Event Dispatch: Going Live with SOM’s ‘CitySCOPE’ Podcast
MBA student Amanda Almeida ’27 joined SOMers and New Haven community members for a live taping of the podcast CitySCOPE followed by an audience Q&A. The podcast, which explores inclusive economic development in American cities, is produced by Kate Cooney, senior lecturer in social enterprise and management, and her students.
In this series, students answer quickfire questions about events across campus.
Event: CitySCOPE Podcast Live! Future City: Neighborhood Control of Real Estate
Host: Program on Social Enterprise, Innovation, and Impact
Speakers: Kate Cooney, senior lecturer in social enterprise and management and founding director, Inclusive Economic Development Lab; Sandra Lobo, executive director, Our Bronx; Whittney Smith, deputy director, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation; and Richard Townsell, executive director, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation
Location: NXTHVN
Date: April 13, 2026
What was the event?
A live CitySCOPE podcast recording about real estate control for communities—and how this relates to economic development in cities, especially at the neighborhood level.
I’m in Professor Kate’s course, the Inclusive Economic Development Lab (IEDL), so we work on the podcast throughout the semester and do research on topics and speakers. We also help with editing and publishing on the website.
Who showed up?
People from the Great Dwight neighborhood community, city developers, and current and former fellows and students from IEDL.
What happened?
The main topic was neighborhood control of real estate—how communities can build power and shape economic development through owning property. The three speakers were Richard Townsell, Whittney Smith, and Sandra Lobo, who work in economic development in different cities. Richard and Whittney are from Chicago, and Sandra is from New York. It’s interesting to hear about localized economic development initiatives, and to consider how they can be adapted to cities like New Haven. That’s something we’re currently working on in the IEDL, focusing on the Dwight neighborhood.
Key takeaway?
It made me realize how local solutions need to be. Every community is unique. You need to understand the needs of the community rather than trying to apply a cookie-cutter solution. I believe that the future of economic development—especially in terms of real estate control—is context-specific, and we need to make local voices heard.
Who should go next time?
Anybody who’s interested in economic development! This event was very focused on neighborhoods, and it’s an opportunity for Yale students to think about their own hometowns. I’m from Brazil, and it gave me new insights about mine. If you’re interested in learning how to transform your hometown, or how you can bring about solutions for economic development, I think this would be a very productive event for you.
