Bob Weissbourd of RW Ventures in Chicago gave a rapid-fire presentation on Monday, January 17, chock full of stats about the value of metropolitan regions as economic engines as well as innovative ideas to leverage clusters, human capital, innovation infrastructure, spatial efficiency and effective public engagement from his work with the Brookings Institute. The panel discussion was enlightening as well, and the audience asked some really good questions. More than 150 people showed up – on a holiday, even!

Mr. Weissbourd's work on desegregation, social justice and inner cities made him a relevant speaker for Martin Luther King Day. He started and ended his presentation with references to Dr. King's work and quoted him by saying, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Portland Community Media filmed the event and broadcast it live on Channel 30. They will rebroadcast all five Inspiring Communities Series events in the next few months so you can watch any or all of them there. Or watch any or all of them by clicking on the links below.

Dr. Robert Ogilvie, Public Health Law and Policy on Healthy and Complete Communities
Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Judith Bell, Policy Link on Education
Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Dr. Julian Agyeman, Tufts University, Dept. of Urban & Env. Policy & Planning on Re-imagining (E)quality
Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Cynthia Girling + Ronald Kellett, University of British Columbia on Designing for Environment and Community

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Robert Weissbourd, RW Ventures on Economic Development (watch below)

Monday, January 17, 2011 

Watch the video:

Learn more about the Portland Plan - Inspiring Communities Series