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Can Surrey Really be a True Global City? For Sure and Here’s Why. A Talk to the Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council AGM Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Course, 21 st May 2014 7778 152 nd Avenue, Surrey, BC Michael A. Goldberg Professor and Dean Emeritus Sauder School of Business
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Can Surrey Really be a True Global City? For Sure and Here’s Why A Talk to the Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council AGM Eaglequest Coyote Creek Golf Course, 21st May 2014 7778 152nd Avenue, Surrey, BC Michael A. GoldbergProfessor and Dean Emeritus Sauder School of Business The University of British Columbia
Changing Global Economic Landscapes and Cities • Financial markets: led globalization • Real estate markets globalized next • Global cities network resulted • New International Division of Labor • Global product outsourcing • Now services global too • Cities key global players www.yvr.ca
The Changing Global Context • Economic restructuring • Goodsservices • Naturalhuman resources • Goodsinformation, knowledge, thinking, ideas • Demographic restructuring: aging, immigration, urban not rural growth • Global trade grows twice as fast as GDP
The Changing Global Context (continued) • Social restructuring: • high pay low skill jobs shrinking • more income inequality • Fewer people in resource regions • Global integration, deregulation, reregulation
Cities and the Global Knowledge Economy I • Drivers of global economy • Information and decision centres • Capital centres • Knowledge centres • Innovation centres • Creativity centres • Culture centres http://www.econ.hokudai.ac.jp/~hasimoto/
Cities and the Global Knowledge Economy II • Strategic thinking a must • Cities no longer minor actors • Global urban competition for human capital • Education: attracts/retains best people • Tolerance, talent, technology • Cultural diversity – civic urban society • All regions need strategy to prosper
Cities and the Global Knowledge Economy III • Strategic Assets of Cities • Agglomeration • Diversity – stability • Efficient urban form • Quality of living environment • Strong governance • Open to change & globalization • Quality – quantity public goods • Internal-external accessibility • Educated flexible labour force • Support services
Cities and the Global Knowledge Economy IV • Strategic liabilities of cities • NIMBY-NIMTE resist change • Fragmentation, local competition • Income disparities • Vulnerability • Aging buildings and infrastructure • Limited tax base and autonomy • Limited access to capital • Weak finances http://www.sensibletransportation.org http://www.benwiens.com
http://pointofview.bluehighways.com/images/sprawl.jpg http://www.mit.ocw.universia.net http://www.unce.unr.edu Two starkly different urban forms: The Choice is Ours
Going Forward: Thinking and Acting Strategically • Strategic thinking and action is 4 things • See world as it really is • Respond to changed reality • Choose from new alternatives • Seize chosen opportunities
Thinking – Acting Regionally and Cooperatively: Governance Issues • Need regional gov’ts as regional fiduciaries • NIMBY – NIMTE block regional needs • No one speaks for regions now • Sydney is extreme cure • Can-US Joint Commission • EU also a model • Senior intervention is key http://pointofview.bluehighways.com/images/sprawl.jpg
Elements of New Thinking • Use strengths to build new economy • Get new metaphors • Build urban economy on industries & firms: • With responsive innovative cultures • Eager to compete globally • Switch from AM to FM to hear emerging ideas • Get new measures for new goals www.discoveryparks.com
Surrey in this Context - I Some Assets • Visionary politicians and senior city managers • Future tolls on roads and bridges • New City Centre • Diverse Economy and ALR • Innovation Boulevard • Land supply • PMV – Surrey • Port Mann Railyards • Diverse population • Great access to US • City Centre Transit • Low taxes • Growing rapidly http://www.mtarch.com/van-surrey1130re08.jpg
Surrey in this Context - II Some Liabilities • Lack of certainty on transit • Looming tolls and congestion charges • Lack of strong regional government • Urban sprawl from earlier era • Rapid growth and costs • Huge area to govern • Traffic congestion
Suggestions to seize global opportunities • Build on assets • Logistics (Land, PMV, rail, US access, SFPR, etc.) • Innovation Boulevard (Hospital, Fraser Health, SFU-KPU) • Develop ties to Asia, especially India • Enhance food industries on ALR base • Education hub for BC and international students • Niche financial services (SFU, Coast Capital, retirees) • And more…imagination and energy are only limits
Conclusions • Global is the word of the day and the future • Global competition • And, global opportunities • Cities compete globally for talent, investment, jobs • Surrey is well positioned to compete globally • It has the assets needed to compete • A growing global vision • Business leadership that is keen to expand views • So, do it! • Thanks for inviting me and let’s chat