Author Discusses 'The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism'

Bruce Katz, centennial scholar at the Brookings Institution, and Jeremy Nowak, distinguished visiting fellow at Drexel University's Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, argue in their recent book, The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism, that the power to create social, economic, and environmental change lies in the hands of a new kind of localism. Cities and communities are emerging as innovators and problem-solvers to address everything from social inclusion to environmental sustainability despite being limited in these roles by fiscal distress. While not a replacement for the essential functions of  federal governments, Katz and Nowak argue that this new localism is the ideal complement to an effective federal government. Indeed, they argue it is an urgently needed remedy for national dysfunction. Penn IUR Urban Link interviewed Nowak to learn more about how he thinks the new localism will shape 21st century urban places in an environment of municipal fiscal distress.