A growing list of cities are banking their economic development on the medical and educational sectors, which have consistently grown over the past few decades. Aaron Renn examines why overreliance on eds and meds is problematic.
From cities like Piitsburgh and Cleveland, that stabilized declines in manufacturing with so-called "eds and meds," to Chicago, where "education growth has been a bulwark of the Loop economy," it's hard to find an American city that isn't turning to these sectors as an economic development strategy.
Renn, however, warns about the potential problems for cities that rely too much on eds and meds as the road to their economic futures. For one, "these tend to be non-profit, and thus reduce the tax base in cities that are dependent on them." Second, he argues, these sectors "are seldom a source to dynamism in communities in and of themselves." While these points, particularly the last one, may be arguable, he sees an even bigger problem in the fact that, "these industries are at the end of their growth cycle."
"As the US starts to groan under the weight of spending on health care
and higher education," warns Renn, "it's clear that, as a society, we need to be
spend less, not more on these items as a share of national output.
Some cities with unique strengths, like Boston, with its many
specialized biotech firms, or Houston, with the world's largest medical
center, may thrive in this environment, but the vast majority of cities
are likely to be very disappointed in where eds and meds growth will
take them."
FULL STORY: The End of the Road for Eds and Meds

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions