Economic development approaches in the United States typically focus either on attracting more jobs, people, or new or relocated businesses, or on persuading people to move to places that are successful according to per-capita income metrics. However, these efforts usually offer few benefits to existing residents and, what is worse, can lead to gentrification and displacement. This narrow focus often pays insufficient attention to ensuring that residents have access to the resources they need to have healthy and meaningful lives. In addition, current economic development practices fail to address the social inequities and structural barriers created by the racial bias embedded in our nation’s institutions and land-use policies and practices.
Panelists present initial findings from an ongoing analysis of economic development models from cities that have used alternative metrics or practices that emphasize health and racial equity. To ground this analysis, representatives from various municipalities share their successes, challenges, and plans.
NPC Peer Reviewers assigned this presentation a learning level of Intermediate. For more on learning-level descriptions, visit our General Information Page.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the costs of maintaining existing economic development practices.
Explore emerging economic development practices that emphasize health and racial equity.
Investigate how these practices may be applied in different municipal contexts.
