Challenging the status quo

   Harvard professor Edward Glaeser has made a stir with his challenge of the region's economic development strategy. In a nutshell, he argues that instead of investing in buildings, the region should put its money into people.

   He addressed about 300 people last Friday at WNED-TV. Here is a link to a video of his appearance, along with his Power Point presentation. Also, here is a link to the original piece he wrote for City Journal.

   Among his observations about the futility of government policy here:

"Since the 1950s, the federal government has showered billions upon billions of dollars on Buffalo and other failing cities, seeking to revitalize them. The spending reflected a natural, humane impulse. But none of it worked, as Buffalo’s entrenched poverty and shrinking population testify."

   His recommendation:

"A sensible federal approach for upstate New York would invest in people-based policies that improve the economic futures of the children growing up there." 

   Given the track record of current economic development efforts in this region, the professor is worth listening to.

Comments

[Combover]

He's right. I don't understand why people were/are so up in arms at his article.

[JIm Allen]

I agree with Ed Glaeser in regard the importance of a "people-based" approach to development but his notion of "shrinking to greatness" is nothing more than an excuse to don our Zubaz and crack open a six-pack.
Richard Florida, another new economy guru discusses the idea of "megaregions" dominating the global economy in the future. Buffalo is in the middle of such a megaregion; one that he calls "Tor-Buf-Chester." In spite of the name being terrible, the concept is one that our region needs to embrace. Connecting and collaborating with Toronto and Rochester to create a 21st century megaregion is much more inspiring than Glaeser's bromide of "treat people well and don't worry about ever being a major player in the global economy." Giving up should not be on our region's agenda but I'm afraid that it will have great appeal to many of our elected and self-annoited leaders. Let's hope not.

[The Relocated]

People Centered Planning for regional development? Brilliant! The problem is which people do we focus on and how do we do it? Small business are wonderful but when the corporate giants make it their business to eliminate local competition how can they be competitive. Sadly,economic opportunity for all is an illusion. Everyone knows that it takes money to make money. Given the tax situation in this state whose money are we going to use to make it? Given our track record of poor decision making why should anyone provide us with capitol?

[Tom Zarek]

Glaeser is a wolf in sheeps clothing. Follow the money and who paid him to come to Buffalo in the first place. People based approaches are fine, but cylon based are better. I am the final cylon.