THE POWER OF PEOPLE, PLACES & FIRMS
Reading Time: 4 minutesBig metros power ahead while many towns and smaller regions struggle to keep up. A recent UK-Japan study, looks squarely at this problem through two ‘second city’ regions – Birmingham/the West Midlands and Osaka/Kansai – and distils a practical playbook that local leaders can use now. The argument is simple: finds durable institutions, functional regional geographies, flexible finance, and open learning loops are the levers that turn strategy into outcomes.
Reading Time: 3 minutesOver the last decade, housing costs in big cities soared by 68% – far higher than in smaller cities or rural areas – stretching household budgets, and pricing young people and families out of urban centres. São Paulo offers a glimpse of what’s possible when cities use densification not just to build higher, but to build fairer. Can São Paulo’s new approach show the way for other cities?
Reading Time: 4 minutesParis is going beyond the basics to harness innovation and power not just startups but the future of entire cities.
Reading Time: 4 minutesChildren are disappearing from city centres. Between 2018 and 2023, 19 out of 30 European capitals saw the share of the population aged 0-14 decline
Reading Time: 3 minutesA decade after their launch, the OECD Principles on Water Governance remain more relevant than ever. With floods, droughts and water demand rising, the world doesn’t just need more pipes, it needs smarter policies
Reading Time: 3 minutesSofia’s waste management reform focuses on improving disposal options, enhancing public engagement, and enforcing regulations. Initiatives include pop-up collection points and partnerships with residents, schools, and businesses, aiming to create a cleaner, more sustainable city for all.
Reading Time: < 1 minute仙台市は、東北大学や約70の企業・団体と連携し、スマートシティの実現に向けた取り組みを進めています。市民ニーズに基づく新たなサービスを創出し、地域の課題に対応する具体例を示しました。
Reading Time: 3 minutesCities are crucial for national competitiveness. Turin is exemplifying this by integrating its industrial heritage with emerging sectors. Investing in people and education fosters innovation and a long-term strategy focusing on urban regeneration, sustainability, and inclusivity will prepare cities like Turin for future challenges.