities compact.

The UK also provides strong support for low and middle-income families with a higher minimum wage and a tax credit system.

Dermot Finch, director of the Centre for Cities, said: "The UK's urban renaissance is still unfinished - but there's a lot that the United States could learn from.

"As the United States chooses its next president, we should do more to export our successful urban policies to the US - especially on sustainable growth. US cities could learn useful lessons from our track record of avoiding excessive sprawl and supporting low-income families."

Bruce Katz, director of the Metropolitan Program at the Brookings Institution, added: "Building more prosperous cities and metropolitan areas should be a key concern for the United States - yet our federal government has largely failed to unleash the true potential of these economic engines.

"The US can learn a lot from smart policy reforms in the UK that have helped its cities address longstanding challenges, and build on their unique assets."

The report concluded that two-way traffic between the countries could help both sides, and the authors said it is "encouraging" that mayors Boris Johnson and Michael Bloomberg have promised to exchange ideas and people to improve their cities.

Sarah Routledge

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