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Mainstreaming Community Development: Business Strategies As Radical Approaches To Community Representation, Daniel S. Shah

Fordham Urban Law Journal

This article argues that law school clinics are a means of providing positive change in representation in community development. Through a detailed case analysis of the Philadelphia Community Development Credit Union, the article illustrates how most technical assistance providers perpetuate an economic development structure which is contrary to consumer demand. These technical assistance providers carry out the goals and plans of the project funders (a top down approach) rather than focusing on the demands of the consumers. Community development clinics can step outside of the current market structure because they receive funding from independent sources and are thus able to …