Metros are the real “cities” of today’s world — and literally the heart of the American economy. Their collective performance, on every front from entrepreneurial drive to climate change adaptation to educating the next generation, will determine much of the nation’s future. But legally, the metros are orphans, enjoying virtually zero status under federal or state constitutions. And they face formidable challenges as they seek to formulate economic, social, educational, environmental policies to position themselves in today’s global economy. The Citistates Group, with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the William Penn Foundation and Carnegie Corporation, analyzed the major challenges and then convened a meeting of two dozen ex-office holders, journalists, scholars and foundation officials to debate and think through promising next strategies. The sessions were held at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Pocantico Conference Center in Tarrytown, N.Y. A report building on the discussions and findings will be released in early 2012.
The Pocantico Papers
Individual columns on topics arising from the sessions have appeared on Citiwire:
New Cluster-Focused Models for Regional Growth and Collaboration
William Hudnut / Dec 10 2011
Federal Leadership in Sustainable Development — It Is Important!
David Warm / Dec 3 2011
Confessions of a Messy Regionalist
Bill Barnes / Nov 25 2011
Regionalism: Wonky but Real
Mary Newsom / Nov 19 2011
Smart Regions Will Listen To Approaching Hoof Beats
William Stafford / Nov 12 2011
Being Different Together
Kathryn A. Foster / Nov 05 2011
As is the case with all materials resulting from meetings held at the Pocantico Conference Center, the views expressed in these commentaries are not necessarily those of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund., its trustees, or its staff.
