As America looks to the future, President Johnson’s half-century-old dream of a great urban society is more relevant than ever. If we are to build it, it must rest on four pillars.

COVID-19 presents great challenges to Northwest Arkansas (NWA) as it does to every other community, but the region is in strong standing to weather this global pandemic.

Newark has the potential to become the commercial/innovation hub for central and north New Jersey. But, it will require   a strategic and intentional action plan.

For Kendall County/ Boerne, Texas to attain high-quality economic growth, it must strengthen and diversify its economic base, shifting it as much as possible to export industries.

Diversifying Coeur d’Alene’s economic base beyond  tourism industry is critical to sustain the health of community.

Coronavirus has revealed weaknesses in the Texas economy that we must address.

How we approach the challenge of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will define the Texas that we live in going forward.

Austin has found new ways to demonstrate our ingenuity and pride. We are the creative capital of Texas.

The aftermath of the pandemic is not a future where we live farther apart.

We must begin now to prepare for our new normal.

Professor Richard Florida, one of the world’s leading thinkers in urban studies, joined me at the LBJ School of Public Affairs to discuss what policies and practices will be needed to restart our communities.

Even as cities focus on a full-out mobilization of required health resources to cope with the pandemic, it is important that economic developers mobilize all available resources to get their communities ready and prepared safely and securely.

What we do over the next 12 to 18 months can ensure that our city and metro economies get up and running again while protecting themselves against similar scenarios in the future

To prosper in today’s globally connected economy and compete for investment and talent, cities large and small require a clear road map—one that both builds opportunity and catalyzes community growth.

Investing in a more sustainable and equitable future will give #Texas even more reason for pride.

Thousands of rural communities throughout North America are experiencing protracted and significant population loss. The key to turning their fortunes around is to double down on local knowledge and the practice of “homemaking.”

Just as Philadelphia was a model for the urban revitalization that came in the wake of the old urban crisis, it now has the opportunity to be a national and global model for a more-inclusive prosperity.

Climate change is upon us, and Texas is feeling its effects. Texas has a choice, which is to lead or be led.

The city can’t solve a problem it can’t define. If Austin wants to seriously address homelessness, that has to change.

Smaller cities and communities like Prince George must identify the industries that make them unique and contribute the most to local economic development, while continuing to invest in improving quality of place.

Denver’s new urban crisis will not solve itself. The city can forge a new path for inclusive innovation and growth and become a model for other cities around the country and the world to follow.

Texas’s cities present a major challenge, but they also represent an incredible opportunity for innovation that could have an impact that resonates far beyond its borders.

Despite the region’s rapid growth and rising tech ecosystem, greater Miami lags on educated, creative class talent.

Rather than treating them as the enemy, cities should collaborate with developers. Together, they can build the cities of the future.

The groundwork is in place for a potential world-class innovation cluster in the White Flint area. The next step is to give it the tools it needs to succeed.

Grounded in an agricultural and industrial legacy and driven by innovative, future looking businesses, Stayton values its residents, history, downtown, and natural beauty.  Here’s a strategy for building even greater opportunity.

The Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico is an established destination for tourists and visitors.  But, what strategy is needed to grow its economy for local residents?

Big Sky is not a place where it’s business as usual.

The world is abuzz with talk of a mobility revolution. This encompasses new modes of transportation, from ride sharing and electric cars to bike sharing, scooters, and even self-driving cars. But how much of that is hype, and how much is reality in Miami?

If you want to protect the creative class and make sure that they’re invested in a community and can stay put in a community, home ownership is the way to do that.

Inclusive prosperity suggests that equity and affordability concerns are central to a city’s development, and points to models of success in business and government.

Greater Miami has many things going for it: beautiful weather, a thriving economy, and a unique, international culture. But the fruits of the region’s prosperity have not been evenly shared.

Amazon’s nullification of plans to build a second headquarters in New York holds lessons for urban economic development.

Miami faces a severe crisis of housing unaffordability, reinforcing the region’s high level of economic inequality. Six in 10 employed adult residents of Miami are housing cost-burdened.

Cities large and small are stepping up their efforts to combat climate change and cope with its impact. There’s much that they can do.

With Amazon’s search for its second headquarters or “HQ2” finally over, it’s time for Greater Miami to get back to the business of building its own economy.

Economic development 101 is about telling your story to the right stakeholders and having a clear message about who you are and what you are and what your value proposition is.

Cities have to address questions about safety and congestion, including where scooters will be parked and stored. It can’t just be the Wild West.

Just as cities partner with industry in other sectors, calculated, careful, regulated partnerships for scooters hold the most promise.

Looking toward strategic, deliberate innovation and inclusivity, small and mid-sized cities can become innovation centers that last.

The evolution of Jersey City is a case study in how other small and medium-sized cities can build themselves into tech hubs.

Over the past decade Jersey City has morphed, undergoing a transformation into an emerging hub for tech and economic growth.

Venture capital activity today is concentrated in a set of urban hubs worldwide.  Here’s what it means for the U.S.

The changing geographic landscape of startups and venture capital promises to shift the global economy; understanding how to harness these changes is crucial in order for the U.S. to remain a continued leader on innovation.

Today’s local governments are placing inclusion at the top of their agendas and private anchor institutions—and their developers—need to as well.

Though traditional developers and policymakers have long viewed inequality as a byproduct of economic development, the tide is now changing. Here’s how.

For inclusive prosperity to be successful, it must combine the knowledge and resources of local government, anchors, and community members.

In today’s knowledge economy, it is no longer enough for cities to provide residents with opportunities for economic mobility; there has to be more.

Smaller cities require a deliberate strategy for competing for new investment and talent.

Through its implementation, this Blueprint will transform Lynchburg into a coveted destination to live and work, where every resident has an opportunity to thrive.

If Las Vegas doesn’t build some buffer around its economy it will always be a boom and bust town.

A new study from the Miami Urban Future Initiative focuses on providing evidence-based data on Miami’s evolution as a global city.

The rules of talent attraction are changing quickly.

Long considered the gateway to Latin America, Miami takes steps to become a truly international city.

Despite their urban image, millennials are looking to suburbs and the country for a quieter, and cheaper, lifestyle.

While today’s cities attract rising shares of innovation, they are surprisingly slow to adopt new technology.

By prioritizing inclusivity in their efforts to attract new visitors, DMOs can benefit both the local economy and underserved residents.

Places are taking the ideas of what people want in urban communities, and smaller and suburban communities are trying to recreate this.

Too often, cities try to imitate a strategy that has been successful in another area without considering the unique conditions of their own urban environment.

Doing more to help fund urban needs is good for their workers and their profitability. Some communities are insisting that they step up.

What do cities — and the businesses that make them up — need to do to power the creativity economy? An economic and urban development expert has the answers.

Many cities stand by their decision to enter the Amazon H2Q competition — regardless of whether they were ultimately chosen as a finalist. Why? Building regional cooperation.

When it comes to developing a city brand, it’s tempting to look to other areas for examples. But, the secret to place branding lies in highlighting a city’s unique characteristics — not mimicking a tried-and-true formula.

In 2013, Mexico witnessed the collapse of three of its largest housing developers. Five years later, the nation has seen a boom in investment and multifamily construction.

Today, Detroit is on the mend, thanks to large-scale investments from key players like Dan Gilbert, the founder of Quicken Loans and Bedrock.

Brooklyn and Harlem have always had great “brand” presence and appeal. We are now capitalizing on it.

Place branding is about creating a compelling case for why your location matters.

Rather than waiting on top-down changes from the federal or state government, universities and cities can drive their own transformation.

Establishing an effective city brand — one that is both inclusive and specific — is a difficult task. But if one city has made it look easy, it’s Austin.

In today’s increasingly global economy, universities form an incomparable link between urban areas and the international market.

Greater Philadelphia is the only region in the country that creates a city-wide welcome to all college students.

With its enviable location, prominent international airport, and major port, Miami now serves as an economic and financial hub for Latin America.

The Miami metro has quickly strengthened its entrepreneurial ecosystem. But, what does it mean for the future?

Does Miami’s influx of new residents translate into sustained and shared economic growth?

As Miami aspires to the ranks of leading global cities, how does its talent base stack up?

For governments looking to solve their most pressing urban challenges, it is not enough to simply build a strategy. It is even more imperative to devise a plan of action.

While urban development is often characterized as a war between hungry developers and heroic neighborhood activists, the reality is far more complicated.

Brownfields has quickly become one of the most important buzzwords in urban development.

Amazon’s second headquarters threatens to exacerbate inequality wherever it locates.

A conversation with host Sam Chandan about inclusive prosperity and the Amazon H2Q process.

Cities across North America have embarked on a competitive race to win over Amazon.

Ontario has reclaimed it status as Canada’s leading economic engine. At the heart of this transformation is a progressive agenda that focuses on fairness and opportunity for all.

Despite concerns about the impact of new development, expanding a city’s housing supply is often critical to its affordability and economic success.

Recently cities have begun to promote tolerance as a key factor in economic growth.

When it comes to capturing millennial talent, small cities should look to one other for guidance.

An inclusive prosperity strategy must go beyond inclusionary zoning and affordable housing to include jobs, innovation, and design.

It’s time to put inclusive prosperity at the very top of America’s agenda.

Corporations like Google and Amazon reap the spoils of winner-take-all urbanism. Here’s how they can also bear greater responsibility.

A conversation with host Sam Chandan about sanctuary cities and the importance of inclusion to economic development.

The future of many American cities—and of the nation itself—depends on the skills of foreign-born workers.

While driverless cars have the potential to transform cities into more sustainable places, they also have the potential to exacerbate urban inequality.

The advent of driverless cars in our urban communities is imminent.

In the global race for technology and talent, many cities have endeavored to attract high-tech companies by building large-scale innovation districts.

City brands communicate a place’s values, offerings, and identity to the world.

Authenticity has long been considered an important feature of urban design. 

Downtown revitalization can come with a hefty price tag — but it doesn’t always have to.

While liquor licenses may not be the first thing that come to mind when seeking to revive our downtown areas, perhaps they should be closer to the top of the list.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the world learned an important lesson about the vital role of cities in coping with environmental challenge.

How are communities expected to rebuild in the wake of a hurricane?

More than 32 million Americans live and work in distressed urban communities, yet their voices often remain unheard.

Cities have rebounded spectacularly, but with this success comes a new set of deep-seated challenges.

As Jersey City evolves into a live-work-play locale, will it be able to retain its affordability and diversity?

Cities across the U.S. are melting pots for different types of talent.

Four pillars of inclusive prosperity are key to addressing our urban crisis.

Where do the five boroughs live and work?

New York has long been recognized as America’s creative capital, fueled by a growing pool of creative talent.

Brooklyn has become a popular destination for the Creative Class. What’s the impact on the economy?

Queens is rising. Or, as the New York Times put it, investors, developers, and young professionals are at the very least tilting towards the borough.

Staten Island could be nearing its golden era. Here’s why.

New York’s strong economic recovery is breathing new life into the Bronx.

Staten Island has the smallest creative economy of New York’s five boroughs.

With nearly 141,000 workers, the Creative Class makes up 25 percent of Queens’ workforce.

Forty percent of Manhattan workers belong to the Creative Class, a share that is 61 percent larger than the U.S. average.

Four in 10 Brooklyn residents are Creative Class members, however, the Creative Class makes up less than one-third of Brooklyn’s workforce.

Thirty-two percent of Bronx residents who work are members of the Creative Class.

Not all growth is created equal. Does the influx of residents into Miami translate into sustained and shared economic growth?

Talent is a key driver of advanced economies. As Miami aspires to the ranks of leading global cities, how does its talent base stack up?

Over the past decade, Miami has made efforts to cultivate a unique creative fingerprint, distinguishing itself from places like Los Angeles and New York. But how does it stack up?

Miami has experienced remarkable economic success in recent years. But, there is a downside to its urban revival: A New Urban Crisis born from its very success.

Miami is more dependent on global talent in the form of immigrants than any other US metro, with the exception of San Jose.

The 2017 Clark County Comprehensive Economic Development Plan lays out the goals and objectives, specific action items, and implementation timelines for achieving economic prosperity.

Buenos Aires has been through a lot of transformations in its history.  If any global city is well-positioned to make the most of an Art Basel Cities, it is Buenos Aires.

The recipe for great cities does not lie in top-down government programs, but in access to great urban amenities.

It’s been thirty years since the United States last developed a concrete urban agenda.

Miami’s battle with Zika provides a case study for exploring the relationship between local government and epidemics.

The Zika epidemic highlights the extent to which our health and safety depend on the sound local policy and judgment.

Tulsa Inspires, a celebration of the region’s inventive, creative, entrepreneurial and leadership potential, will drive Tulsa new economic development identity.

The way that creative people live, work and play has changed dramatically in recent years, and it’s having a major impact on travel.

Greater Miami has reached a crossroads. Its economy has deepened, diversified, and become more creative and idea-based.

The city’s growth will require innovation, creativity, and investment to be sustainable.

Over the last decade and a half, New York City has displayed incredible resilience.

Jerusalem rich with culture, history and heritage. However, its ability to attract and retain the Creative Class will determine its future competitiveness within the global hierarchy.

While the Yukon doesn’t have a significant research university or a technology cluster, it does have a high quality of place, which it can leverage to attract the creative class.

In “today’s borderless economy,” cross-border collaboration is critical for areas like the Cali-Baja mega-region, which is home to 6.6 million people and more than $205 billion in economic output.

Entrepreneurs play a bigger role in the health of their cities — and reap more from their success — than you might suspect.

Universities give you more than someone to cheer for. They can have a major impact on your bottom line.

Your city makes a big difference to the success of your business. Here’s why.

Here are three sources of government funding every entrepreneur should know about.