Municipal officials and citizens alike are working to prepare our cities for the future, based on knowledge of current trends affecting people on the local level. To anticipate such trends on the horizon, the National League of Cities is studying certain high-impact issues. By examining city-level shifts, in arenas such as demographics, business, education and community cohesion we can ready ourselves for such changes to strengthen neighborhoods, towns and municipalities across the country.
Although NLC cannot predict and track all of the trends occurring in America?s cities and towns, here you will find a handful of major trends under examination to both raise awareness and guide municipal officials and citizens toward effective action.
Public Finance
Trend Spotlight: Cities appear to be making the best of limited resources -- Nearly half of the elected officials (47%) responding to the survey say their cities are spending more on children and families today than they were five years ago.
- Strengthening Families in America?s Cities: Municipal Finance for Child and Family Services 2004
Demographic Changes and Growth in the Nation?s Cities
Trend Spotlight: Nine of the 10 metro areas saw an increase in mixed-race neighborhoods. In Boston, Chicago, and Detroit, neighborhoods with a mix of whites and Hispanics or Asians fueled this increase.
- Living Together: A New Look at Racial and Ethnic Integration in Metropolitan Neighborhoods, 2004
- How has the makeup of cities changed in the last 10, 20 and 30 years?
- How are cities going to change in the coming years?
- Read latest: The State of America?s Cities
CityFutures
- The NLC leadership group, the Advisory Council, is responsible for the CityFutures Program (along with the CityFutures Panels) which includes:
1) The Futures Report, based on a 3-year study of a particular topic, such as tackling inequalities or improving early childhood education; and
2) The scan of trends and changes occurring in the nation?s cities and towns, to asses the important issues affecting our communities currently and into the future. Thus far, the following topics have been selected for further study by the Advisory Council and a spectrum of NLC member groups:
- Public Finance: Recent shifts in the economy's foundation have dramatically altered the revenue system upon which local officals rely to provide services for citizens and maintain strong communities. Due to such shifts, the partnerships between various government levels can grow strained. NLC is working to help local elected officals find new ways to coordinate public finance systems in order to best serve the nation's cities and towns.
- Economic Vitality: Transitioning toward an information economy, adjusting to globalization, and handling employment shifts all matters of great importance to local officials and community members. NLC is evaluating the trends and changes affecting the nation?s economic vitality in order to help cities and towns prosper.
- Governance, Civic Engagement & Trust: Local governance is established upon a foundation of trust between officials and citizens. More than ever communication and cooperation between local elected officials and citizens is being tested. From the changing role of the media to growing dissatisfaction with election processes, NLC is studying these issues to grasp the emerging trends around governance, civic engagement and trust. NLC recognizes the importance of sustaining partnerships between citizens and local officials and this examination will aid in such efforts.
- Public Safety: The issue of public safety demands the attention of local elected officials in communities large and small. From the mounting threat of terrorism to the management of prisons and municipal courts, cities and towns are grappling with the challenge of keeping communities safe. NLC is looking closely at this topic to stengthen public safety on the local level by understanding ongoing trends and anticipating future needs.