Four Cities That Can Inspire Cleveland's Reinvention

Guest columnist Michael Weidokal shares lessons from Toronto, Manchester, Adelaide, and Pittsburgh on reviving a former manufacturing hub

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:34am

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The author, a global economist and futurist, argues that Cleveland can learn from the transformations of four cities - Toronto, Manchester, Adelaide, and Pittsburgh - that have successfully reinvented themselves after the collapse of their leading industries. He outlines how these cities diversified their economies, attracted talent, and coordinated public-private efforts to spur growth, providing a roadmap for Cleveland to revive its fortunes.

Why it matters

Cleveland has faced significant challenges in recent decades, including population decline, sluggish economic growth, and high crime rates. However, the author sees the dramatic changes happening today as a unique opportunity for Cleveland to rebound. By learning from the examples of other cities that have successfully reinvented themselves, Cleveland can identify strategies to diversify its economy, attract talent, and coordinate public-private efforts to spur growth and improve the living standards of its inhabitants.

The details

The author identifies four cities that Cleveland can learn from: Toronto, Manchester, Adelaide, and Pittsburgh. Each of these former manufacturing hubs faced the collapse of their leading industries, demographic stagnation or decline, and stiff competition from rival cities. However, they were able to successfully reinvent themselves. Toronto transformed from a lakeside manufacturing hub to a global economic center, diversifying into finance and technology. Manchester revived its economy by diversifying into new industries and redeveloping its downtown. Adelaide pivoted to high-growth sectors like defense and aerospace, as well as boosting its wine industry. And Pittsburgh developed new economic hubs in healthcare, high-tech, and education, leveraging its universities.

  • In recent decades, Cleveland has faced a declining population, sluggish economic growth, and high crime rates.
  • The dramatic changes taking place today are giving Cleveland a unique opportunity to revive its fortunes.

The players

Michael Weidokal

A global economist, futurist, and the founder of International Strategic Analysis (ISA), who grew up in Northeast Ohio and has advised many cities and regions on growth opportunities and threats.

Toronto

A city that has transformed from a lakeside manufacturing hub to a global economic center, becoming Canada's leading financial and technological hub.

Manchester

An English city that was once a leading manufacturing center for textiles, but has reinvented itself by diversifying its economy and redeveloping its downtown.

Adelaide

An Australian city that was the heart of the country's automotive industry, but has pivoted to high-growth sectors like defense, aerospace, and wine to revive its economy.

Pittsburgh

A city that has developed new economic hubs in healthcare, high-tech, and education, leveraging its universities to provide talent and drive growth.

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What they’re saying

“If any city in the world should be the aspirational goal for Cleveland, it is Toronto. This city has gone from being a lakeside manufacturing hub to a global economic center in the span of just a few decades.”

— Michael Weidokal, Global economist and futurist

What’s next

The author argues that Cleveland needs to aggressively target investment in industries with strong growth prospects, foster greater coordination between its political, economic, and educational institutions, and work to attract young professionals from outside the region - all lessons that can be drawn from the successful transformations of the four cities he highlights.

The takeaway

Cleveland has a unique opportunity to revive its fortunes by learning from the examples of other cities that have successfully reinvented themselves after the collapse of their leading industries. By diversifying its economy, attracting talent, and coordinating public-private efforts, Cleveland can follow in the footsteps of cities like Toronto, Manchester, Adelaide, and Pittsburgh to spur growth and improve the living standards of its inhabitants.