Managing Big Cities In The New Economy

Being a big city Mayor may be the toughest job in America. Smart City talks with the mayors of Austin, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky.

1 minute read

May 10, 2002, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Being a big city Mayor may be the toughest job in America. On the next Smart City radio show, host Carol Coletta talks to two men who hold that job in two very different cities. Mayor Gus Garcia is the new mayor of Austin, Texas, a city that has soared in the New Economy. But along with the city’s fast growth has come a familiar list of problems – failing public schools, a threatened environment, and time-eating traffic jams.Mayor David Armstrong is nearing the end of his term as mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, as the city prepares to consolidate with Jefferson County. While Louisville has continued to lag on New Economy measures, the changes in the city under Mayor Armstrong are visible and impressive. Listen Sunday, 9 a.m. on the WKNO-FM Stations and again Tuesday, 9 a.m. Or you can hear the show streamed live on the Web.

Thanks to Sheila Edmundson

Thursday, May 9, 2002 in Smart City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities