By Joe Peach at This Big City
We hosted another #citytalk tweetchat last week, this time looking at the impact of the global economic downturn on cities and their citizens. It was another busy discussion with hundreds of tweets shared from across the globe. As ever, we asked participants eight questions over the course of an hour. Here are our highlights:
Visible ways cities have been affected by the global economic downturn
A1 in the suburbs of Kansas City, large residential housing developments are still sitting half-finished. #citytalk www2.ljworld.com/photos/2013/fe…
— Mitchel Loring (@MLLoring) February 21, 2013
@thisbigcity A1. YVR: downturn minimal, dev’t industry consolidated. Fewer but bigger projects. Less room for small-scale #citytalk
— neal lamontagne (@nlamontagne) February 21, 2013
A1 Fewer businesses catering to locals, lots of generic souvenir stores and services for tourists in #Banff, Canada. #citytalk
— Jordan Rockerbie (@Jackerbie) February 21, 2013
How can urban governments spend more wisely?
A2 Local govt can focus on training and different kinds of infrastructure to support small business. #citytalk
— Rory Williams (@carbonsmart) February 21, 2013
More transparent procurements? <Q2> How can urban governments spend more wisely? #citytalk
— Michiel de Lange (@mdelange) February 21, 2013
How citizens have managed recessions
A3 Citizens have been known to implement innovative social and community finance schemes i.e. @banquepalmas #citytalk
— Maren Larsen (@mareninthecity) February 21, 2013
A3: Shift to public transport in Cape Town -massive mentally change (in process) for a city that focus on getting around in cars #CityTalk
— Skye Grove (@SkyeGrove) February 21, 2013
A3: Stopping paid security services for community based ‘neighbourhood watch’ programs and other schemes. #CityTalk
— Rouen Smit (@OSlOlSO) February 21, 2013
What kind of new economic challenges could an urban world face?
A4: Cities drive the global economy. What about when things go wrong? An urban world could be more susceptible to recession. #citytalk
— Joe Peach (@thisbigcity) February 21, 2013
#citytalk A4: density increases both the good and the bad, innovation and protest, so risk of societal breakdown in recession > in cities.
— richard palmer (@richpalmeris) February 21, 2013
How life has changed because of the global economic climate
[A5] Many global companies opened branches in the Eastern Europe where I am located. So new jobs created in the cities. #citytalk
— Dana Fatol (@DFatol) February 21, 2013
A5. Research funding available not enough to meet costs- empirical studies talking longer than usual for completion #citytalk
— Mich! (@iammichiewill) February 21, 2013
Can a city be truly sustainable AND economically prosperous?
A6 I can’t give the numbers, but look to Portland, OR as a city that uses sustainability to enhance its economic situation. #citytalk
— Mitchel Loring (@MLLoring) February 21, 2013
A6: There is also the point that “growth” doesn’t imply prosperity nor inclusivity. Sustainability might reach broader prosperity. #CityTalk
— futurecapetown.com (@futurecapetown) February 21, 2013
A6) Answer remains to be seen. Having great civic engagement and understanding of #opendata are solid building blocks #citytalk
— CityScan (@CityScanInc) February 21, 2013
The impact of failing businesses on everyday city life
A7: Loss of many established businesses, but also more creativity in the way businesses work/promote themselves#citytalk
— Kayla Jonas Galvin (@jonaskayla) February 21, 2013
@thisbigcity A7: split between ‘creative’, high paid work & ‘service’ low-paid work. lost middle ground of blue-collar employment #citytalk
— richard palmer (@richpalmeris) February 21, 2013
The ultimate Recession Cities:
A8: In the US, Detroit & Buffalo are the go-tos, though both also have amazing, creative problem-solvers making great strides. #citytalk — Sarah Heffern (@smheffern) February 21, 2013
A8) Put your hands up for…DETROIT. #citytalk
— Dinika Govender (@DrivingMissD) February 21, 2013
A8: Detroit? Pah. Interesting article about Detroit’s recession status: freep.com/article/201302… #citytalk
— Joe Peach (@thisbigcity) February 21, 2013
Interested in working with us on a #citytalk? Get in touch!
Image via EdYourdon
[…] previous #citytalk tweetchats have looked at the economics of sustainable cities and the impact of the global economic downturn on cities, our next discussion will be the first to look at the opportunity for businesses to operate more […]