I Am Northwest Arkansas® Crafting the Future: Bruce Katz on Urban Innovation and Northwest Arkansas's Potential
About the Show:
"Cities are the vanguard of problem-solving in the modern world."
- Bruce Katz
About the Guest:
Bruce Katz, a renowned urban policy expert and the founding director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, joins us to share his deep insights on the transformative power of cities. With a rich background that includes advising urban leaders globally and authoring the pivotal book "The New Localism," Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge on how cities can flourish amidst the challenges of our time.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Bruce Katz at Gorog X Studio in Bentonville, Arkansas, to explore the concept of "new localism" and how cities are becoming the epicenter of innovation and growth. They delve into the pressing issue of affordable housing, the reshoring of American manufacturing, and the unique opportunities that Northwest Arkansas presents as a rapidly growing region.
Bruce shares his experiences working with urban leaders, the lessons learned from cities like Pittsburgh and Copenhagen, and the importance of local collaboration in addressing housing, transportation, and economic development. He emphasizes the need for cities to act as economies, leveraging their unique assets to create inclusive and sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Bruce Katz illuminates the role of cities as engines of problem-solving and innovation, particularly in times of national discord.
- The discussion sheds light on the critical nature of affordable housing and the potential of initiatives like groundwork to address this challenge in Northwest Arkansas.
- Bruce's expertise underscores the significance of local governments, businesses, and citizens understanding and embracing the long game for sustainable development.
- The conversation highlights the power of collaborative ecosystems in driving progress and the transformative impact of universities and industry leaders working in tandem.
- Listeners are encouraged to rethink the role of federal and state governments, viewing them as supporters of local economies rather than top-down decision-makers.
All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.
Important Links and Mentions on the Show*
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This episode is sponsored by*
Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"
*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
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FindItNWA.com
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Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
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