Does Los Angeles Have What It Takes To Be a Leader for 21st Century Metropolises?

Brookings’ Bruce Katz explains how municipalities like Los Angeles can create thousands of jobs in advanced manufacturing through connecting planning, industry, innovation, and infrastructure efforts.

1 minute read

May 3, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By rzelen @rzelen


Downtown Los Angeles from LADWP

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

In The Planning Report, Bruce Katz shares his views on the role of metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, to usher in new waves of advanced manufacturing and industries. As the urbanization trend continues, Katz explains how leaders of metropolitan regions can make conscious decisions to shape a future that strategically invests in infrastructure and human capital.

Looking at the Los Angeles County's strategic plan for economic development to 2020, Katz believes that Los Angeles has the unique assets as well as the area to continue attracting business, talent, and innovation, and to remain competitive with cities around the world. Noting that Los Angeles has particular interest in water innovation for both hardware and software, he explains, "In the global economy, we’re beginning to revalue quality products and smart products driven by technology and software."

Author of The Metropolitan Revolution, Katz takes notes of Los Angeles' efforts to advance partnerships between universities, start-ups, and advanced manufacturing opportunities.

The premise for cities is simple: How do you become the best 21st-century version of yourself, leveraging your distinctive strengths and opportunities?

Katz explains that as the global economy favors cities and metropolitan areas that can create an ecosystem of "innovation districts," where a direct line is drawn between companies, clusters, and the competencies of their academic institutions.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in The Planning Report

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.