On Friday, May 12, 2017 Econsult Solutions and Drexel University held their third joint Annual Urban Economic Policy Conference.
The first panel of the Urban Economic Policy Conference that was held jointly by Drexel’s School of Economics and ESI was moderated by ESI President Stephen Mullin and focused on the micro-economic impacts of infrastructure. Joseph Casey, Former General Manager of SEPTA, Nicole Westerman, Executive Director of the Rebuild program, and Lauren Fahnestock, Vice President of Brown and Caldwell approached this important topic through a variety of perspectives.
Mr. Casey examined SEPTA’s 2009 capital budget crisis and how partnerships with elected officials helped resolve the issue.
Ms. Westerman gave an update on the Rebuild program, and explained that the program not only aims to improve the physical aspects of Philadelphia’s public spaces, but will push to encourage workforce diversity, as well as spark community engagement throughout the process.
Mr. Fahnestock presented on making water infrastructure a priority both regionally and nationally. He focused on the challenges we face as infrastructure ages, and the costs of maintaining and creating new and vital systems.
Check out the keynote presentation and the second panel on the macro aspects of urban infrastructure.