Final answer:
Urban renewal involved the clearance and redevelopment of urban slums. It often resulted in the displacement of minority and low-income residents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Urban renewal refers to the redevelopment and revitalization of urban areas, often characterized by the demolition of slums and the construction of new developments. During the mid-20th century, urban renewal programs received federal funding to tackle the deteriorating conditions of inner cities. Impacts of these programs included the displacement of residents, usually minorities and the poor, creation of new housing projects, and in many instances, the disruption of community fabrics due to the emergence of highways and overpasses.
Urban renewal initiatives, supported by the National Housing Act, were seen as ways to address urban blight but often resulted in the displacement of residents without providing sufficient new housing. The creation of housing projects became synonymous with problems such as segregation and increased crime. Later developments like gentrification exacerbated issues, as minority and low-income populations were priced out of their neighborhoods. Moreover, urban renewal sometimes led to corrupt dealings and the under-utilization of cleared lands, causing some areas to become empty lots or 'untaxable wastelands'.
In some cases, urban renewal did lead to positive changes, with new businesses and housing improving certain areas. However, cities like Los Angeles experienced problematic renewal efforts, where redevelopment projects failed due to financial and political challenges.