Date, Location: October 10, 2024 (New York, NY)
Speakers:
- Sadek Wahba, Managing Partner, I Squared Capital, DRI Senior Fellow
- Edward Glaeser, Professor of Economics and the Chairman of the Department of Economics, Harvard University
- Liz Hoffman, Business and Finance Editor, Semafor (Moderator)
Overview: DRI hosted DRI Senior Fellow, Sadek Wahba for the launch of his book, Build: Investing in America’s Infrastructure. The dialogue between Wahba and Edward Glaeser, renowned urban economist and author of Triumph of the City and The Rise and Decline of Nations, was moderated by Liz Hoffman, Business and Finance editor at Semafor and author of Crash Landing: How the World’s Biggest Companies Survived an Economy on the Brink.
The 21st century is well underway, yet many nations, including the U.S., are grappling with outdated 20th-century infrastructure—crumbling roads, bridges, and power systems that threaten lives and stifle economic growth. Despite urgent needs and the potential to build greener, more resilient systems that create opportunities for all, investment has lagged, leaving countries vulnerable to climate risks and decaying structures. Why is it so hard to deliver major infrastructure projects? Is it economic mismanagement, political short-sightedness, or simply a lack of will? Our panel will tackle these questions and explore pathways to building a 21st-century infrastructure that meets today’s challenges and seizes tomorrow’s opportunities.
