Challenges and models

Modern regional developers are faced with a multitude of challenges and often have limited human and economic resources to craft solutions.

Historic development progressed at a much slower pace. At the beginning of the 19th century ideas were shared at a walking pace, by the start of 20th century knowledge was traveling by steam and along copper wires. Now at the beginning of the 21st century distance has become virtually immaterial and information circles the globe in milliseconds. Today no point on earth remains immune from information overload. During the “DarkAges” elites were able to restrict the flow of information and ration it out for their own benefit. Today’s elities continue to try to restrict the free exchange of information in a vain attempt to hold their positions. Fortunately for the people information can now flow around, over and through their fragile nets of self-interest.

For regional developers this is both a boon and a curse because the information overflow is simultaneously valuable and worthless. Development requires one element that is often is short supply, critical thinkers who will apply objective analysis and recommend ethical solutions. It is a natural and valid course of action to look to the past for developmental models, however the past may also be a trap.

There can be little argument that during the 20th century the United States was leading development through a series of revolutionary changes. America converted its natural resources to great wealth and power. It has become evident in the 21st century that America achieved much of its innovative reputation based on flawed assumptions, individual greed, self-promotion and creative deception. In the process America squandered its resources and polluted its environment. The nation corrupted its culture from one of honest work and business integrity to one of shortsighted self-interest and duplicity.

In post World War II an American oil-igarchy destroyed urban mass transit systems to generate markets for the auto industries gas-guzzlers. Marketers sold the excitement of urban living to millions who became urban prisoners of taxi drivers. The same marketers then sold the excitement of suburban living to the now prisoners of the commute. The process sold cars, real estate, and commodities, which generated great wealth for the marketers. The end result was grid locked highways, increased pollution and wasted hours commuting. Shortsighted development moved production off shore and marketers sold a concept of an information society but soon information also began to be processed off shore. The American Culture began to erode as marketing sold a “ME” society of have it all and have it now. This led to recent financial collapses resulting from over extension and poor developmental practices.

The point to all this is that Regional Development must consider cause and effects when reviewing existing models. Development must be based on strategic planning, where does the region want to be in 50 to 100 years, where does this plan fit into global developments. Learn from the mistakes as well as the achievements of others.