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Articles by Max Bouchet
Subnational Diplomacy: Why the United States Needs It More Than Ever
Foreign & Public Diplomacy United States In 2017, around the time U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, more than 400 U.S. cities and counties stepped into the leadership void and adopted ambitious climate action goals. And this September, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United States for the United Nations General Assembly meetings, he sat down with Pennsylvania Gov.
Are cities engines of production or consumption, and does it matter?
Although urbanization began many millennia ago, for most of human history cities were home to the few. At the beginning of the first industrial revolution in 1765, less than 10 percent of the population lived in urban areas and economic growth largely depended on the productivity of the rural workforce.
Nonprofits’ critical role in deploying federal investments: Observations from the Transforming Cities Lab
As the second tranche of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding flows to municipalities around the country, new realities are surfacing about cities’ and counties’ readiness to execute on this unprecedented amount of money. Not surprisingly, the picture is mixed. Under pressure to expedite funding allocations, local public officials must balance acute, pandemic-related relief needs with strategic, longer-term recovery expenditures.
Local leadership driving progress on the Sustainable Development Goals
As the halfway point to 2030 nears, the importance of cities and local leaders to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become clear. A global, city-led movement is going beyond the confines of SDG 11 to demonstrate leadership on all aspects of the SDGs, characterized by innovation, action, and progress on display, as local leaders adapt the framework to their own scale and context.
A conversation with Mayor Brian Bowman of Winnipeg, Canada
On November 8, Tony Pipa hosted Mayor Brian Bowman of Winnipeg, Canada for a discussion of Winnipeg’s leadership on indigenous inclusion, climate change, COVID-19 resilience, and smart technology. Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below. Bowman entered office in 2014, at a time when public trust in Winnipeg’s government was especially low. His ambition included growing Winnipeg to a population of 1 million in a way that builds community trust and cohesion.
Growing American leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals
The 2021 U.N. General Assembly met at a tumultuous time for the world and for the United States—with looming concerns about climate change, rising inequality within and between countries, and a pressing need to ensure an equitable and sustainable global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues are central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of ambitious targets for 2030 that all countries agreed in 2015 to address poverty, climate change, and inequalities.
A conversation with Nicolas Gharbi, principal advisor on international affairs of Madrid
On November 8, Tony Pipa, senior fellow of the Brookings Center for Sustainable Development, hosted Nicolas Gharbi, principal advisor on international affairs of the Madrid City Council, for a discussion of his experience as a city diplomat and the role that cities play in achieving global agendas. Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below. Gharbi described Madrid’s engagement at multiple levels of governance: as the capital of Spain, as a European city, and as a global city.
Ensuring the durability of local commitments to the SDGs
The long-term horizon of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) poses a challenge to any elected government since their achievement depends on sustained efforts across multiple election cycles. While municipal governments and mayors across the world voluntarily demonstrate significant leadership on sustainable development, they face special challenges in advancing progress, as their policy choices are often more constrained and their internal capacity more limited than national counterparts.
How Louisville can become a stronger and more equitable hub for AI and data economy jobs
Like many other cities and regions around the country, Louisville, Ky. faces a series of stark economic and social challenges coinciding with the COVID-19 crisis. As local leaders attempt to chart a course for an economically and racially inclusive recovery, opportunities to create and preserve good-paying jobs in growing sectors—and ensure equitable access to those jobs—are emerging as key priorities.
Partnership among cities, states, and the federal government: Creating an office of subnational diplomacy at the US Department of State
Contents Summary Challenge Limits of historic and existing policies Policy recommendations Conclusion Summary Meeting with U.S. mayors shortly after the U.S. election, President-elect Joe Biden pledged to work with them in a new partnership between local and federal governments as part of his “Build Back Better” agenda. The COVID-19 crisis has illustrated the leadership role that cities and states play in addressing the transnational challenges driving the new administration’s domestic agenda.
The Urban 20 (U-20): Pathways to maximizing its partnership with the G-20
Just three years from its official launch, the Urban 20 (U-20) is becoming a promising platform to elevate an urban perspective within the deliberation of the G-20, one of the world’s key forums for global policymaking. The U-20 works alongside other “engagement groups,” such as the Women 20, the Think Tank 20, and the Youth 20 to enrich the G-20 decisionmaking process.
City playbook for advancing the SDGs
This “City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs” compiles a series of how-to briefs and case studies on advancing sustainable development and social progress locally. These short, digestible, and practical briefs are written by city government officials for other city officials, based on their direct experience.
The Urban 20 (U-20): Seeking to influence the G-20 through city diplomacy
While all eyes were on President Trump’s attendance at the G-20 Leaders Summit this past weekend hosted by Saudi Arabia, he is not the only U.S. political leader who engages with counterparts under its umbrella. From September 30 to October 2, mayors and city representatives came together under the banner of the Urban 20 (U-20), to shape an urban agenda to influence the priorities of the national leaders of the G-20.
Reimagining the global economy: Building back better in a post-COVID-19 world
The COVID-19 global pandemic has produced a human and economic crisis unlike any in recent memory. The global economy is experiencing its deepest recession since World War II, disrupting economic activity, travel, supply chains, and more. Governments have responded with lockdown measures and stimulus plans, but the extent of these actions has been unequal across countries.
American leadership in advancing the SDGs to achieve equity and sustainability
In late September, during the 2020 U.N. General Assembly, the Brookings Institution and the United Nations Foundation hosted the second annual event, American Leadership in Advancing Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It showcased leadership, a sense of community, and an honest reflection of the challenges and opportunities facing Americans as they pursue social and environmental progress.
A conversation with Henri-Paul Normandin, director of international relations for the city of Montreal
On October 14, Max Bouchet, a senior policy analyst in the Brookings Global Economy and Development program, hosted Henri-Paul Normandin, director for international relations for the city of Montreal for a discussion of his experience as a city diplomat and the role that cities play in achieving global agendas. Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below.
A conversation with Jan Vapaavuori, mayor of Helsinki
On September 3, Brookings Senior Fellow Anthony F. Pipa and Helsinki Mayor Jan Vapaavuori discussed Helsinki’s leadership in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally and the city’s strategy to be “the most functional city in the world.” Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below.
A conversation with Chris Castro, director of sustainability and resilience for Orlando
On July 15, Chris Castro, director of sustainability and resilience for the city of Orlando, Florida, and Anthony F. Pipa, senior fellow at Brookings, discussed how Orlando sees its COVID-19 response efforts as fundamentally tied to sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below.
A conversation with Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol
In a wide-ranging conversation on July 22, Brookings Senior Fellow Anthony F. Pipa and Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees examined the role that cities are playing on the front lines of COVID-19 and reviewed lessons in leadership and governance while tackling issues of race, class, and climate change. Watch the whole conversation here or read the highlights below. In light of COVID-19, local leaders are under pressure to act fast to restore their economies and create jobs.
How to make the most of city diplomacy in the COVID-19 era
On March 27, Mayor Eric Garcetti virtually convened 45 mayors from around the world to share their experiences responding to COVID-19 as it rippled throughout the world. These mayors were part of C40 Cities, a network of 96 of the world’s largest cities focused on fighting the climate emergency. Two weeks earlier the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the outbreak a pandemic.
How the Sustainable Development Goals can help cities focus COVID-19 recovery on inclusion, equity, and sustainability
Prior to COVID-19, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were gaining traction among local governments and city leaders as a framework to focus local policy on ambitious targets around inclusion, equity, and sustainability. Several cities published reports of their local progress on the SDGs in Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR), echoing the official format used by countries to report their nation’s progress at the U.N. Then came the current crisis.
A social distancing reading list from Brookings Global Economy and Development
During this unusual time of flexible schedules and more time at home, many of us may have increased opportunities for long-form reading. Below, the scholars and staff from the Global Economy and Development program at Brookings offer their recommendations for books to read during this time.
Regional leaders need to join together to stay competitive in the global market
In 2014, St. Petersburg, Fla. mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn went on a trade mission to Chile. But, in recognizing that scale matters in such attempts at global competitiveness, the two mayors made their trip not as representatives of two separate cities, but as dual ambassadors of the Tampa Bay region.
Next generation urban planning: Enabling sustainable development at the local level through voluntary local reviews (VLRs)
Introduction Around the world, cities are evolving at an unprecedented pace, grappling with profound challenges driven by urbanization, demographics, and climate change. City leaders face extraordinary pressures to manage this growth and implement sustainable development strategies.
Cities using the SDGs to reduce urban violence
Despite growing prosperity as a leading urban center in Latin America, Mexico City is confronting “a crisis situation in … terms of violence,” according to its Attorney General. Mexico City’s Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum has made safety a top priority, leading an all-hands-on-deck meeting on security every day, seven days a week.
How global cities are innovating to leverage foreign investment
Over the past 10 years, Portland, Ore. has seen its foreign direct investment (FDI) pipeline grow from 5% of the total share of regional investment to 30%. A deliberate effort by Greater Portland Inc., the regional public-private economic development organization (EDO) of Portland, led this progress through the integration of FDI strategy into mainstream economic development.
To succeed in the global economy, cities must invest in what makes them unique
In a converted parking garage turned business incubator and accelerator in downtown Syracuse, N.Y., entrepreneurs and inventors from as far away as Italy and Switzerland are hard at work developing software applications, power systems, and imaging technology for the emerging unmanned systems industry.
Welcoming communities make for globally competitive city-regions
A new foreign resident in St. Louis with a specialty in accounting is connected with peers in the local industry. Immigrant entrepreneurs spanning high-tech industries and neighborhood businesses get resources to launch and scale. Mentoring and support groups help over 300 international spouses feel at home in the region.
Against the trade winds, cities must stay the global course
The tallest office building in Wichita, Kan. is only 22 stories. Metro Syracuse, N.Y.’s population is barely 650,000 people. The Des Moines, Iowa airport has one direct international flight. San Antonio is not headquarters to a major multinational bank. Thirty-eight U.S. companies generate more revenue than Louisville, Ky.’s entire annual gross metropolitan product. These places are not ranked on any list of international influence alongside London, New York, Tokyo, or Paris.
Metro-to-metro economic partnerships:
City-to-city and region-to-region economic partnerships are on the rise. Economic development leaders from St. Louis have partnered with Rosario, Argentina to form a business and research exchange between the two agricultural regions. The mayor of Los Angeles inked a deal with Guangzhou, China and Auckland, New Zealand to support mutual trade objectives. Virtual reality incubators in New York and London now collaborate to offer resources and co-working space to firms expanding across the Atlantic.
Trump’s trade war and the midterms: Views from two Heartland districts
Trade policy rarely tips elections. But as with many things, 2018 will prove an interesting test of conventional wisdom, especially with tariffs now implemented on more than $350 billion worth of bilateral trade between the United States and China. While trade is not likely to motivate voters as much as healthcare or immigration, it could influence outcomes in tight congressional races.
Which US communities are most affected by Chinese, EU, and NAFTA retaliatory tariffs?
Trade continues to dominate the political and economic headlines, with President Trump announcing a new round of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
Six steps for metro areas to prioritize global markets
In an increasingly economically integrated world, local leaders are recognizing that regional economic development strategies must create environments in which firms and industries can compete internationally to generate sustained growth and quality jobs.
认识五类中国城市
十年前左右，诺贝尔经济学奖得主约瑟夫•斯蒂格利茨曾声称，美国的技术创新和中国的城市化将成为塑造二十一世纪世界经济繁荣的重要力量。 中国的城镇化在全世界的巨大影响力源于中国在全球政治经济格局中举足轻重的地位。中国城市的政治、环境以及经济问题在全球各地都会产生深远的影响，不仅会波及到全球气候环境的未来，也会影响到美国工业区内的社会经济状况。 因此，充分理解中国城镇化发展是一项重要且艰巨的任务。在有限的数据和复杂的政治环境下，布鲁金斯学会的全球都市观察 (Global Metro Monitor) 报告提供了一份对于中国大城市近年来经济发展趋势的分析，并总结出三个重要的结论： 一、全球三百个最大的城市经济体中三分之一位于中国 布鲁金斯学会的全球都市观察 (Global Metro Monitor) 从牛津经济研究院 (Oxford Economics) 获取国内生产总值以及劳动力数据来分析全球三百个最大的城市经济体的经济水平（以城市GDP来衡量）。2014版的报告中，前三百个全球最大城市经济体中，中国城市只有不到五十个。然而，在此份基于2016年数据的报告中，这一数字已跃升至...
Figures of the week: Trends and determinants in Chinese FDI in Africa
As part of a series of regional reports on cities, the U.N. Habitat program recently released its 2018 report on African cities. The report, entitled, “The State of African Cities 2018—the geography of African investment,” provides an overview of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa and its impact on African cities.
Are large global cities pulling away from their surrounding regions?
A recent wave of research and journalism has found that large cities are powering further ahead in the U.S. economy, as smaller communities and rural areas fall further behind. This matters because, as Neil Irwin wrote in The New York Times last month, place-based disparities in growth and opportunity are critical to understanding national economic, and even political, trends. This begs the question: Is America’s prosperity divide globally distinct or a dynamic that extends worldwide?
The world’s ten best performing metropolitan economies: 2018 edition
The new edition of the Global Metro Monitor reveals a changing landscape of urban economic power, one dominated increasingly by metro areas in emerging countries.
American companies and Chinese Belt and Road in Africa
When it comes to Africa, it is no secret that the United States and China have very different philosophies. China adopts a more state-led approach, with state-owned enterprises and policy banks spearheading Africa’s infrastructure development. The U.S. is more willing to let private companies and the market take the lead on commercial development, while the U.S. government itself puts more emphasis on the continent’s capacity building and governance challenges.
Global Metro Monitor 2018
More than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas, and the 300 largest metropolitan economies in the world account for nearly half of all global output. The concentration of economic growth and prosperity in large metro areas defines the modern global economy, creating both opportunities and challenges in an era in which national political, economic, and societal trends are increasingly influenced by subnational dynamics.
Advancing opportunity for black collegians in tech and business
While going to college and starting a business are both inherently good for individuals and society, some say that it’s too hard to do both. Academic success and entrepreneurial achievement, however, are not mutually exclusive—a reality not yet attained by many black collegians.
Which U.S. states are most exposed to the EU’s retaliatory tariff proposal?
Two weeks ago, the Trump administration announced new tariffs on U.S. aluminum and steel imports. As we described in a recent blog post, these tariffs not only have the potential to increase the price of aluminum and steel, commodities on which many firms, industries, and local economies rely, but also to expose additional industries and states should trade partners retaliate with their own tariffs on particular U.S. export products.
How Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs could affect state economies
The Trump administration’s trade policy took another abrupt turn last week with a spontaneous announcement to impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum. The tariff declarations represent the latest in a line of aggressive trade policy changes, beginning with the removal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the renegotiation of NAFTA.
Getting smart on U.S. regional inequality: Lessons from Europe
The nation’s divides—whether measured by regional size, productivity, technology, income, or employment—are becoming an unavoidable feature of the U.S. political economy. Recently, The Economist devoted a cover story to U.S. communities that have been left behind by the relentless forces of globalization, technological change, and industrial concentration.
Three maps that show how US metro economies are doing
The U.S. economy is now in its 93rd consecutive month of growth, the third longest expansion on record. It has added jobs for 76 straight months, at a robust pace of 200,000 jobs per month. The unemployment rate stands at 4.8 percent, near its pre-recession level. Of course, this expansion has followed the worst downturn since the Great Depression.
Redefining Global Cities
The world’s largest metropolitan areas concentrate the drivers of global prosperity, but there isn’t one way to be a global city—this report defines seven types of global cities, providing a valuable lens through which to understand an evolving global economy. As societies and economies around the world have urbanized, they have upended the classic notion of a global city. No longer is the global economy driven by a select few major financial centers like New York, London, and Tokyo.
Looking Out for the Little Guys || Site Selection Online
This commentary is the third installment of a three-part series. Once finalized, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) treaty will be the most ambitious trade agreement ever negotiated. The stakes are incredibly high, with much to be gained for parties in both the United States and the European Union, especially for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in all industries looking to expand.
Online Insider: TTIP: Let's Be Clear
This commentary is the second installment of a three-part series. As mentioned in part one of our three-part series on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), this treaty will be the most ambitious trade agreement ever negotiated. In this installment, we address four of the many legitimate questions raised about the treaty — transparency of the negotiating process, Investor-State Dispute Settlements (ISDS), food safety and geographical indications (GI).
Online Insider: Trading Up
This commentary is the first installment of a three-part series. Once completed, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) will be the most ambitious free trade agreement in history, a proverbial game-changer desperately needed at a critical time for the United States and the European Union. And it needs to happen soon.
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