Amalgamating urban development A case for merging local community and economic development efforts

The thesis analyzes how a new model of economic development that focused on social outcomes would be more sustainable and efficient in overcoming the injustices that have prevailed throughout local government's persistent use of market fundamentalism. This requires an overall shift in ideology to create strategies that not only allow the economy to succeed, but afford people with the opportunities to create and maintain a quality of life not defined by consumer society. The critical question becomes: What is the end gain of our economy? Using the Western New York Region as an area of study, this paper demonstrates that the same model and strategies must be reevaluated as these disconnects reap many consequences. The thesis specifically looks at Western New York's Strategy for Prosperity Economic Development plan and creates recommendations r towards strategy that does not solely rely on free market practices.