How to Grow New York's Economy

Historically, entrepreneurship has been a key element of New York's economic success, says Glaeser, but in recent times the city has become overly reliant on a single industry: finance. He argues that with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate (slightly higher than the national average), the city should focus on minimizing regulations that make it difficult to start new businesses and attracting smart, creative residents.

Glaeser writes:

"New York's economy will never recover from the downturn by trying to compete with China's labor costs or with Houston's housing costs...Rather, New York's success will depend on its ability to produce a steady stream of new products and ideas."