Speaking as the editors of UBM's Future Cities, we are thrilled to have concluded 2012 by launching this site, and we are eager to begin 2013 in the midst of this thriving conversation about global cities.
As we usher in the coming year, we do so knowing that cities the world-over face immense challenges in dealing with the environmental impacts of a changing climate; the strain placed on infrastructure and the urban environment as a whole by a growing population; the IT struggles faced by cities seeking to become connected; and much more.
That's why we're ending this year by calling out the 13 Cities to Watch in 2013. We've made our selection carefully, choosing cities that are watch-worthy because of interesting and innovative initiatives they're undertaking in the year ahead, or because of challenges they will need to overcome in order to survive and serve as examples for other urban environments. Our choices are listed below, in no particular order. Feel free to click one by one, in order... or out of order if you're feeling especially wild.
As always, we invite and welcome your feedback. Feel we've missed a city to watch? Disagree with our choices? Or simply want to give us a virtual pat on the back for doing an unbelievably excellent job? Please join the conversation down on the message board.
In the meantime, we present 13 Cities to Watch in 2013:
Re: New York and NYC Agreed, PeterJ. The New York City v. upstate situation is longstanding and very clearly delineated. I'd venture that some other city/state dichotomies exist, though.
Washington, DC, and its surrounding area comes to mind.
New York and NYC As a frequent visitor to upstate NY, I find it surprising how "foreign" the city is to other parts of the state. I'm sure this exists - or that there is a disconnect in other US states, but it does seem to be a profoubd one in NY State.
Re: Cities to watch Great point, Peter_Newton, that considering cities apart from countries and regions makes sense. Frequently, cities are entirely distinct entities from the surrounding states or regions.
We see this situation in New York State, where New York City is as different as the moon from upstate New York.
Re: I don't agree My hypothesis is that rebuilding a city during a time of economic stress produces a poorer result than would be the case in better time. Needs must, so the replacement of dangerous structures and the housing of people will be prioritised over thoughtful planning and good design.
i really hope I'm wrong. Much of Europe has cities full of bad designs built badly during the 1940s and 50s. Inevitably these take many decades to fix.
Re: I don't agree Hi Simon,
I enjoyed seeing Christchurch in 2003, and I was dismayed at the damage wrought in the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. It will be interesting to see how the city rebuilds and the community engagement seems to have been very extensive.
If one thinks of Napier, on the north island of New Zealand, which was hit by a strong earthquake in 1931, and therefore has the highest concentration of Art Deco architecture probably outside of Miami, I wonder what the rebuilt Christchurch's architectural legacy will be like. Will it also be a snapshot of a moment in architectural history?
Cities to watch Great to see cities from Africa and South America featuring on the list. There is such richness when thinking about cities rather then countries or regions which allow us to go beyond our national stereotypes. I haven't been to Abuja or Dar es Salaam, but I look forward to seeing how they do over the next couple of years!
Moscow I have never visited Russian, but have been told they have the best Subways. I am very interested in watching how they change the transport system for the better. I anticipate great innovation. I will seek news on what Moscow is doing to improve in 2013.
Another Contender? Personally, I believe Burlington, Vermont deserves a spot on the list. While some cities are only now coming up with plans for their future, these folks took the unusual step way back in 2000 of creating the Burlington Legacy Action Plan to ensure their city remains livable and sustainable. For the most part they appear to remain committed to the plan, and the plan is succeeding. Burlington looks like a great place to live! Check out Burlington's site for the Legacy Project here.
Re: I don't agree Hey Simon, really great feedback. Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply. London was close enough to making the cut, indeed, and is definitely worth "watching."
As for the others, as we spell out here, they're all doing noteworthy things in the year ahead. In my view, all of the issues you cite are all the more reason that we should be watching these cities -- to see if they can succeed with their current undertakings and ventures, or if all of the problems you mention will continue to drag them down and hold them back from real progress.
However, are there other cities besides London you would have put on this list?
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