The New Normal with Maydianne Andrade (Ep. 15): In Cities We Trust

TL;DR

Cities are dynamic entities that can adapt and grow, as shown by the rapid changes and innovations during the pandemic.

Transcript

[Maydianne Andrade] We are used to thinking of cities as static, solid entities and yet they aren't. They contract, they grow and they evolve. [Meric Gertler] Cities have faced these challenges in the past, right? Spanish flu. Bubonic plague. They've always come back bigger and better than ever and I think they will, again. [Andrade] I am Maydianne... Read More

Key Insights

• 💗 Cities are dynamic and can adapt and grow in response to challenges and crises.
• 🍉 Innovations and changes brought about by the pandemic, such as remote teaching and outdoor seating for restaurants, have the potential to create long-term positive impacts.
• 🏙️ Tacit knowledge, acquired through experience and observation, is crucial for success in institutions and cities.
• 🧔 The pandemic has intensified existing inequalities in cities, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the risks and challenges.
• 🖐️ Universities play a vital role in addressing these inequalities and devising policy tools to tackle them effectively.
• ✋ Access to higher education is essential to bridge socioeconomic gaps and ensure equal opportunities for all.
• 🌐 The pandemic has underscored the importance of global mutual understanding and the need for travel as a means to foster cultural and political connections.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the pandemic forced universities to adapt and change the way they teach?

The pandemic has forced universities to embrace remote teaching tools, but it has also sparked innovative thinking about how these tools can continue to be utilized even after in-person classes resume.

Q: How has the pandemic affected cities like Toronto in terms of urban development?

The pandemic has prompted rapid innovations in Toronto, such as expanding sidewalks for pedestrian use, creating more outdoor seating for restaurants, and introducing express bus lanes to improve public transit.

Q: What is tacit knowledge, and why is it important for institutions and cities?

Tacit knowledge refers to knowledge that is difficult to articulate in written or symbolic form and is often acquired through experience. It is important for institution building and city success as it is best shared locally and in person for effective knowledge transfer.

Q: How has the pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in cities, particularly in racialized communities?

The pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated income inequality and geographical polarization in cities, with certain neighborhoods, predominantly inhabited by racialized communities, facing disproportionate risks and lack of access to essential services like public health and transit.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• President Gertler discusses the dynamic nature of cities, highlighting Toronto's transformation into a diverse and culturally rich world city due to immigration.

• The pandemic has forced businesses and institutions, including universities, to rethink and innovate, leading to new ways of teaching, working, and utilizing public spaces.

• Tacit knowledge, acquired through experience and observation, plays a vital role in institution building and city successes, while innovation benefits from knowledge sharing and collaboration.