Transforming the City's Manufacturing Landscape
"Transforming the Manufacturing Landscape," by Pratt Center Director Adam Friedman, is now available, part of the Drum Major Institute's new book From Disaster to Diversity: What's Next for New York City's Economy? Listen to Friedman discuss the future of the city's industrial jobs in New York City on WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show.
Some 7,000 manufacturing companies operate in New York City, employing almost 100,000 people. They don’t only maintain the basic necessities that every city needs, but add to the diversity, creativity, allure and energy that is New York’s greatest competitive advantage and maintains the city’s sustainability.
If the city is serious about its commitments to reduce its carbon footprint, increase the use of recycled materials, and retrofit its building stock to reduce energy consumption, it needs local manufacturers to create green products and transform its waste into usable resources. If New York is to grow its creative engine, it needs to maintain the diversity of spaces, jobs and people that inspires creativity. If the city is to cut the income disparity that has come to characterize New York’s economy and offer more paths into the middle class, it needs to create well-paying manufacturing jobs and offer affordable space for industrial entrepreneurs.
