Fit to purpose: Cities position themselves to be more effective
Cities around the world have become far better at understanding what works and at spotting what's coming next. They collect richer data, run more evaluations, and use foresight tools to anticipate change. But many still face a crucial challenge: turning that awareness into action.
That gap matters. And that's why some city leaders are taking a closer look inward—at how their own departmental structures help or hinder action. They're not reorganizing just to be leaner or more efficient, but to become more responsive: to connect strategy, data, and delivery so that good information leads to better results.
Applying a new lens on city storytelling
Capturing people's attention is one of the first steps in successful storytelling. And, in today's fast-paced and fragmented media space, newsletters, press releases, and Facebook posts are rarely enough for local leaders looking to connect with residents. That's why a city-backed photo exhibit in Philadelphia really stands out. By spotlighting views of the city from where civil servants literally sit, the effort offers a model for how cities can be more ambitious, more experimental and, ultimately, more effective in their outreach.
