The basic forces that drive societal change--from demographic shifts, to advances in technology, and transitions in economic functions--have influenced the shape of cities throughout history. This book explains America's urban renaissance and establishes a framework to understand and capitalize on the range of real estate opportunities available in cities across the country. Cities are classified into four categories of development potential. The result of the analysis is an important and inspiring conclusion that goes to the heart of this book: that every American city, irrespective of its economy, market dynamic, and geography, has unique real estate opportunities and potential for progress. A big-picture view of urban America, this book covers prospects for each major urban property type. It analyzes four key categories of cities and discusses specific metropolitan areas in terms of their real estate investment potential. It covers investment strategies and capital sources, explains 13 trends that are converging to create a paradigm shift in urban America, and provides real-world case studies that demonstrate how to make forward-thinking real estate decisions.