Cities are confronting new, interconnected challenges—from climate adaptation and data stewardship to mental health and mobility—yet many public institutions responsible for these issues are built for a different era. Designed for practitioners, researchers, students, and civic innovators, the virtual panel discussion will examine how cities can redesign their institutional architecture to meet the demands of the 2030s, emphasizing models that are more agile, accountable, and capable of coordinating complex services.

Panelists will explore emerging approaches that help cities act across traditional silos, including climate leadership roles, shared data governance frameworks, public-private partnerships, and mesh-style governance arrangements. The conversation will highlight how these models enable cities to anticipate change, deliver integrated services, and draw on the collective intelligence of residents, civic organizations, and businesses to improve outcomes for communities.

Virtual event open to the public. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

We welcome individuals with accessibility needs to participate in our events. Contact us at cities@harvard.edu to request accommodations or if you have questions.