The Question of Development in the South Sound

Economic development is a term that gets tossed around a lot. Every city and region wants it, and a lot of projects and initiatives claim it as both their driving force and ultimate outcome. But how do we know real economic development when we see it? What are the factors that contribute to and support meaningful, sustainable economic development?

Every year the Urban Studies Department at the University of Washington Tacoma hosts a forum on important urban issues in the context of the South Sound region. It's one of multiple events put on each year by the department, from which we have come to expect intelligent debate, and at times hard-hitting questions.

This year's forum topic is the urgent question of development. This follows last year's discussion of "urban branding," moving on from the question of "what do we want to be?" and beginning to tackle some of the "how do we get there?" questions. 

As the South Sound region expands its search for new investors who can shape our collective vision for development, the interests of current residents and employers must also be considered.

This Forum assembles a number of experts, developers, and public sector decision makers to discuss what the future might hold for the South Sound region. The conversation will cover the challenges and opportunities around development in the South Sound region.

This year we expect to hear discussion of how the region can foster economic development, and the kinds of housing needed to support that development. The panels will be a mix of academics and experts from across the country and our region. And they're not all going to agree on everything, which should make for rich, nuanced discussion. For example, the afternoon panel on affordable and market rate housing includes Michael Mirra from Tacoma Housing Authority and Loren Cohen from Point Ruston, so we're guessing you can expect to hear some different perspectives.

And that's the fun thing about these forums: they're not all boosterism and rose-colored glasses, but they're also not doom and gloom and pessimism. It's a chance to be in a room with really smart people who know a lot about the topic at hand, and to hear their answers to some tough questions.

Recent Urban Studies-hosted conversations focused on hot topics of the Charter Review debate over the strong mayor form of government, and the public process (or lack thereof) around the new Pierce County General Services Building.

Similarly, we expect at least a couple of the speakers at this week's event not to pull their punches in telling us what they think of the situation of the South Sound region. We also expect to hear some concrete suggestions for moving toward real economic development in our region.

The free event is open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more, including registration information on the Urban Studies Forum event page.