Managing Director Public Non-Profit Solutions, Streetsense; Former New York City Planning Commissioner
This was such a thoughtful (and surprisingly personal!) conversation with an amazing group of individuals. Thank you to the Center for an Urban Future for hosting this discussion on New York's economic competitiveness in the face of hybrid work. Seth Pinsky's opening remarks really struck a chord: New Yorkers have a constant internal calculus going on in our heads - are the costs of living here worth the rewards? We have to continue to make sure those rewards are worth it, by ensuring that this city remains a great place to live, grow a career, be energized by access to culture/education, raise children, and more. A few things we touched upon include: 👉 Have you *tried* navigating the public school system in New York? I have many friends and colleagues who have given up and moved to the suburbs. As our own family navigates the overwhelming process of high school applications, I find myself EXTREMELY sympathetic. 👉 Solving for the last mile. The commute for many low and moderate-income New Yorkers who rely on public transportation from more affordable outer borough neighborhoods needs to improve. One way this is happening is through micro-mobility. I see this every day from my perch in Jackson Heights, Queens where 34th Avenue - an "open street" - has become an extremely valuable safe path for a growing community of cyclists and e-mobility users. We need more of this, not less. Urban environments are tailor-made for this form of mobility, and more would consider this if safe options were available. My 13-year-old son bikes to school nearly every day because we now have a safe way for him to do so. 👉 Regulatory reform. Starting a business in New York is challenging enough, but unfortunately, our rules and regulations make the hurdle to entry even higher. This stifles economic activity. We MUST pass The City of Yes for Economic Opportunity, a set of zoning reforms that would remove outdated limitations on businesses. These reforms are LONG overdue. 👉 It's about culture, stupid. New York is unrivaled in its cultural offerings - and frankly, this is our secret sauce! Leaning into this will be great for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Jessica Walker suggested it was time to do something as ambitious as The Gates, the 2005 Christo installation in Central Park that attracted 4 million people and generated $254 million for the City. She is absolutely right! 👉 Return to work cannot be the goal. The world before COVID-19 worked well for the privileged. As a parent, that system was broken for me and my family. I do not miss getting home frazzled with no time to make dinner, nor the two-hour round-trip commute that left little time for personal wellness or simply a good night's sleep. We can't go back. Not when we now know that hybrid work is also reducing our carbon footprint. Last I heard there was also a global climate crisis to consider... As you can see, we covered alot of ground! Looking forward to more of this.
Thanks to the Center for an Urban Future and Jonathan Bowles for assembling this panel (and including me) to discuss Keeping New York City Competitive In An Age Of Hybrid Work moderated by Eli Dvorkin with panelists Seth Pinsky Julie Samuels Winston Fisher Larisa Ortiz Jessica Walker. Kudos to Center for an Urban Future for taking the lead on this important topic in this changing post-Covid environment.
Colleen Galvin
10mo
Thanks for sharing this summary, Larisa, and very sorry to have missed it. Will look online to see if a recording is available on CUF'S site.
Jason Ambrose
9mo
All this, but insert ‘San Francisco’…(or other Tier 1 city)..
Marie Ternes Boster
10mo
I was bummed to miss this, but love your recap!
Jennifer Brown
10mo
That was a great panel discussion, thanks to all!
Larisa, sounds like an amazing event! wish I was there... David
Founder @ Perch Advisors, LLC
10moIt sure was! Interesting to hear you ditched your car for an ebike!!!