Achieving Urban Opportunity, Access, and Economic Inclusion

Achieving Urban Opportunity, Access,  and Economic Inclusion

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Logrando oportunidad urbana, accesibilidad e inclusión económica

Cities and regions are the key social and economic organizing units of our time. They bring together people, jobs, and all that is required for economic growth. Also, urban density tied up with diversity, sparks creativity and innovation in business, arts, culture and society. According to CityLab, almost more than half of the world’s population live in cities and by 2030 it is projected that more than 9 billion people will live in cities and urban centers. Great minds such as Jane Jacobs have noted that cities are engines of innovation and the concentration of talented and creative people promote and accelerate economic growth.

In the United States the revitalization of our major cities has brought great benefits to some but displacement and lack of opportunity to others. Gentrification and income gaps are an unfortunate reality to many.

Everyone should have an opportunity to thrive and to be successful in creating opportunity for all. Leaders in all sectors of society must ask themselves important questions: How can cities yield more positive outcomes for all urban residents, small business owners, and long-term stakeholders?  What can we do to catalyze and accelerate more growth in the lower income and/or higher crime neighborhoods?  How do we ensure that all members of our communities are involved in these discussions, so we can create more inclusive economic opportunities?

Although New Orleans is no stranger to the spirit of continual re-invention that animates American cities, we must keep asking ourselves the hard questions to remain on a trajectory of equity and growth.

To facilitate this discussion, the New Orleans Business Alliance and the Aspen Institute have partnered to bring the Socrates Program to our city. This partnership provides a forum for emerging leaders from various professions to convene and explore contemporary issues through expert-moderated dialogue.

Socrates also provides the opportunity for participants to enter a diverse professional network and the broader range of the Aspen Institute’s programs. The seminars are designed as values-based Socratic explorations to facilitate the exchange of ideas. The Socratic method is one of the most powerful tactics for fostering critical thinking because it provides participants with questions, not answers.

This year the Socrates New Orleans Salon will include a public panel and reception on August 27 (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm) and a day-long seminar on August 28 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) and the theme will focus on Urban Opportunity, Access, and Economic Inclusion.

If you are interested in participating in this discussion, get the details via nolaba.org or AspenInstitue.org.