Place


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

Money in Place

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. As global tensions rise and Canada seeks economic resilience, the message was clear: investing in “place” is not just idealistic—it’s essential for long-term prosperity.

Taking the “Marble Cake” Challenge

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.

The Cascading Effects of Federal Retrenchment

Federal retrenchment is triggering fiscal, economic, and structural shocks nationwide, forcing local and state leaders to navigate cascading impacts and lead regional responses as federal support pulls back.

View all of our Place publications