Becoming a Future City
An aerial view of the Denver skyline. David Tejada/Getty Images
Route Fifty’s third annual Future Cities summit is Sept. 27-29. Join us to hear how local leaders from across the country are preparing for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
Powered by a historic influx of federal funding, cities have arguably never been better positioned to usher in a new era of urban living, and many local leaders are seizing the moment to push for transformational change.
Direct aid from the American Rescue Plan Act provided cities with the money needed to stabilize their economies and budgets, assist vulnerable residents and struggling businesses and strengthen the workforce. They were also able to implement new technology to continue providing services during a once-in-a-generation pandemic.
Now, funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law are bolstering local efforts to improve roads, transit, broadband and other critical infrastructure, while also creating job opportunities.
Soon, city governments will have access to even more federal support from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, which will help them to achieve their climate and environment goals.
But even with billions of federal dollars behind them, a host of threats could stand in the way of achieving meaningful progress. For instance, economic uncertainty, supply chain problems and workforce shortages are slowing some projects and making them more expensive.
Meanwhile, remote work and automation is altering where people live, whether they commute into offices and, in turn, the revenues that some of the nation’s biggest cities depend on.
And the continued spread of misinformation and disinformation threatens to erode the public’s trust in local government at a time when city governments need buy-in from their residents.
So, how do city governments rise to the moment and capitalize on these immense financial opportunities, while also addressing the serious difficulties that could undermine progress?
Join Route Fifty as we discuss these and other issues during our third annual Future Cities summit. This three-day, free virtual event will explore what’s happening now in city government, what’s around the corner, and what progress cities will need to make to ensure long-term prosperity. Featured speakers include:
Mayor Kate Gallego, city of Phoenix
Mayor John Bauters, city of Emeryville, California
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, city of Salt Lake City
Councilwoman Jamie R. Gauthier, city of Philadelphia
Eugenia Di Girolamo, chief urban designer, city and county of Denver
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