Elana Levin

It was City-tastic!

Last night's event with the brand new Mayor of Buffalo, Byron Brown, was a great success.

One of the issues he discussed that was particularly interesting was how one city- Utica - invited refugees from all over the world to move there as a way of revitalizing what had been a dying city. He spoke of using diversity as a resource. I suddenly find myself curious to visit Utica and see what it looks like these days.

Anyone who has seen the droves of tourists come into New York City's famed ethnic enclaves for unique, delicious and usually very affordable food and entertainment should understand how central diversity is to the New York economy. Why would anyone travel to New York if was just like everywhere else?

As neighborhoods redevelop and reconfigure they need to ensure that the diversity and culture that lead folks to want to live there in the first place is protected and more neighborhoods are fighting to preserve that. Areas must be zoned to protect mom-and-pop stores and other distinctive local establishments and manufacturing space must be preserved so businesses can continue to make unique "Made In New York" products. When I walk out my apartment on a weekend morning I trip over tourists from around the world checking out the local color of Brooklyn (even on days they shut the trains down people still find a way to get here).

I hope someone does a study showing how New York's diversity contributes to our huge tourism industry. One of the most interesting studies of the year looked at the economic contribution of New York's vast creative sector and how it is now jeopardized by being priced out due to its own success. The study is called "Creative New York" and anyone interested in urban economics and sociology should read it. The study shows that London is another city that we could be learning from.

Posted at 10:25 AM, Mar 10, 2006 in New York | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)