March 2021
News + Updates
Highlights
ESI's Richard Voith and Jing Liu, teamed up with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, SWA Group, Arup and ANBOUND to participate in and won 3rd place at the Architectural Design Competition of The Future Science and Technology City of Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone and Chengdu Hi-tech Investment Group Co., Ltd in 2020 and 2021. ESI’s role in the team included developing innovation ecosystem concept, economic development strategies, and smart city strategies which further guided the land use plan and the detailed urban design of the entire area. ESI laid out the design concept that open, welcoming, and sustainable environments within smart, interconnected, mixed use urban forms are the future of successful innovation ecosystems. Learn more
Upcoming Events and Sponsorships
Staff and Senior Advisor Updates
Curtis Gregory
Curtis Gregory published an article on Senior Banking Leaders and Emotional Intelligence State in the IJBMI journal, vol. 10, issue 2.
Lee Huang spoke at the kick-off event for the Ending Racism Partnership - A Blueprint to End Racism - on Feb 26.
Joyce Lee's article on cultural resiliency still rings true in foreseeing impact from the Texas energy crisis and climate change events. Read here
Bernard Markstein was the sole presenter for GLGs webinar, “U.S. Housing and Residential Construction. He also contributed to the ASID 2021 Outlook and State of Interior Design report.
Stephen Mullin responded to an article about property taxes on WalletHub. Read his response
We are sad to say farewell to Daniel Miles and Baba Ige who have left the firm. Thank you for all your hard work at ESI and we wish you success in your future endeavors!
News from the Lab
ESI ThoughtLab and CityAge are proud to invite you to the 2021 Smart Cities Strategy Summit happening on March 30, 2021 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET.

The summit will bring together city leaders from around the world to exchange views on solutions for a post-pandemic world. Participants include urban experts from ESI ThoughtLab, CityAge, and thought leaders from business, academic, government positions who will help moderate and contribute to the discussion. Unlike other urban-focused events, the Smart Cities Strategy Summit is an invitation-only interchange that will provide a virtual forum for a cross-pollination of ideas and practices, drawing on our latest evidence-based research.
U.S. - China Research
'Vaccine Passport': An Extension of the "Vaccine War"
With the advancement of the vaccination against the COVID-19 pandemic in various countries, those that took the lead in vaccination have now begun to consider loosening the restrictions imposed to curtail the pandemic so as to restore the economy. Among them, the proposal to launch a "vaccine passport" has become an issue that is heavily discussed in developed countries.
Present Value
As we look forward to a “better normal” in a post-pandemic world, how can cities and economic development professionals ensure that incentives and programs targeted at business growth are equitably distributed? ESI Principal Gina Lavery and former Acting Philadelphia Commerce Director Sylvie Gallier Howard compare notes on what governments must consider in planning for COVID recovery.
by Lou Celi and Laura Nimylowycz
The ongoing pandemic has been a watershed event for businesses and their customers around the world, particularly for the wealth and asset management industry. It has pushed the fast-forward button on the digital transformation of the wealth industry and giving rise to the sector’s next phase: Wealth Management 4.0.
With the end of the pandemic in sight, a new U.S. administration in place, and Brexit a reality, 2021 is quickly becoming a new dawn for business and government. As this new era continues to unfold, private- and public-sector leaders will require visionary thinking and actionable insights to keep their organizations profitable and their cities safe.
Will museums be the same after the pandemic has passed? Before closing their doors due to the pandemic, museums and galleries were slow to adopt digitalization. However, as COVID-19 spread across the world, their traditional revenue models were upended since in-person galas and gift shops were no longer viable means.
Client Spotlight
Congratulations to Imvax for being awarded $2M grant by the RACP to build first of its kind cell processing center at their Philadelphia headquarters. Read here
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