Global Cities: Detroit's International Influence
The Globalization and World Center Network [[GaWC) ranks cities by several factors to gauge their influence beyond their borders.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2008t.html
In 2008, Detroit ranked at the top of the Gamma[[-) world city classification. That is a meaningful drop from it's position at the top of the Gamma classification in 2000.
Although there are several organizations that rank cities based on their international influence, the factors that are generally relevant to all of these studies are a city's: economic, political, cultural, and infrastructural characteristics. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city.
Looking at these rankings got me thinking about Detroit's position compared to other cities. Essentially, what are those more successful cities doing that we are not? Although much of it is driven by economics, it basically boils down to what a region values. Another article on this topic stated "success breeds success." Therefore, cities at the top will more easily remain at the top. This reinforces progressive developments and cooperation among city leaders, whereby success drives future success. This is not really a groudbreaking epiphany, but it seems that cities who lack that mentality quickly lose influence because things become a quagmire- failure breeds failure. Further, each element builds on the others, i.e. transit fuels economic development, cultural hubs lure money and talent, etc. Clearly, it snowballs.
To move Detroit back in the right direction, regional leaders need to understand the characteristics of successful global cities and embrace them. It will be painful at first to make the necessary investments, but it will ensure that Detroit will more easily adapt and stay on top during future periods of global change.
Specifically, this is what I'm talking about:
1. Building infrastructure- mainly in the form of mass transit. In our case, light rail seems to be a necessary and feasible project that will immensely improve the region's potential for growth. Also, imrpove the connectivity to Canada by building a second border crossing between Detroit and Windsor.
2. Centralize the region's economic core in downtown Detroit- Fill that core with amenities and offer a wide-spread of business investment opportunities. Make the central business district a "buffet" of business options in terms of real estate, taxes, and partnerships. Actively poach companies from other regions while fostering homegrown startups. Increasing the visibility and resources of places like TechTown is a must. Streamline all processes relating to business development.
3. Cultural institutions- mainly by encouraging support for the region's world-class institutions, such as the DSO, our libraries, and other artistic ventures. Support new artistic movements that bring vibrancy and relevance to Detroit.
4. Improve education- invest whatever amount of resources necessary to fix the embarrassing state of the region's education system.
Feel free to add to my list...
