First suburbs are generally suburbs that were built, or mostly built, adjacent to or near central cities before 1960. In the Midwest, suburban development began around 1900 and progressed slowly until halted by the Great Depression and World War II. In the 25 years following the War, suburban growth accelerated dramatically. Those "first" suburbs now are 40 to 80 years old, and with age many have begun to experience what had been exclusively central city challenges: deteriorating and obsolete real estate, problematic sewer and water systems, disinvestment, and residents with modest or low incomes.

Officials of these suburbs have recognized that public policy as it affects investment in real estate does little for them. New, outer suburban suburbs are promoted as growth and progress, drawing higher-income residents and businesses away from first suburbs, which are left to cope with their situation as best they can. Individually, first suburbs can do little to change the imbalance of public policy and practice. Collectively, however, their chances improve. Thus the formation of the First Suburbs Consortium.

1 See Confronting Suburban Decline by William Lucy and David Phillips. Island Press, 2000