In a perspective of two or three decades, the economic differentials now draining the Northeast of jobs, income and people in favor of the Sunbelt are likely to level out: gasoline shortages may stem population dispersal to exurbia and favor reconcentration in cities; improvements in technology and natural resource shortages are likely to cut the importance of manufacturing, which has been leaving the Region, and give more emphasis to those sectors of the economy in which the New York Region is strong, such as information-oriented activities; the continuing need to provide meaningful jobs for those with manual skills may see large public funds devoted to upgrading city environments.