James E. Ukrop called for a revamping of state laws that limit city expansion and pushed for leaders with a regional perspective.

Richmond needs to think regionally if it wants to play globally, James E. Ukrop told the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond last night.

Ukrop, chairman of First Market Bank, said Richmond, as a city and a region, shares many of the traits of great international cities. He added, however, there's much to be done to strengthen its stature.

He called for a revamping of state laws that limit city expansion and for a broader vision to lift the entire community. "We need to seek out and elect leaders in every jurisdiction who have a regional perspective," he said.

Later, Ukrop urged the crowd of about 150 people at the Omni Richmond Hotel to support the Coalition for a Greater Richmond political-action committee.

"When it comes to infrastructure, transportation, economic development and quality-of-life issues, we must take off our jurisdictional hats and rid ourselves of the parochial thinking that exists in our region," he said.

Ukrop said the region's localities cooperate in many ways but also bemoaned the lack of a regional transit system. He endorsed a proposal backed by business leaders for a regional authority that would use increased taxes and fees to generate $105 million annually for transportation projects in central Virginia. "If we want to have a world-class transportation system, we cannot depend upon the state to fund it," Ukrop said. "We've got to do it ourselves locally."

Ukrop said global cities share such basic characteristics as safe neighborhoods, good schools and affordable housing, as well as fine arts, entertainment and good restaurants.

"It must be cosmopolitan, not provincial," he said. "It must be diverse, both ethnically and socially. A vibrant city thrives on the differences and the clash of lifestyles."

He said a recent report on Richmond by consultant James A. Crupi represents a regional call for leadership that's "built on collaboration, inclusion and respect for one another."

Ukrop decried Richmond's loss of the baseball Braves to Gwinnett County, Ga., but also said the city has much working in its favor, including an engaged business community and new leadership on local school boards and boards of supervisors.

Ukrop's message of regional unity resonated with Tim Jenkins, who moved from Boston to Chesterfield County two years ago.

"My view is once you . . . have a ring road, you have a city," he said, referring to the highway network through the area's suburbs. "To be more effective, we have to get rid of some of the artificial boundaries."
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.