Capital Dilemma: Growth and Inequality in Washington, DC.
Director of the SPA's Metropolitan Policy Center Derek Hyra is co-editor of the newly released book, Capital Dilemma: Growth and Inequality in Washington, DC, which details the forces driving the contemporary economic growth of the nation’s capital. While this book argues that federal and city political decisions relate to Washington’s recent rebirth, it carefully connects this development to rising inequality and widespread gentrification. The book, co-edited by Sabiyha Prince, exposes the complexities, challenges, and opportunities associated with modern day urban development.
This volume is distinct in that it applies a unique interdisciplinary approach, incorporating historical, sociological, anthropological, economic, geographic, political, and linguistic frameworks, to comprehensively explain the monumental changes taking place in one of the world’s most important cities. It also highlights how unequal contemporary development outcomes relate to preexisting inequalities established mainly along race and class lines
“In 2011, as the economy of Washington, DC was booming, its black population slipped below 50%. This is the ‘capital dilemma’ explored in this fascinating book,” writes Mindy Thompson Fullilove of Columbia University. “This is a terrific book and students of history, American cities, race relations, and economic development will all find it a great asset.”
As we enter a period when advanced service-sector cities prosper, Washington, DC’s changing economic landscape illustrates important processes and outcomes critical to other US cities and national capitals throughout the world. The Capital Dilemma for DC, and other major cities, in the 21st century is how to produce sustainable, equitable economic growth.
Sep 16, 2026 3:00 pm
