MagaCities - Interview New York
Investing in Infrastructures
Interview with Daniel L. Doctoroff
Daniel L. Doctoroff (45), New York Citys Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding, is in charge of implementing policies that affect the economic prosperity of the city. His responsibilities include leading the effort to rebuild lower Manhattan, and spearheading the citys bid for the 2012 Olympic Games
What are the biggest challenges New York City has faced since the Bloomberg Administration took office?
Doctoroff: The single biggest challenge has been the development of a vision for Ground Zero. In addition, we have had to overcome massive budget deficits. We had to do that in a way that would allow us to continue to invest in the future without allowing the quality of life to suffer. We managed to overcome the deficits by running the government more efficiently and making it smarter.
How did you do that?
Doctoroff: Let me give you an example. Early in 2003 we implemented a revolutionary call center technology for all New York City government offices. Today, the only number New Yorkers have to remember is 311. We have aggregated all of our help desks and response numbers so that calls are answered almost immediately and referred to the right person. And we have an award-winning Web site. Citizens can do everything from downloading a birth certificate application form to enrolling in an immunization program. There are literally thousands of examples of how basic technologies are improving services while saving time and money.
Speaking of basic services, what is the city doing to improve public transit?
Doctoroff: Our subways and buses transport over seven million people per business day, including three million who commute to and from Manhattan. Moving those people quickly and efficiently is fundamental to the citys economic health. But the number of people who work in New York City has not increased in fifty years. I believe that one reason behind that lack of growth is that the number of track miles has actually declined during that period. The Bloomberg Administration believes that one way to break out of this capacity constraint is to improve and expand our subway lines. Signaling and other communication and security improvements are expected to increase capacity by 15 %.
What advantages does New York derive from working with Siemens?
Doctoroff: Companies like Siemens help us to understand how we can do things more efficiently. We have maintained an ongoing dialogue with Siemens regarding best practices. And I can say from experience that Siemens is uniquely positioned to see what those practices are. Thats very valuable for us.
One of the reasons Mayor Bloomberg asked you to join his team was that you were the founder of New Yorks effort to become the site of the 2012 Olympics. Why does the city need the Olympics?
Doctoroff: The ideals behind the Olympics are the same ideals that drive this citybringing people together in a spirit of competition thats powered by dreams. The Olympics provides New York with a vision of the future. But its a vision with a deadline. It would accelerate a process of transformation thats already taking shapeprojects like the number 7 subway line extension, the renewal of the West Side between 28th and 43rd streets, the development of miles of riverfront property.
What kind of city will New York be in 20 years?
Doctoroff: I hope it will mean the same things that it means today and that it meant almost 400 years ago. New York represents a simple promise, and that is that no matter who you are or where you come from, if you are willing to work hard, you can rise to the top. Our job in government is to ensure that the city provides an environment in which that promise can be fulfilled.
Interview conducted by Arthur F. Pease