Ask Mayor Michael Bloomberg what business sector is booming in his city, and he’ll not hesitate to answer – ‘Nearly 500 new technology companies have launched in our city since 2007, creating more than 10,000 jobs.’

What’s the fuss about?

It’s no wonder why budding entrepreneurs are choosing “Silicon Alley” as the place for their new business. New York is becoming the new model for how to foster and nurture startup growth through urban planning and policy.
Why not San Francisco? Why not Silicon Valley? What is the secret to New York City’s startup success? Brad Hargreaves, founding partner of the startup co-working space, General Assembly, says there are two parts to this equation:

1. The financial collapse of 2007-2008, and
2. Intelligent public planning and policymaking

The figures

• 40: the percentage spike of start-up financing in New York City
• 500: the estimated number of new technology companies launched in NYC since 2007
• 10,000: the number of jobs in NYC created by these start-ups
• 52,900: number of people in NYC working in the tech sector

Financial Collapse

The brightest coders in the business were working in the tech world when the bubble burst. They were either handed a pink slip or they jumped ship, allowing them the freedom to do what they want. This freedom sparked ingenuity, thus creating the startup explosion. Much of this part of our recent history is explained in Fix Young America, and ebook released in May. In this book, Hargreaves writes, “Software programmers are uniquely suited to start new companies. Over the past ten years, the cost — in time and money — of starting a new technology company has dropped significantly. Whether a technology company is developing new products, selling those products in a new way, or helping people live longer and better lives, the first step in a company’s development often involves writing some software — the realm of programmers.”

New Policy and Public Planning

Public leaders wore rose-colored glasses when they looked New York’s economic collapse. Their proactive decisions helped New York, but are not necessarily advisable for other cities to follow. Unless the situation happens on its own, cities are not advised to tank one industry in favor of another. Rather, Hargreaves says the city can focus on policymaking. New York heavily invested in their startup culture. This is an act that other cities can replicate. To do this, Hargreaves recommends cities focus on four steps:

1. Nurture and develop startup talent.
2. Work towards keeping this talent local.
3. Include startup companies with universities and economic development organizations in dialogue for city planning.
4. Focus on intelligent city planning that facilitates movement and efficiency.

Fresh ideas

• Provide and publicize training for the tech genre
• Students are an investment- focus on training people in their 30s and 40s to become coders. This age group is more likely to have roots and less likely to move away.
• Build a “talent pool” from which startups can draw their new hires
• Examine your public transport systems for their effectiveness and efficiency

What is the best neighborhood in New York City? Of course, the answer depends on who you ask. There are so many variables to consider: rental rates, proximity to work, quality schools, theater availability, etc. With each neighborhood bringing its own rhythm & character to the table, there are many aspects to consider to find the best neighborhood for you. There are, of course, those few neighborhoods which are so amazing, and have so much going for them, they could likely satisfy many of our personal criteria.

One of the best things about New York City is that, thanks to having one of the most extensive, reliable, and economic public transportation systems in the world, your best place to live doesn’t have to be the same place you work, play, party, shop, eat, or do whatever it is you enjoy.

New York City is such a massive, diverse place, multiple neighborhood types can exist in the same area. Are you looking for a single family home with a front and back yard?Look in neighborhoods such as Forest Hills, Riverdale, and Howard Beach where detached homes are prevalent. Is a soaring high-rise apartment building more your style? You’ll find these in Midtown, the Financial District, and Co-op City.

Are you more the artsy type, content to surround yourself with creative neighbors? Look in the direction of Williamsburg and the Lower East Side. Of course, you’ll find less raucous, more refined New Yorkers in the Upper East Side, Riverdale, and Brooklyn Heights.

Do you have to put the needs of others before your own when choosing a place to live? You certainly do if you are a parent of young children. Families with small children tend to make their homes in places such as the Upper West Side, Park Slope, and Greenpoint.

Do the outdoors give you that peaceful, happy feeling? Are you most content when outdoor living is incorporated into your residential choice? If you answered yes, your happy spot could be anywhere near Central Park, Prospect Park, or, for that matter, Rockaway Beach.

While searching for the utopian neighborhood, keep in mind that New York City neighborhoods may show big differences on a block by block basis. Sometimes this is dictated by the presence of stores, bars and restaurants lining the sidewalks. For example, Christopher Street and Barrow Street in the West Village are only a block or two apart, but Christopher Street is a haven for debauchery, while the latter sports quaint charm. Even in Chelsea, the streets are quiet and quaint while the avenues (especially 8th and 9th) can feel like an all-night event.

Thanks to this project, riders in New York City will enjoy mobile phone and Wi-Fi service on the platform, mezzanines and portions of the subway tunnels. Wireless providers such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will pay for access to the network.

Subways in Singapore, Berlin and Tokyo few years ago started providing to their travelers Wi-Fi. Plans to bring cell phone and wireless Internet service to New York City subways was announced in 2007 but then nothing took place because of a shortage of funding.

Right now you can connect to AT&T WiFi in Starbucks stores, and it is free for 2 hours if you have a registered Starbucks card. Also if you are an AT&T customer, you can access Wifi for free. However, if you are not a registered Starbucks or AT&T customer, there is a fee of $3.99 for two hours of Wi-Fi access.

Read more “why doing business in New York City” at blogs.nytimes.com/… – article “Why I Stay in New York City” by JENNIFER WALZER