Hear what makes cities successful

Leading US economist and Harvard Professor Edward Glaeser, an expert on what makes cities successful, will be speaking in Wellington on July 3.

The event has been organised by Ambitious For Wellington, the group which has been set up to lead the debate about the region’s future.

Professor Glaeser is the author of the acclaimed Triumph of the City, the result of years of research into the role that cities play in fostering human achievement.

In the book, he discusses why some cities die and what successful cities have in common. Ambitious for Wellington spokesman Chris Bray says the conclusions Professor Glaeser draws are very relevant to Wellington.

“He says “’Not every city will succeed, because not every city has been adept at adapting to the age of information, in which ideas are the ultimate creator of wealth,’” said Mr Bray.

“Professor Glaeser’s visit is very timely in the wake of the Dominion Post’s recent Wellington Report and the ongoing discussions about the future of the city.

“His message is that successful cities enable collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Wellington is uniquely suited to that: it’s something for us to preserve and to build on.”

Professor Glaeser will be speaking at the Soundings Theatre at Te Papa on Wednesday 3rd July from 12pm to 1pm.

Places for the talk are limited. To register, go to The cost is $20 per person.

Edward Glaeser is the Sir Douglas Myers Visiting Professor. His visit has been made possible by Motu, The University of Auckland Business School and the NZ Association of Economists.

ENDS

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