White House Office of Urban Policy

Ever since President Obama announced plans to create an Office of Urban Policy during last year's campaign, urban enthusiasts have been watching closely to see what exactly that will mean. Even though the President has appointed the head of that Office (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Barack-Obama-A...), details have been hard to come by. I recently came across a transcript of a speech by Bruce Katz of Brookings that lays out his vision for the Office: http://www.brookings.edu/speeches/2009/0212_housing_katz.aspx?rssid...

I found his vision inspiring, while simultaneously rooted in reality. I particularly liked the theme of metropolitan thinking being central to - and almost synonymous with - urban policy. These are more than the musings of an academic. Brookings has been heavily involved in the development of many of the Obama administration's policy initiatives, so there's a good chance Katz's vision and the President's are closely aligned.