The Environment and the Power of Cities

Welcome back!

In prior posts on this blog I’ve referred to some of the world’s experts on new  urbanism–experts who have each asserted that there are vital links between a city’s success or failure and the well-being of local and regional economies.

In this tough global economy, if we’re to create new jobs, protect our natural resources and provide thriving communities for our children and our small businesses, we need to invest in our cities.

The new urbanism mantra is thankfully becoming part of our main stream conversation.  The media, citizens groups, corporate types and politicians are all acknowledging the impact and benefit of curbing urban sprawl (with higher density housing). More regions are willingly directing support for infrastructure development in support of  healthier, attractive new urban communities and city centers where people can work, create and live.

When our cities our strengthened so our are futures – whether we reside in the city, suburbs or our rural communities.

The former popular and controversial mayor of London (U.K.), Ken Livingstone, said this recently to the Toronto Star (January 25, 2009):

The biggest 40 cities in the world have huge purchasing power and huge information exchange; together we can do more to stop climate change than all the major governments in the world.  Now’s an ideal time to build new green industries around alternative energy sources.

Half the world’s population lives in cities.  Cities produce 75 percent of carbon emissions.  The upside to that is that it’s easier to make changes in cities.  Twenty to 30 percent of emissions in cities come from cars and buses.

So if you are able to work from home in your own business or through a telecommuting arrangement with your employer – good for you as you’re contributing to the health of our communities.

If you chose to move your family to one of the hundreds of green-friendly new urbanism communities that have been newly built or redeveloped across the U.S., Canada and elsewhere over the last two decades – good for you as you’re not only helping to contribute to a healthier environment but you’re helping to influence a generation through your lifestyle and involvement in the community.

If you stepped outside of your rural area or remote suburb to visit a museum, or grab a bite to eat in an establishment in your nearby urban city – good for you as you’re helping to support one of the prime engines of our economy.

Your city is just that – it is yours, whether you live in it or 100 miles away.  When our cities thrive we all do.

A Nation Coming of Age – The Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama

Around the country and around the world communities are buzzing with the kind of excitement that we don’t often get before a presidential inauguration.

Sure, in most instances the installation of a new president brings about some anticipation about what the new administration will do to affect your situation, but this time it’s different.

First of all, the world economic situation is so bad right now that in all honesty I don’t think anyone seriously believes that the man about to be inaugurated in a few hours will change it anytime soon.

I think instead it’s this man’s campaign mantra and the “man” himself that has us holding our breath with…hope.

Here is a man that was elected by people of all colors and even all political beliefs because of his competence and what he represented.  Sure he represents “change” from the current administration, but I think more importantly he embodies the feeling, emotions, mindset and convictions of a nation that has come of age.

Who would have thought that the U.S. with its still-fresh scars of racial inequality and violence “could” not only elect but come together as a “community” of Americans to support and embrace the installation of  a black man as its 44th president.  It is hard believe that this is all taking place within the same century that saw blacks being denied the right to vote because of the color of their skin.

I’m overjoyed at this development not just for myself and the opportunity I have to witness this in my lifetime, but more so for our children.  Our young people feel energized (I see it and I could cry).  They feel hopeful and positive about our country’s leadership and about what they can do to change and protect our world and that is the best outcome of all.

Mr. Obama has come at the right time for us as a nation and as people who share and embrace a history and the future.

Show #17 – Testosterone Free Marketing

When it comes to assigning a price to the services or products you offer through your home-business, do you undercharge? Do you worry about relationships in business to the detriment of your own business success? If you’re nodding in agreement you are definitely not alone…according to marketing expert Denise Michaels this is in many cases a ‘female’ thing.

Denise elaborates on her thinking with her bestselling book Testosterone-Free Marketing: The Yin and Yang of Marketing for Women . Since the book’s publication there has been plenty of buzz about women’s attitudes and strategies when it comes to marketing and building a business. If this is the year you want to kick start your marketing strategy with focus and confidence, you’ll want to listen to this podcast and visit Denise’s website Mentoring With Denise.

Show 17

Geography of a Crisis and Opportunity

UPDATE – February 6, 2009: Richard Florida’s report to the Ontario government is creating fear/anger/hope/buzz across Canada and the U.S. – serious questions are being raised about the future of manufacturing in this country.  Read the report here.

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This morning I listened to American new urbanism guru Richard Florida (author of Rise of the Creative Class and Who’s Your City) talk about what makes a city and region successful.

He was asked to comment on how the large metropolis of Toronto (and it’s surrounding region) can find long-term economic success during this recession.

During his explanation Florida talked about how the future for much of our economy around North America is really about “mega regions” and that we ought to prepare ourselves to compete in this global economy not as lone towns or cities but as these larger geographic sections.  “Mega regions” tap into the man power, resources and ideas of the outlying suburbs and towns that feed many of our most dynamic cities in the U.S. and Canada.  According to Florida, vibrant cities like New York, London, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Montreal will do relatively well in recessions because they have the capacity for re-invention. That capacity rests in each city’s creative roots–roots that can extend throughout the region.

So if a region is, for example, heavily reliant on one of the threatened sectors in this economy, like the auto sector, Florida argues that such regions ought to look to the sectors that are actually growing and to the nature and strengths of the “human capital” in that region.  What are the strengths, interests and priorities for the people that live there?  How can their unique attributes contribute to a local economy that will be sustainable and profitable for that region?

Another good point he highlights is the way in which regions can invest in human capital and that is through training, education and the support of human enterprises/ideas/businesses.  Florida would argue that decisions about where and how to invest resources in any economy have to be based on the reality of growth and decline in our country today.  There is without doubt a decline in manufacturing jobs and there is definitely growth in the creative sectors – those industries that rely on the intellectual and creative input of workers.

Our auto sector has for so many decades defined our culture that it’s difficult (if not painful) to acknowledge its decline.  I’m not really sure I could support a decision not to bail out the auto sector, yet that is the question or position Florida puts on the table.  The bail out of the auto sector will total several billion dollars…what effect would it have on our future to direct those billions to investment in education, retraining and enterprises (small business) engaged in this new creative work?

The Internet, new media, art, literature, science and new technology are just some of the areas enabling thousands of people across the country to make a sustainable and even profitable living for their families while contributing to the overall well-being of their region’s economic health.

Difficult but important ideas and decisions for discussion and ultimate action.

To listen to Florida’s interview on CBC Metro Morning click here.

Our Kids are Practicing What They Preach

Thanks to an innovative “social web design site” called NetGenDesign I was introduced to a video that got me thinking in new ways about the generation that defines my children–the Millennials.  The information shared wasn’t all that new but the video presentation really helped to drive home the message in ways that impressive authors and witty columnist hadn’t.

These kids, our children, will be inheriting the most debt of any generation before them along with some of the worst global issues ever.

Just as I was about to slump in resignation, guilt and sorrow about the legacy we’ve left our kids, the video  shifted its focus to other realities.  Come 2016 these Millennials will form the largest voting block in North America.

Collectively they are the most culturally diverse, volunteer oriented, anti-war focused, environmentally sensitive and technologically brilliant of any generation to date.

What I ultimately took from this video is that this generation that we’re raising will be uniquely ready for the challenges facing them.

It’s as if we created a generation specifically wired for the mess we left them.

Take a look a look at this video and see what you think: