Watch the webinar and download the slides.

How can place-based initiatives be part of a strategy for an equitable recovery? COVID-19 and its economic fallout have worsened economic inequalities across the country and across demographic groups. Before the pandemic, regional growth was to a large extent concentrated in a small number of prosperous metro areas, mostly on the coasts. This growth has caused a housing crisis in these communities. At the same time, distressed areas have fallen into deeper decline. Early indications are that the pandemic is likely to worsen these trends. The panelists discuss what policies might hasten and deepen the recovery of distressed areas. They also discuss how to help spread both overall growth and high-tech growth more broadly across America’s communities as we recover from the pandemic.

Speakers:

  • Timothy J. Bartik, Senior Economist, Upjohn Institute (research) 
  • Simon Johnson, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (research) 
  • Mark Muro, Senior Fellow and Policy Director, Brookings Institution (research) 
  • Moderator: Susan Wachter, Codirector, Penn Institute for Urban Research, University of Pennsylvania

About Research for Equity in Recovery

A webinar series from Community Development and Regional Outreach at the Philadelphia Fed, cohosted with the Upjohn Institute and the Penn Institute for Urban Research.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented residents across the nation with extreme challenges, leaders in communities across the nation have stepped up to confront these challenges in significant ways. This webinar series focuses on the most up-to-date research and best practices in the field on how to promote a strong and equitable recovery from the pandemic.

Research for Equity in Recovery I: How Job Training Matters
Research for Equity in Recovery III: Small Businesses
Research for Equity in Recovery IV: Unemployment Insurance During the COVID Crisis: Lessons for Improving the UI Program
Research for Equity in Recovery V: Does COVID-19 Accelerate Automation?

For questions about this series, please contact Lei Ding.