Aaron Renn writes an argument against economic development investments in the form of stadiums, casinos and convention centers—favored by so many local governments.
"There’s a raging debate about whether the focus of our economic development efforts should be on people or on places," according to an article by Aaron Renn. "That is, should we make investments in people, hoping to see them succeed regardless of where they end up? Or should we focus on investments in particular cities, towns and rural areas in order to bring jobs and growth, thus helping the people who live there?"
Renn recognizes and understands the reasons why local governments display such an expensive predilection for placed-based economic development—but recognizing the incentives for place-based economic development can also be the first step in setting up oversight and controls. A city ready to invest in people will find many opportunities, according to Renn, who cites sewer and wastewater systems as examples of sane investments.
FULL STORY: Should Economic Development Focus on People or Places?
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Report: The State of Public Spaces
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Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
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Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
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Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
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Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.
Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
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Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland