Cities as a source of recovery from the Economic Crisis of 2008: How can cities initiate an economic recovery? Part IV: Strategy 1-Facilitate the “Green” Economy (Part A)

As a preface to a discussion on the proposed strategies that can be used by cities/urbanized areas to ‘bootstrap’ their local political economies, I briefly outlined the creation of the environment that would enable change (see Creating the Environment, Part A , Creating the Environment, Part B, Creating the Environment, Part C .) Cities have to be enablers of change and not reactors to public policy from higher levels of government, as the present leadership at the state and national level is unable or unwilling to devise solutions. Cutting budgets which filter down to local governments also having to cut their budgets is not a solution. It is retrenchment in the hopes that the economy will improve and things can go back to 'normal.' It is evident that it is not only the budgets are in trouble, but also the lack of intellectual resources and morality among our elected leaders to resolve these issues. It is very obvious to the vast amount of the electorate that these representatives only serve special interests and the extremely wealthy. To somehow think that there will be an enlightenment among them and they will favor the public good over those who pay for their multi-million dollar campaigns is fantasy. The recent riots in the U.K. are evident of this distrust of the elite who govern all the nations’ governments. The overturning of dictatorships in the Middle East is also indicative of the acknowledgement that the elite are unwilling and unable to come to grips with the growing realities of globalization. Will there be protests in the U.S. or will the middle class in the U.S. put their hopes in the lackluster and ill-formed ideas of the Tea Party and the liberal agenda? But, there is another path. One that will inspire whole nations and their population and transform our global political economy in a new direction. The solutions must come from the cities and their citizens and ‘bubble up’ to the top. In the blog entry of 9 July 2011, I initiated this discussion concerning how cities can be the source of the recovery and recommended strategies (see Cities as a Source of Economic Recovery, Introduction. and Stategies)

The “Green Economy” has been much touted as the solution to revamping and redirecting the developed and developing world. This term is usually in tandem with the idea of sustainability. These are laudable goals, but often difficult to implement given the present atmosphere of corporate led economies, special interests and other stakeholder allegiances to a dying and unsustainable view of the global political economy. The global economic crisis was brought about by these forces and to expect the same people to come up with a solution is wishful thinking leading to more of the same. A sustainable and a Green Economy must become the reality of cities and not some far-fetched dream. While I fully endorse capitalism, as flawed, as it is, it is far better than any other system thus far proposed and implemented. It is not capitalism that is the problem; it is the present direction and goals of capitalism that are the problem. We have ended an era in international politics and economics and things are in a transitional vortex. Cities must lead this transition. They have in the past and will in the future.


The economy of cities are based on individuals spending more, producing more, making more waste, and consuming more natural resources. Industries and commercial establishments are likewise geared around consuming natural resources, more growth, and more profit. The future is not a pleasant one if it continues in this direction. The question is: Can cities move toward an environment where natural resources are consumed less by individuals and commercial/industrial entities? I think we are moving toward this, but not rapidly enough so that we can gain out freedom from their economically crippling effects. In the next blog entry, I will discuss the definition of a green economy. (To my readers, these blog entries should be  considered as material for a later book to be further refined and expanded. Therefore, they may contain errors of which I must take full responsibility. Any suggestions or comments are welcome which will help me further develop these concepts.)

Cities as a source of recovery from the Economic Crisis of 2008, Part III (C): Establishing the Environment

An overall environment of change must be established. If one expects this change to come from political leaders from above, then one will wait until infinity for this self-entrenched power-brokers to create an environment of change. At this present time, the atmosphere for change is dreary and pedestrian. This is indicative in the Tea Party Movement in the U.S., the bumbling antics of leaders in the European Union, the lackluster leadership in the China and the stubborn retrenched attitudes of dictators in the Middle East. For change to occur there must be a rejection of the status quo and a view of a promising future. . The Tea Party Movement in the US represents cutting taxes, eliminating benefits, supporting capitalism run by financial institutions, large corporations and the wealthy elite and continuing the constant state of warfare that America has been waging in Iraq and Afghanistan. The diverse leadership in the European Union is confused and fumbling to address monetary problems in its member states, particularly Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. The leadership in China is attempting to maintain state controlled economy and society, but is struggling and realizing that they are in the cab of a runaway train. Likewise, the remaining dictators (including those in Saudi Arabia) in the Middle East instead of leading reform are attempting to maintain their power.


The creation of the environment of change in urbanized areas begins with recognizing the myriad problems in cities, such as crime, education, drug addition, unemployment, struggling housing market, inequitable treatment of minorities, air pollution, unsustainable energy consumption, inefficient disposal of solid waste, traffic congestion, poor public transportation, etc. This could be termed as the emergence of the environment of change. Afterwards, the recognition of the multiple solutions for these problems. Finally, is an up well of the notion that things can be changed, and it can be done despite the obstacles? This forms the basis for networked relational planning for any city. The next part of these blogs will focus on the strategies for change.

References:

Healey, P. (2006) Urban Complexity and Spatial Analysis Strategies: Towards a Relational
Planning for our Times. London: Routledge.

Lewin, R. (1999). Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press.

Vassoler-Froelich, I. ( 2007), Urban Brazil: Visions, Afflictions and Governance Lessons.
Cambria Press: Youngstown, New York.