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December 1, 2004
Is there any topic that’s been the subject of more civic “beer talk” than “regionalism”? Probably not. Time travel back into the 1960’s, or even the 1920’s, for that matter, and you’ll find endless reports, conferences, op-ed pieces, speeches, articles, flyers, and forums all focused on the issue. What’s the question ? — some variation on how the 350-odd local governments in this region, and three states, could work together in pursuit of lower-cost public services and more sensible public policies.
And what’s happened as a result of all that beer swilling? Precious little, it appears. A few major structural changes (the Regional Planning Commission and SEPTA created in the 1960’s), a few isolated agreements to share a snow plow or two between municipality A and municipality B, a few notable civic successes (the Greater Phialdelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation).
Why so little progress? It’s hard, is why. This is a region, as the author David Rusk notes, that’s divided into little boxes, and each one of those little boxes has its own traditions, leadership, and local interests, and doesn’t really want to change (except to go back in time). Lacking many major companies or powerful “bridging” institutions, regional efforts have many shoals on which to founder.
And yet, regional efforts are like the (truly awful) 1959 cult classic The Brain that Wouldn’t Die. Translated: they make too much sense not to continue to pursue. This is a regional economy, with a regional labor market, a regional housing market, and a regional transportation network, that does compete with other regions for jobs and investment and talent. We all lead regional lives — live one place, work another, shop another, eat another. Thinking and acting like a region is not really even a choice.
Either we find ways to get our regional act together, or all of the wonderful communities in this region share (continue?) in a slow painful death spiral.
So this issue of the Review is dedicated to keeping the flame lit, looking for ideas and practices, here and elsewhere, that continue to move us toward a more regional future. First up are two pieces that highlight interesting new ways of practicing regional thinking and doing. A new book, Civic Revolutionaries: Igniting the Passion for Change in America’s Communities, explores how the American tradition of experimenting with new ways of bringing about positive change dating back to our Founding Fathers is still quite relevant in 21st century Greater Philadelphia. In “The Practice of Stewardship,” the Alliance for Regional Stewardship describes how metropolitan areas can continue the tradition of positive change. Next up is an interesting historical tour of the Boston region and its economy that points out that reinvention and renewal are the hallmarks of healthy regions. Change happens — it’s got to happen — and that’s a good lesson for the Philadelphia region. Then the short, short Reader’s Digest version of the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission recommendations that many suggest holds a key to this region’s economic renewal. Finally, we head to Chicago, where, in the classic spirit of the City of Big Shoulders, a group called Chicago Metropolis 2020 has outlined a powerful high impact blueprint for the region and its future.
Remember in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when the village undertaker’s making the rounds calling out for people to “bring out your dead?” And how in the midst of it one of the corpses comes back to life, protesting that he’s not dead yet, that he’s feeling much better? Well, there’s regionalism for you. It’s not dead yet. Maybe it’s actually feeling much better.
Articles from this issue (PDF format):
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