Flywheels : how cities are creating their own futures / Tom Alberg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Alberg, Tom, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Urban renewal--United States.

Urban renewal.

Technology--Sociological aspects--United States.

Technology.

Cities and towns--Effect of technological innovations on--United States.

Cities and towns.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (296 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

New York : Columbia University Press, [2021]

Summary:

"Once a blue-collar outpost, Seattle, home to Microsoft, Amazon, and hundreds of startups, transformed into one of the world’s major innovation hubs in less than twenty years. As other cities try to solve the riddle of creating vibrant economies, many have looked to Seattle as a model for tech-driven urban renaissance. However, that success comes with skyrocketing housing costs, increasing homelessness, public safety concerns, persistent racial inequality, and a widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Against that backdrop, big tech has become a popular target. Tom Alberg, a venture capitalist who was one of the first investors in Amazon, draws on his experience in Seattle’s tech boom to offer a vision for how cities and businesses can build a brighter future together. He explores ways that cities can soar to prosperity by creating the conditions that encourage innovation. Like flywheels, livable cities generate momentum by drawing creative citizens who launch businesses. Success attracts more talent, energizing local economies and accelerating further innovation. Alberg emphasizes the importance of city governments and tech companies partnering to address civic challenges. He reflects on why the benefits of the tech boom have not been distributed equally and what business and government leaders must do differently to ensure inclusive growth. The book also examines success stories from smaller cities and their lessons for other up-and-coming tech hubs. Demonstrating the need for innovative thinking that encourages livability alongside economic growth, Flywheels is timely reading for everyone from mayors to business leaders to engaged citizens."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part 1: Prelude to Jeff Bezos's day 1

Opportunities and challenges of cities

Foundations of the economic flywheel

Seattle's flywheels begin spinning

Microsoft and Amazon innovate to success

Part 2

On the precipice of the future

Investing in the future: talent and capital

New models for success: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Kansas City

Part 3

Livable cities

Public safety and privacy

Homelessness and PreK-12 education

Transportation and environment

Part 4

Government and business: conflicts and cooperation

The future of cities.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780231553186

0231553188

OCLC:

1248598651