Driving Innovation: Can Cities Serve as Models for Solving Some of the Nation's Biggest Domestic Policy Challenges?

In recent years, cities have emerged as the drivers of government innovation. From Seattle and New York to Medellin and Copenhagen, mayors and city managers have found novel ways to address some of the biggest challenges facing society, whether tackling inequality, making communities more sustainable, or investing in infrastructure. With a change of leadership in Washington, will cities be able to maintain—or even accelerate—the pace of progress? And is there an opportunity for the incoming Trump administration to tap into the creative and innovative solutions that cities are pioneering? 



This symposium builds on the findings of Innovation and the City, a recent report by the Center for an Urban Future and NYU Wagner that profiles 15 of the most successful municipal policy reforms across the U.S. and around the world. It will explore what the recent election means for cities as they look to develop and scale up new approaches for solving vexing policy challenges. The forum will also delve into whether there are specific policy areas—or approaches—that could inform the Trump administration’s domestic policy agenda. And it will examine whether cities will need new strategies for advancing policy innovations and scaling municipal programs that work.



Confirmed speakers include: 

• Nigel Jacob, Co-Chair, Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, City of Boston 
• Christiana McFarland, Research Director, National League of Cities 
• Josh Moskowitz, Director, Global Public Affairs, Citi 
• Michael Nutter, Former Mayor, City of Philadelphia 
• Mindy Tarlow, Director, Mayor's Office of Operations, City of New York

Presented by NYU Wagner and Center for an Urban Future. This symposium is made possible with generous support from the Citi Foundation.