by admin | Feb 26, 2017 | Books, Civil rights, Economic development, Geography, Government, History, Movies
The Republic of Botswana, a paragon of progress in today’s Africa, did not start life with any apparent advantages. In fact, the former British protectorate of Bechuanaland, which became independent Botswana, appeared in the 1950s to have bleak prospects, in no small...
by admin | Jun 11, 2016 | Economic development, Environment, History, Industry, Personal history, Restaurants, Travel
Let’s start with the fact, obvious mostly in retrospect, that I should have printed out a map of the Flats Entertainment District in Cleveland rather than relying on Onstar, the GM dial-in navigation system in our Saturn, for directions. (I could also have used my...
by admin | Aug 23, 2015 | Climate, Economic development, Environment, Infrastructure, Resilience, Urban Planning, Water
For a number of years, the American Society of Civil Engineers has been issuing an annual report card on the condition of the nation’s infrastructure. Generally speaking, those grades have not been good: In 2013, the nation’s grade point average was a D+....
by admin | Jul 8, 2015 | Books, Chicago, Economic development, Education, Government, Political philosophy
A very curious op-ed article appeared Monday (July 6) in the Chicago Tribune. Tom Geoghegan, best known as a liberal lawyer who represents labor unions, made a plea for more taxes. Not just any taxes for any reason, but “Tax me, please, so Illinois can compete.” Let...
by admin | Jan 27, 2015 | Blogging, Disaster, Disaster policy, Economic development, Government, Public safety, Resilience, Urban Planning
Two weeks ago, I introduced a new report produced by the American Planning Association under a contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I had the honor of managing the production of Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery: Next Generation over the four years...
by admin | Sep 27, 2014 | Economic development, Education, Government, Urban Planning
College towns can be as different from each other as they are collectively from most other communities. Some literally dominate the economic landscape of their communities. Others are comfortably lodged in a setting that involves a larger community or even a state...
