Edward Glaeser on Cities

Education Reform

Education reform, particularly through charter schools, plays a pivotal role in urban revitalization. Edward Glaeser emphasizes the need for Detroit to focus on charter schools and voucher-like experiments to improve its educational landscape. He argues that the troubled public school system could benefit from a shift towards privatization, as seen in successful models like the industrial design charter school in Detroit 1. This school, tied to vocational education, offers a blend of college prep and hard skills, highlighting the potential of a competitive system to deliver economically valuable skills 2.

The more troubled a public school system is, the more the case there is for really going almost entirely private.

--- Edward Glaeser

Glaeser suggests that such reforms could lead to a brighter future for students, whether they remain in Detroit or move elsewhere.

   

Privatization

Privatization and policy reforms are crucial for revitalizing cities like Detroit. Edward Glaeser discusses the potential of shrinking the city's physical footprint and increasing private sector competition in services like education and trash pickup 3. He cites New Orleans as an example of aggressive charterization post-Katrina, suggesting that similar strategies could benefit Detroit. However, political challenges often hinder such reforms, as admitting the need for privatization can be seen as a failure by city leaders 3.

The federal government shouldn't be picking winners or losers in particular places.

--- Edward Glaeser

Glaeser also highlights the importance of political competition in fostering effective city governance, noting that cities with sustained one-party rule, like Detroit, may suffer from corruption and inertia 4.