Place
.ashx?la=en)
Shops and small-business buildings in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH | Photo by Carol M. Highsmith
Disruptive macro forces are reshaping the global economy, ushering in a New Economic Order. The Nowak Lab helps cities and metropolitan regions navigate these changes by leveraging their distinct competitive assets to foster innovative, inclusive, and resilient growth. Through research on topics such as the industrial geography, innovation districts, and the clean energy transition, the Lab bridges the gap between “macro” trends and “metro” opportunities. Recognizing that the impacts of these forces vary widely across the U.S., the Lab provides actionable economic analyses to help local leaders assess their position within this evolving landscape and harness their region’s potential to maximize local impact.
Recent Publications
Since the launch of Houston's Department of Government Efficiency, leaders like Angela Blanchard and Steven David have been working to transform how the city prepares for crises and delivers public services. Highlighting Mayor Whitmire’s commitment to accountability and resilience, this work includes a deep operational overhaul, major infrastructure investments like reliable power for critical facilities, and a candid reckoning with Houston’s vulnerability to climate disasters.
The Fogo Island retreat, hosted by Shorefast and the Canadian Urban Institute, brought together community leaders and capital providers to explore how to better align global investment with local economies. Set in a community revitalized by Zita Cobb’s place-based model, the retreat highlighted the power of local sourcing, import-replacement, and integrated economic development.
In 1959, President Eisenhower called for national goals and highlighted the need for shared responsibility across government levels. His “marble cake” model of federalism, showing the overlap of federal, state, and local roles, remains relevant today as states and cities take on more responsibility in complex policy areas like housing and defense.
View all of our Place publications