Tag Archives: cities

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Research universities and city development

Higher education can play a vital role in supporting the social and economic development of cities. As part of an ongoing research project, I have been considering the unique role of higher education serving as an anchor institution in urban development. Along with my co-author Karri Holley, we recently published a case study exploring these dynamics in more detail. The article, “The 400-Pound Gorilla”: The Role of the Research University in City Development, was recently published in Innovative Higher Education. In today’s post, I share the implications and conclusions of our case study on cities and higher education.

Photo credit: MIT
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The benefits of higher education for cities

Higher education institutions are valuable commodities for their cities. Since the very beginning of American higher education, cities have fought to have colleges and universities in their communities. The reasons for this are obvious– at least to some– as institutions bring a wealth of advantages and benefits to the areas where they are located. In today’s post, I want to share an interview that I did with WalletHub regarding the role of higher education, cities, and quality of life.

Photo credit: visitphilly.com
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Higher education’s role in improving cities

The increasing importance of cities as vital hubs of the global economy have helped push universities into a substantial role in boosting a region’s economic activity. Universities provide access to knowledge networks, improve the local economic environment, and deliver knowledge and training to students and workers.

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The need for research on cities and higher education

I believe the relationship between universities and cities will be one of the most significant policy questions during the 21st century. As I wrap up this series of posts on cities and higher education, I want to end by sharing the conclusion to our Higher Education: Handbook of Research and Theory chapter. Here we describe the need for research on cities and higher education and call for scholars to examine these important research questions.

In order to fully understand how universities serve as anchor institutions, higher education scholars should consider factors, structures, and processes outside of higher education.

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Balancing Global and Local Trends with Cities and Higher Education

A significant focus of my recent research has considered the interactions between higher education and cities. I am increasingly convinced that the role of higher education within cities will be a dominant trend for the next century. Social, political, economic, and demographic changes all suggest that the importance of the city-university relationship. Over the next three posts, I’m going to be sharing excerpts from my recently published Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research chapter that my coauthor, Karri Holley, and I wrote examining the role of higher education in cities. In today’s post, I will share a section on balancing global and local trends with cities and higher education.

Photo credit: UAB

Evidence of the growth of the knowledge economy can be seen in a move from economies driven by the production and distribution of goods to those driven by information exchange and the high-level provision of services (Kasarda, 1988).

The 20th century economic mainstays of manufacturing, warehouses, and retail have largely disappeared, replaced by white-collar jobs requiring postsecondary training.