A new Deloitte Global report on urban transformation identifies 12 trends cities need to act on as they seek sustainability, resilience, and prosperity in a post-COVID landscape. Urban Future with a Purpose: 12 trends shaping the future of cities by 2030 identifies how cities can use these trends as a guide to build back better by leveraging technology and innovation.
Although the pandemic disrupted the very core of urban living—from social distancing and lockdowns to destabilised local economies—cities remain well-placed to respond to crisis and set the rules for restoring vibrant, humanised communities. With their human capital, infrastructure, and scalability potential, urban centres can drive the change needed to create a green, digital, and inclusive society of the future.
These 12 trends set the stage for what a resilient and sustainable urban future looks like
says Miguel Eiras Antunes, Deloitte’s Global Smart City, Smart Nation and Local Government Leader.
"They not only can help governments develop and evolve their urban transformation strategies but also help them balance short-term pressures with longer-term needs."
Drawing on the insights from researchers, policy makers, and city leaders, the 12 trends include:
While recovery from the pandemic as well as the pressure of growing populations are key factors for cities, other relevant challenges must also be addressed by urban planners in order to create sustainable cities. The report identifies some of these challenges, including such economic, social, and environmental issues as affordable housing, segregation and inequality, and climate change.
The 12 trends were developed based on original research and interviews conducted with experts from a range of public, private, and academic organisations, including:
The insightful contributions of these interviewees on the topic of urban transformation and smart cities formed the backbone of this report. You can read more about their views at https://www2.deloitte.com/urban-future-with-a-purpose-study
Through the Smart Cities & Urban Transformation practice, Deloitte has an ambition to improve citizens’ quality of life, solve key urban challenges, and positively contribute towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The initiative offers up-to-the-minute thinking on how cities can use advanced digital technologies to address such key issues as mobility, data, and sustainability. Drawing on our global reach and cross-sector experience, Deloitte translates a holistic vision of smart cities into actionable, concrete solutions that can enable a brighter urban future.
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Akinbami Damilola
West Africa Growth Office Lead
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dakinbami@deloitte.com.ng