Inaugural Event Recap: Collaboration & Innovation
Our event on October 27 was a big success, with over 120 people from around the region tuning in. Webinars are always a tricky format since it's difficult to break down that virtual wall and enable the kind of dynamic, free-flowing exchange that's possible in person, but they're also a powerful tool to expand the boundaries of the conversation and engage a large coalition of folks that you may not otherwise be able to reach. We're continuing to seek out ways to equitably extend these kinds of dialogues into a range of communities often left out of the discussion.
This event is meant to be the beginning of an important and ongoing conversation about how small cities can continue to be resilient not just through this pandemic but through future crises as well, including the cascading effects of climate change. Part 2 of the series, focusing on Pathways to Equity during Covid and beyond, will be in January, and Part 3, on translating talk to action, will take place in March. Let us know how we may facilitate future conversations in your small city.
Our presenters brought a rich range of perspectives to the table:
KAJA KÜHL, an urban designer and associate professor at Columbia University's GSAPP, kicked us off by narrating her experiencing of designing humanistic, collaborative, inclusive public spaces during the pandemic with her Design For Six Feet Initiative, with projects in both Hudson and Newburgh. Her methodology involves the incorporation of co-creation, activism, and social knowledge into her design and planning work.
"We're designing spaces that allow people to be physically distanced while staying socially connected," said Ms. Kühl.
PHILIP MORRIS, CEO of Proctor's Collaborative, described the intense strategic and existential pivot that his network of creative cultural institutions have undergone during the pandemic, completely altering the business model of the enterprise. He talked about the tenuous state of the creative economy during Covid and gave tips for maintaining resilience in uncertain times by balancing the need to know who you are even as you seize on opportunities to innovate.
“Covid had a shocking impact on us. We went from being a $30 million-a-year organization to a $2 million-a-year organization,” said Mr. Morris. “Our institution is the exact opposite of social distancing and will be the exact opposite of social distancing ultimately. We need to wait it out and give a sense of confidence about waiting it out."
CYNTHIA NIKITIN, former SVP of Project for Public Spaces and a Senior Fellow at Sustainable Hudson Valley, offered a range of examples of resilient planning and placemaking that takes in account both climate adaptation as well as the essential involvement of the community in the planning process in fundamental ways, including the transformation of corner bodegas into centers of food sovereignty and programing inclusive, safe activities like night markets in public spaces.
"A community's connection to place is at the very heart of resilience," said Ms. Nikitin. "Therefor we need to make collaboration inescapable."
GEORGETTE STEFFENS, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID, described how during the pandemic the city of Albany and local organizations leaned into flexible, real time planning by relaxing zoning laws in order to allow outdoor dining and small businesses to effectively pivot their business models, networks, and costumer interface.
"Sometimes innovation requires government to get out of the way," said Ms. Steffens.
At the same time she acknowledged that local and regional governments must step in during times of crises to support citizens in a multiplicity of creative ways so that communities, particularly front line communities, don't just weather the storm but will ultimately rise above it.
To see the full video of the event, click on the video image below. In addition, here is a packet of takeaway materials for you to download, in which the panelists offer their reflections on resilience. You can also read your responses on what innovations you've noticed during the pandemic.
Thanks, and see you next time.
(We're all in this together.)
Reif Larsen
Founder, Future of Small Cities Institute