Cities should become living innovation labs, says Saul Kaplan. Only then will we come up with bold system changes that work
I have been asked by Living Cities, a philanthropic collaborative of foundations and financial institutions, to participate in an upcoming economic development roundtable, Changing the Trajectory of an Urban Economy, taking place in Detroit on Mar. 5. Organizers asked each of the participants, public and private-sector leaders from across the country, to provide an answer to the following question:
Given your experience, what are the most "game-changing" ways to use $100 million-plus to change the trajectory of an urban economy?
In other words, if I were given a free hand to use $100 million-plus of grants, what would I do? Here is my answer. I suggest that we turn cities into innovation hot spots.
We are playing defense based on old industrial economy rules and systems. We must play offense to create a 21st century innovation economy in which all citizens can fully participate. A new national economic development conversation should bubble up from cities.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Needed: Urban Innovation Hot Spots - BusinessWeek
Author: Saul Kaplan
