Atlantic City Juxtaposition Key Words:

Decline Stage: Butler states, “The change (or even disappearance) of the original natural and cultural attractions which were responsible for the popularity of the area." Many things led to the decline stage in Atlantic City, as I indicate the rise of Disneyland; cheap air travel as well as “white flight.”

White flight: This had a two fold affect on Atlantic City. First, when Atlantic City became known as a “black place.” The first affect was when many white middle class tourists anxious over civil rights legislation, decided to change tourist destinations to the segregated environment of Disneyland with the help of cheap airfare. The second affect of white flight was the result of the race and class anxieties that were cultivated in racially segregated suburbs. These anxieties manifested themselves in the form of things like Demaris’ “Jungle” dialogue and fortress casinos. The existence of Fortress casinos continues to keep Atlantic City blighted.

Fortress Casino: Fortress casinos give people the impression that the areas surrounding the Atlantic City Boardwalk are to be feared. This fear is to the benefit of the casinos who benefit when people are afraid to walk beyond their doors. Casinos keep people from starting their own restaurant and shopping ventures in the city. Fortress casinos and the fear they instill in people allow casinos to keep most of the revenue millions of visitors bring to Atlantic City every year.

Panacea: As the Atlantic City case study proves, panaceas are to be avoided at all costs in Urban Redevelopment. Problems should be addressed by neighborhood members and supporting organizations only. When outsider capitalists come into your town and offer you a deal that seems too good to be true it most likely is. Casinos are now to powerful to be fought and will remain in Atlantic City until people decide they do not like gambling anymore.