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CUF in the News
Center for an Urban Future
is a New York City-based think tank that fuses journalistic reporting techniques with traditional policy analysis to produce in-depth reports and workable policy solutions on the critical issues facing our cities.
is a New York City-based think tank that fuses journalistic reporting techniques with traditional policy analysis to produce in-depth reports and workable policy solutions on the critical issues facing our cities.
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COMMENTARY
A Bad Bet for New YorkBy Hugh O'Neill
In this Off the CUF commentary, Hugh O'Neill argues that video slot machines wont be enough to save Aqueduct Race Track. Instead, he says it's time for state officials to consider a better use for 192 acres of public land next to one of the nation's busiest airports.
CONCEPT PAPER
An Action Agenda for ESOLThis concept paper written by the Center for an Urban Future and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy includes eight recommendations for supporting and strengthening the state's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. The action agenda, which was endorsed by an unusual coalition of the state's leading business groups, immigrant advocates, literacy providers and workforce training professionals, calls on New York policymakers to guarantee level funding for state-run ESOL programs even in this difficult fiscal environment. It argues that supporting ESOL programs is increasingly important to New York's economic competitiveness since immigrants represent the fastest-growing part of the workforce in nearly every corner of the state.
REPORT
Energizing New York's Small Businessesby David Giles and Jonathan Bowles
This report reveals that only a fraction of the city's small businesses have taken steps to become energy efficient, a missed opportunity given that commercial electricity costs here are among the highest in the country and since even the smallest firms could save thousands of dollars by implementing efficiency measures. We detail why so few companies have taken advantage of conservation programs and recommend how to get more firms to take the plunge.
TESTIMONY
Testimony: Translating New York's Science and Technology Assets Into Economic ActivityBy Jonathan Bowles
At an October 9th hearing held by the Governors Task Force on Diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships, CUFs Jonathan Bowles testified about how to make New Yorks pre-eminent scientific research institutions engines of entrepreneurship and economic growth.
REPORT
Building New York City's Innovation Economyby Jim O'Grady and Jonathan Bowles
This report finds that New York City's leading universities and scientific research centers have not become catalysts for entrepreneurship and local economic development the way similar institutions have in other regions. It argues that this is a huge missed opportunity for New York, given the need to diversify the economy and create new engines of job growth. The study details why New York is falling short, showing that university leaders have not done enough to support start-up ventures.
The report is accompanied by the city's first-ever "Innovation Index," a package of 49 charts and graphs that show where New York stands compared to other cities and regions on a broad range of indicators measuring both existing science and technology assets and the city's level of success at commercializing these assets.
September 2009
EVENT
Transcript of Addressing New Yorks Human Capital GapsThis summer, CUF and the Community Service Society held two conferences about the citys long-term human capital needs: one about the evolving needs of the citys business community and the other about current skills gaps facing large segments of the citys population. Speakers included Matthew Goldstein, Seth Pinsky, Herb Pardes, Kathy Wylde, Ester Fuchs, Saru Jayaraman and Lisette Nieves.
August 2009
Return of the Chains
by Jonathan Bowles, Joshua Rinaldi and Marc Shavitz
Our second annual ranking of national retailers in New York City finds that over 30 percent of the retailers from last year's report actually expanded their presence in the city in the past year, despite the sour economy. Dunkin' Donuts tops our list for the second straight year, with a staggering 429 stores. The list includes a breakdown of 277 national retailers that have two or more stores in NYC, broken down by every borough and zip code.
by Jonathan Bowles, Joshua Rinaldi and Marc Shavitz
Our second annual ranking of national retailers in New York City finds that over 30 percent of the retailers from last year's report actually expanded their presence in the city in the past year, despite the sour economy. Dunkin' Donuts tops our list for the second straight year, with a staggering 429 stores. The list includes a breakdown of 277 national retailers that have two or more stores in NYC, broken down by every borough and zip code.
REPORT
Six Months Later: What Has President Obama Done for New York City?By David Giles, David Jason Fischer and Marc Shavitz
A week before President Obama took office, the Center for an Urban Future published a report that laid out 51 specific recommendations for what the Obama administration and the 111th Congress could do to help New York City and other cities. Now, at the six month anniversary of President Obamas inauguration, we are taking a close look at which of these 51 recommendations have been achieved. Our conclusion: While the administration still has a long way to go to create a comprehensive national urban policy, it has already made an extraordinary amount of progress on issues that matter to New York and other cities.
EVENT
CUNY Chancellor Delivers Major Address at CUF/CSS Forum on NYC's Human Capital NeedsA forum presented by the Center for an Urban Future and the Community Service Society.
New York's Human Capital: The Next Generation
CUNY Chancellor Dr. Matthew Goldstein delivered a major address at this conference, which focused on the current and future human capital needs of New York City's business community. The full transcript of the conference, including Dr. Goldstein's remarks, is now available.
REPORT
Record RecoveryBy David Giles
This new report concludes that the health IT sector is one of New York City's best bets for reigniting and diversifying the city's economy. It argues that with the right local economic development strategy, the federal government's unprecedented $19.2 billion investment in electronic health records could create thousands of long-term jobs in New York City and make the city a leading hub for the health IT sector.
Manhattan's Declining Share of New York City Jobs
This edition of New York by the Numbers shows that over the last 50 years, Manhattan has been gradually loosening its grip on the private sector jobs in New York City. In 1958, the borough accounted for 67.6 percent of all non-government jobs in the city. But by 2008 its share had fallen six percentage points to 61.6 percent. The other four boroughs, meanwhile, have experienced a slow but steady increase in their share of jobs.
This edition of New York by the Numbers shows that over the last 50 years, Manhattan has been gradually loosening its grip on the private sector jobs in New York City. In 1958, the borough accounted for 67.6 percent of all non-government jobs in the city. But by 2008 its share had fallen six percentage points to 61.6 percent. The other four boroughs, meanwhile, have experienced a slow but steady increase in their share of jobs.
Q&A
Q&A with Anthony Carnevale, Director, Georgetown University Center on Education and the WorkforceBy David Jason Fischer
As part of our series of Q&A's with innovators, entrepreneurs and policy experts, the Center's David Jason Fischer interviews Anthony Carnevale, former chair of the National Commission on Employment Policy, about the changing labor market, the future of vocational education and the impact of the recession on New York City.
May 2009
A LEEDer in Green Building?
This edition of New York by the Numbers shows that the number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified buildings in New York City trails that of many other big U.S. cities. When it comes to the number of LEED-certified new buildings in New York, the city is decisively middle-of-the-pack, behind Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Washington, DC and San Francisco.
This edition of New York by the Numbers shows that the number of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified buildings in New York City trails that of many other big U.S. cities. When it comes to the number of LEED-certified new buildings in New York, the city is decisively middle-of-the-pack, behind Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Washington, DC and San Francisco.
REPORT
Central New York's New WorkforceBy Tara Colton
Our survey of Central New York businesses finds that 40 percent employ workers with limited English proficiency. As immigrants comprise a rising share of the population and workforce throughout the region, upgrading their language skills will be key for local businesses and the areas future economic growth.
COMMENTARY
Working Toward A Workforce SystemBy David Jason Fischer
As the U.S. faces the worst economic crisis in decades, New York City is set to receive about $70 million in federal stimulus money for job training and employment services. This Off the CUF commentary evaluates the city's plans for the money and concludes that the influx of federal dollars could serve as the catalyst for positive changes to New York's workforce system that could reverberate long after the recession ends.
Transit Overload
This edition of New York by the Numbers provides a station-by-station examination of the growth in subway ridership between 1998 and 2008 and a borough-by-borough analysis of bus ridership changes. It reveals that the largest gains in transit ridership occurred outside of Manhattan.
This edition of New York by the Numbers provides a station-by-station examination of the growth in subway ridership between 1998 and 2008 and a borough-by-borough analysis of bus ridership changes. It reveals that the largest gains in transit ridership occurred outside of Manhattan.
REPORT
Reviving the Middle Class Dream in NYCBy Jonathan Bowles, Joel Kotkin and David Giles
This major report by the Center for an Urban Future, titled "Reviving the City of Aspiration," concludes that New Yorks longstanding legacy as a place that both sustained a large middle class and elevated countless people from poorer backgrounds into the middle class is now in serious jeopardy.
COMMENTARY
Paying Attention to CitiesBy Jonathan Bowles
After years of federal policies neglecting urban areas, Barack Obama has sent some encouraging signals that he understands their importance. Certainly, New York could use a helping hand. In this commentary for Gotham Gazette, CUF director Jonathan Bowles lays out some ideas for what the president could do to aid New York. Bowles and CUF deputy director Tara Colton also appeared on WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss these ideas.
January 2009
REPORT
51 Things the Obama Administration Should do for New York CityBy Jonathan Bowles, Tara Colton, David Jason Fischer, David Giles and Jim O'Grady
The advent of the Obama administration offers great hope that the period of years, if not decades, when the federal government all but turned its back on the needs of urban communities is finally over. But what exactly should the new president do for New York City? Our new report, 50+1: A Federal Agenda for New York City, lays out 51 specific recommendations for what the Obama administration and the 111th Congress could do to help New York City. The ideas range from taking immediate steps to ensure that the 2010 Census does not undercount New York and providing anti-terror funds to localities based on risk to accelerating the rollout of new air traffic control technology to reduce flight delays.
Q&A
Q&A with Eldon Scott, founder of the Union Square Holiday MarketBy Jonathan Bowles
As part of our series of Q&As with New York City innovators, entrepreneurs and policy experts, the Centers Jonathan Bowles interviews Eldon Scott, who is arguably the person most responsible for creating the city's holiday markets.
December 2008
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