A Recap from the Polco and Telosa Foundation Webinar
What are the most important forces shaping the future of cities and communities? From workforce transformation to climate resilience, a recent webinar hosted by Polco and the Telosa Foundation explored 10 megatrends that are reshaping how we live, work, and govern. With insights from local leaders, planners, and researchers, the session focused on how cities can proactively respond to the challenges ahead—while creating more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant places for all.
Together, the speakers highlighted the challenges communities face—and the opportunities to lead with innovation, equity, and shared purpose.
Mobility is about more than getting from point A to B—it’s about access to opportunity. The new vision prioritizes walkability, safety, and equity, with transportation systems that connect residents to work, school, and services without reliance on private vehicles. Concepts like the 15-minute city, shared autonomous vehicles, zero-emission transit, and elevated mobility are reshaping how cities are planned.
Jobs and economic opportunity are the bedrock of community wellbeing. They influence access to housing, health, education, and social mobility. Today’s economy is being transformed by AI, automation, clean energy, and remote work, along with demographic shifts. But history shows that major technological changes often lead to more jobs and whole new industries.
The future will require a broad range of skills—from AI literacy and green tech to healthcare and skilled trades. Education systems must respond by creating pathways at every stage of life:
Local governments have a key role in building these pipelines. Cities like Louisville, Mesa, San Antonio, and Chicago are investing in cross-sector collaboration. The Chicago Quantum Exchange, for example, is transforming a former steel site into a 128-acre hub for innovation, education, and workforce development.
Investing in people builds local resilience, supports small businesses, and ensures that everyone can thrive in a changing economy.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how local governments operate. While some worry about job displacement, most change is occurring in how work gets done—not who does it.
Webinar attendees shared how they use AI in their day-to-day work:
The next wave of AI usage involves customization—feeding the system with past documents or data to get more relevant, accurate results. Whether it’s a grants manager building proposals faster or a city clerk retrieving archived resolutions in seconds, AI is becoming a trusted co-pilot in public service.
When used responsibly, AI helps public servants do more of what matters—connecting with residents, solving complex challenges, and driving innovation.
Climate impacts are now widespread and irreversible. Every region is experiencing the effects—whether through heatwaves, storms, floods, droughts, or wildfires. These changes threaten both people and nature, leading to declines in crop yields, water availability, and biodiversity. Health risks from heat and disease are rising, and displacement is increasing—especially in vulnerable communities already burdened by inequality.
We are currently off track. Existing policies are insufficient to prevent further warming, and adaptation efforts remain underfunded and slow. But transformational change is still possible.
Climate resilience requires a threefold approach:
The concept of "bouncing forward"—not just recovering from disasters, but emerging stronger—guides many of the latest trends:
Integrated action across these areas can create communities that are more sustainable, healthy, and resilient.
Health is about more than hospitals. Wellness depends on the built environment, social supports, and access to opportunity. City leaders are prioritizing:
Communities that take a broad, inclusive approach to wellbeing—from parks to mental health—create stronger foundations for everyone.
Land use and housing are two sides of the same coin. The rules we set for how land can be used—like zoning and density—directly shape what kind of housing gets built, where, and for whom.
Our past development patterns—such as car-dependence and exclusionary zoning—have contributed to deforestation, sprawl, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. But cities are leading with innovative reforms:
Communities are also adopting new value models:
These strategies represent a shift away from scarcity and speculation, toward accessibility, inclusion, and long-term community stewardship.
The housing crisis puts affordability out of reach for many, especially those without generational wealth or dual incomes. The average home price exceeds six times the median income, and over 22 million renters are cost-burdened.
Cities are rethinking housing as essential infrastructure, a place to live, and not speculation. Forward-thinking policies include:
The Strong Towns Housing-Ready Toolkit and Urban Land Institute offer actionable steps: streamline permits, reform zoning, and build community. The goal is not to manufacture scarcity—but to ensure everyone has access to a safe, affordable home.
Trust in government has declined over decades—eroded by scandal, polarization, inequality, and misinformation. But local government leaders have a unique opportunity to rebuild it through transparency, engagement, and collaboration.
Polco’s National Community Survey shows that local trust has remained more stable than federal confidence, but it’s fragile. A better model is needed—one that shifts from a transactional “vending machine” approach to a collaborative “potluck.”
In a potluck model, everyone brings something to the table. Trust grows when residents co-create solutions, participate in budgeting, understand trade-offs, and see their input reflected in outcomes. Communities that foster shared responsibility and civic participation see stronger public support and more sustainable decisions.
Potluck practices include:
When residents are involved in shaping solutions, trust and accountability grow.
Polarization isn’t just a national issue—it’s reshaping how local governments function. As Americans increasingly distrust those from opposing viewpoints, polarization seeps into city councils, community forums, and public discourse.
While policy views may be closer than people think, identity-driven division—or affective polarization—is deeply corrosive. It impairs collaboration, strains staff, and weakens governance.
Local governments can lead the way in restoring unity by:
There’s real power in listening, building relationships, and leading with empathy—because unity starts at the community level.
Community isn’t just a place—it’s a shared experience. “Community 2.0” is about evolving how we connect, engage, and lead together as the ways we interact with one another are increasingly digital.
Cities around the world are embracing new models that prioritize:
By investing in the full spectrum of community life—from education to environment to culture—cities can design systems that are more inclusive, participatory, and responsive.
These ten megatrends are reshaping our world—but they are also full of possibility. Local governments have the tools, talent, and trust to lead communities into a better future. The key is to center people in every decision and to lead with purpose.
“The Future Megatrends webinar highlighted the importance of focusing on people first—by partnering, innovating, and planning with a shared sense of purpose. When we do that, we can shape an exciting future that is more equitable, more sustainable, and full of possibility.”
— Jon Mallon, CEO, Telosa Foundation
At Polco and the Telosa Foundation, we are proud to support this work—through data, engagement, and partnerships that empower local leaders and residents to move forward together.
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