Seizing our destiny: reinventing a city during an economic downturn

David W. Stewart

Chapter 19 in Cases in Organization Development and Change, 2026, pp 186-192 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Major Focus of the Case: This is a case study of the way a group of community leaders recreated the vision for economic redevelopment of the City of Riverside. It illustrates leadership within the context of a public/private sector partnership focused on changing the future of a city. It also demonstrates the power of ideas when embraced by a community grassroots movement. “Seizing Our Destiny” is the name that emerged to identify this movement. Begun in early 2009 and approved by the city council in late 2009, the movement has transformed a city. In 2011, the City of Riverside was named one of the seven most intelligent cities in the world by the Intelligent Community Forum and had become California's first Emerald City. In September of 2011, Newsweek ranked the city number three among “can do” cities. This case is the story of how Riverside, the City of Arts and Innovation, transformed itself through leadership at a grassroots level.

Keywords: Economic development; Urban planning; Quality of life; Intelligent cities; Managed growth; Community engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035340965
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