As we emerge from the Great Recession, think tanks and researchers are
busy studying data and patterns, which will hopefully provide valuable
insight into what is driving our recovery nationally, and how we sustain
it. Fremont finds itself included in one of these analyses from urban
development researcher, Joel Kotkin. His recent article, “America’s Fastest Growing Cities Since the Recession,” describes how Fremont ranked as the 13th fastest-growing city in America from 2007 to 2012.

So, why Fremont?

The article explains that “Americans continue
to move decisively to both lower-density, job-creating cities and to
those less dense areas of major metropolitan areas particularly where
single-family houses, good schools and jobs are plentiful.”

With
some of the best schools in the region, if not the nation, and a very
stable, high-quality housing market, this explanation makes sense to us.
But, while so much of today’s planning conversations focus on “all
things urban,” this article also suggests that Fremont’s strategy of
being strategically urban is a smart one.

We
recognize that with Fremont’s size (90 square miles!), it cannot become
an all-urban city overnight. To begin with, focusing urban development
in key geographic areas of the City, particularly adjacent to our two
BART stations and employment centers, is important and prudent. This
strategy is reflected in our General Plan, ourDowntown Plan and our Warm Springs Strategy.
But moreover, we also recognize the value of the many desirable
neighborhoods, public amenities, great schools and an abundance of jobs
that give Fremont that high-quality-of-life brand it is known for, and
now nationally ranked for.

We believe our existing strategy will
result in the recipe for success and continued growth that Kotkin’s
article suggests is necessary – “to create the jobs, favorable
educational environment and amenities necessary to attract more
newcomers in the future.”