"Vive le difference!" reads the rallying cry if an article co-authored by Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin.
Two authors who usually tend to make very different cases in their writings joined together under a shared byline to make the case for devolution of powers from the federal and state level down to the local level. As Richard Florida and Joel Kotkin write in the article: "strange times make for strange bedfellows, and we have come to a pass where conservatives and progressives can work together to reinvigorate our federalist state."
The answer to the growing partisanship proffered by Kotkin and Florida "lies not in enforcing uniformity from left or right but in embracing and empowering our diversity of communities."
"It is time for American mayors and community leaders—from small towns, suburbs and midsized ‘burgs to great metropolitan capitals like New York City, LA, and Chicago to press for a similar devolution of power," write the duo. According to the argument of the article, that devolution must occur at the state and regional level, making more room for suburbs and medium-sized cities that might get overpowered by larger cities and urban centers.
FULL STORY: To Reunite America, Liberate Cities to Govern Themselves
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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