Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No Exam

This reading group will examine how the enormous challenges thrust upon cities by the Covid-19 pandemic, recession, and the murder of George Floyd, have presented local communities with an exciting, unprecedented opportunity to do things differently and better. Course discussion and materials will focus on specific examples of innovation across policy areas, from public health and affordable housing to police reform, local economic development, education, and land use regulation. Students will think through the future of cities in a post-pandemic America: What would a wide-scale “reset” for cities look like? What does effective leadership require going forward? How can communities ensure that their most vulnerable residents benefit from massive federal investments coming from Washington?

Note: This reading group will meet on the following dates: 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/18, 10/25.