Tom Wright - The Key to NYC's Future: Resilience, Planning, and Innovation

Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA), the nation's oldest independent metropolitan research, planning, and advocacy organization, joins The Century of Cities to discuss New York's transformation over the decades. He examines how suburbanization, economic downturns, major crises, and urban investments have shaped the city. From its near-collapse in the 1970s to its recovery after 9/11, Superstorm Sandy, and the challenges of COVID-19, he explains the key events that have influenced its growth and resilience. Tom looks ahead to the future of metropolitan regions, emphasizing the importance of regional governance, climate adaptation, and large-scale infrastructure investment. He discusses how congestion pricing, transit expansion, and housing reform will impact NYC by 2080. As cities worldwide navigate critical turning points, New York's experience provides important lessons for the next century of urban development.