Ed Lee, Mayor, San Francisco
Kofi Bonner, President, Bay Area Urban Division, Lennar
Bruce Katz, Vice President, Brookings Institution; Co-author, The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy
Greg Dalton, Founder and Host, Climate One - Moderator

In the wake of the great recession, Americans are starting to embrace new growth patterns and an economic vision for the future, where sustainability supersedes consumption. More people are moving to metropolitan areas, sacrificing backyard space for more public transportation options – it’s becoming clear we’re not in the suburban era of past generations. Urban areas have traditionally relied on the federal government to fund development, but with no foreseeable end to the political gridlock in Washington, cities around the country are starting to take matters into their own hands. Can metropolitan areas take the lead in solving the country's most pressing social and economic problems while also building a stronger society? In the Bay Area, Hunter’s Point and Treasure Island could present models for developing cities that create healthy, innovative and resilient communities in the age of severe weather that will put new stress on urban populations. Will they live up to the promise?

Join us for a conversation with an urban development expert, a nonprofit public policy researcher and the mayor of San Francisco about how cities and metropolitan areas can impact the nation’s political and economic future.

New York Times columnist Tom Friedman highlights Katz's book in his Sunday article, "I Want to Be Mayor."

Also know: Image courtesy of Transparent House, Inc.