City futures in transformation: Emerging issues and case studies

This article discusses: 1. The recent/increasing prominence of cities as agents of global change; 2. Emerging issues that are likely to influence the direction of city futures in novel ways; 3. The theory and practise of city futures projects; and 4. Case studies of cities engaged in foresight projects.

► Cities are beginning to imagine alternative futures for themselves that go beyond the tradition of providing roads, rates, rubbish and safety. ► The Healthy cities movement is focused on creating a particular alternative future predicated on the physical, social and even the spiritual determinants of health. ► The Six pillars approach to futures studies provides a framework for mapping, anticipating, deepening and creating alternative city futures. ► Based on foresight case studies, lessons are drawn: city foresight must be embedded in solid methods; strategies to realize visions must be central to the foresight process; and the long term must be linked to the electoral cycle of political representatives. ► Agency - anticipatory democracy - can be victorious over city structures and traditional worldviews.