Four Cities That Post-Industrial Cities Can Learn From

Many former industrial hubs have gone through a rough spell in recent decades. From a declining population, sluggish economic growth and high crime rates, these cities have struggled for an extended period. However, some city leaders have begun to point their cities in the right direction by identifying opportunities for a rebound. Still, there is much more to do before most cities can view themselves as having risen from the ashes.

Around the world, we see many examples of cities that have succeeded in the face of daunting challenges. Below are four cities that others can learn from and emulate. Each of these cities are former manufacturing hubs that faced the collapse of their leading industries. Likewise, each of these cities faced demographic stagnation or decline. They also faced stiff competition from rival cities. Finally, each of these cities successfully re-invented themselves and are now admired for their growth and for the improvement in the livelihoods of their inhabitants.

Here are four of those cities that other post-industrial cities can learn from.

Toronto: If any city in the world should be the aspirational goal for other post-industrial cities, it is Toronto. This city has gone from being a lakeside manufacturing hub to a global economic center in the span of just a few decades. Sure, Toronto benefitted from the missteps of its great rival, Montreal, which has stagnated in recent decades. However, Toronto was also very proactive in becoming Canada’s leading financial and technological hub. At the same time, Toronto was very successful in attracting talent from around the world thanks to its forward-thinking immigration policies. At the same time, Toronto took the steps needed to redevelop its lakefront and downtown, which are now vibrant economic and cultural centers. There is no better example in the world of a city that other post-industrial cities should hope to emulate.

Manchester: The English city of Manchester was once one of the world’s leading manufacturing centers. In Manchester’s case, this manufacturing was focused on textiles. Meanwhile, downtown Manchester had become extremely run-down. To revive the city, the entire region around Manchester worked together. Political and economic leaders diversified Manchester’s economy through investment, while the region’s universities developed a workforce fit for a modern economy. At the same, downtown Manchester was rebuilt, transforming it into a hub for business and tourism. This shows that a downtrodden manufacturing hub can rise from the depths to re-invent itself.

Adelaide: This city was once the heart of Australia’s automotive industry, an industry that is now virtually wiped out in that country. Instead, Adelaide was forced to re-invent itself and its economy. To do this, the city’s leaders pivoted to high-growth industries such as defense and aerospace, while the wine industry in the region around Adelaide was positioned to generate export growth and to attract tourists. In fact, the entire state of South Australia worked together to boost its leading city’s fortunes, and this has led to a dramatic revival for Adelaide.

Pittsburgh: The US city of Pittsburgh has also done a great job of re-inventing itself. Of course, Pittsburgh is famous for the collapse of its heavy manufacturing industries. However, Pittsburgh was able to develop new, high-growth economic hubs, most notably in the healthcare, high-tech and education sectors. It used its universities to help develop these industries and to provide talent to allow them to grow in Pittsburgh. It also made major investments in improving its transportation infrastructure. Finally, Pittsburgh benefitted from the strong coordination of its public and private sectors.

Other post-industrial cities can learn a lot from these cities, as each of them faced similar crises to those that have plague so many other cities. First, like these cities, any city seeking to reinvent itself needs to aggressively target investment in industries that will provide growth in the future, and lessen its dependence upon industries with weaker growth prospects. Second, a city’s various political, economic and educational institutions need to stop focusing on protecting their own fiefs and instead work together for the good of their city, which is the heart of their region. Third, each of the cities were able to attract young professionals from outside of their region, something that many other cities are working hard to accomplish. Finally, the private sector and universities both played a vital role in the success of the cities that others should strive to emulate.

The dramatic changes that are taking place today are giving post-industrial cities a unique opportunity to revive their fortunes. If all of the various stakeholders in these cities realize this, they can follow the examples of those cities that have transformed themselves, re-ignited their economies, and improved the living standards of their inhabitants. They urgently need to take advantage of this opportunity before it is too late.