Today, Explained City Limits: Beware the Doom Loop
Mar 17, 2023
Miles Bryan, a reporter and producer focused on urban issues, explores the fallout of remote work on cities. He discusses the looming threat of a 'doom loop' from vacant offices leading to dwindling tax revenues and public services. Historical parallels are drawn to guide current revitalization efforts. Bryan also examines urban design strategies that prioritize community needs and the transformation of cities like New York into appealing living environments. Plus, the idea of free public transit in Washington D.C. sparks innovative solutions to tackle these challenges.
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The Doom Loop
- Remote work could negatively impact cities, leading to a "doom loop."
- This involves declining tax revenue, reduced services, and people moving away.
Deindustrialization's Impact
- After World War II, American cities thrived but later declined due to deindustrialization.
- This led to a similar doom loop with falling tax revenues and people leaving.
The Rise of Offices
- Cities that recovered from deindustrialization did so by replacing manufacturing with office jobs.
- This created a new ecosystem, but it also benefited certain groups more than others.