Jason Kambitsis speaks with Bruce Katz, the founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, about his advocacy for taking a fundamentally different approach to urban development based on economic diversification.
While many might quibble with Katz's argument that cities have done well enough in providing the physical spaces necessary for well functioning cities, he makes a provocative argument for urban development based on the transformation of economic environments, rather than physical ones.
Eluding to examples of cities building their economies on a foundation of innovation and production, including New York, Northeast Ohio, and Seattle, Katz argues for the need for cities to move "away from the service and real estate sectors and...look toward the tradable economy for sustained growth."
According to Katz, the implications for planners and designers are profound. "Economy shaping is going require a new kind of placemaking...You can't just focus on housing and transit in the core of a city, you need to focus on the physical needs of manufacturing, development and the needs that go along with them. That will clearly have a huge effect not only on the city but regional level."
FULL STORY: Bruce Katz: Better Economic Structure Will Save the City
For Uber, Lawsuits in Seattle and New York Drag On
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If Housing Affordability Is Top Concern, Let Metro Regions Sprawl
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Alta Bicycle Share Changes its Name
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
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Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie