The Long-Term Thinking Cities Need

A roundtable of discussion of prominent urbanists examines the questions of urbanism with a long-term mindset.

1 minute read

June 26, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Little Rock 1871

Little Rock, Arkansas in 1871. | Wikimedia Commons

"In this critical moment in urban history, how do we envision the far-out futures of our cities?"

That's the big question posed to a group of prominent urbanists gathered by Longpath, a future-focused initiative based in Irvington, New York.

The urbanists participating in the discussion are:

  • Gil Penalosa, the founder of 8 80 Cities.
  • Sam Liccardo, mayor of San Jose, California.
  • Toni Griffin, professor in practice of urban planning, Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
  • Dan Doctoroff, chairman and CEO, Sidewalk Labs.
  • George Abbott, director, external Affairs, Memphis River Parks Partnership
  • Shelley Poticia, managing director, Healthy People and Thriving Communities program at the Natural Resource Defense Council.
  • Michael Tubbs, mayor, Stockton, California.
  • Michael Berkowitz, president, 100 Resilient Cities.
  • Bruce Katz, author of The New Localism: How cities can thrive in the age of populism.
  • Carol Coletta, senior fellow of American Cities Practice, Kresge Foundation.
  • Jonathan Rose, President; Author of The Well Tempered City.

Two, more specific, questions help the roundtable arrive at insight about the larger question about thinking long-term. First, the roundtable focuses on what needs to change in the mindset of the world to realize their desired future, and second the roundtable discusses the "inflection points" from the last 100 years of urban history that had still influencing the cities of today.

Monday, June 4, 2018 in CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

15 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA