According to a new report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers on "Cities of the Future," a number of megatrends are affecting the strategic agenda in cities.  They are:

• Globalization/Glocalization
• Individualism
• Merging
• Acceleration
• High Tech
• High Touch
• Changing Demographics
• Urbanization
• Migration

These megatrends are creating challenges for cities:

• Ageing population causing increased financial burdens on health and welfare systems
• Economic restructuring, increased unemployment and the end of  life-long working
• Disasters, including natural catastrophes, terroism and epidemics
• Crime, safety and security
• Migration and immigrations (people and knowledge), segregation and poverty
• Social cohesion and equality
• Sustainable development and economic growth
• Environmental management
• Energy consumption and energy prices
• Provision of good quality affordable housing
• Connectivity
• Competition between cities and regions, nationally and internationally -- "city branding" and marketing
• Need for better dialogue between citizens and city employees and the city leadership

The report also outlines examples of internal or organizational global trends with relevance to cities:

• Financial pressures and the need for new revenue streams
• The need for new accounting models and greater transparency
• Creating confidence and building public trust through citizen engagement and dialogue
• Improving performance and the delivery of efficient and effective services
• Decentralization with accountability
• Privatization and outsourcing
• Effective e-government and 24-hour citizen-focused access
• Creating new arenas for dialogue between the city and its stakeholders
• New approaches in leadership and management
• Entrepreneurial prototyping or the concept of piloting initiatives to test their effectiveness before making wholesale change

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