Keep posting stuff like your last few posts, please, dd.
Concern about the concentration on cities makes sense to me. However I do wonder if the idea behind that is that improving the cities will have an effect on the surrounding areas, much as London does.
Also, cities that thrived during the industrial revolution need improvements. I don't think money recently spent on improving, for instance, Dundee's industrial waterfront, has been ill spent. Likewise improvements in Liverpool.
I don't live in a city (haven't for most of my life in the north or the south) but I reckon I benefit indirectly if the city nearest to me is thriving.