The Future of California’s Cities

California has a history of urban innovation, from the earliest missions to the rise of the Gold Rush era in San Francisco, the sprawling metropolis of Southern California and the “technopolis” that emerged in late 20th Century in places like San Jose, San Diego and Orange County.

Today most Californians — including those in the Central Valley — live in cities. These cities face many challenges, from growing populations of poor, immigrants to soaring housing prices. Some, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, compete with other global centers like London, Shanghai and Tokyo. Others find themselves in a battle for manufacturing, service and other jobs with up and coming cities in the developing world.

How cities fare in California will be critical to the future of our state. This presentation, taken from the vantage point of 5,000 years of urban history, assesses the challenges and opportunities that face the cities of the Golden State in the decades ahead.

Participants

• Joel Kotkin
  Irvine Senior Fellow, New America Foundation