The Redefinition of Cities: From Growth Engines to the Frontier of Global Governance
Urban development is shifting from a local planning issue to a core battlefield of global governance. This article explores the new stage of urbanization, the restructuring of urban and state power, the dual transformations of climate and digitalization, and the strategic role of cities in the 21st century.
As the majority of the global population settles in cities, urban development is no longer merely a local affair but has become a key clue to understanding the future of the global economy, politics, and ecology. Starting from the OECD's urban development themes, this article re-examines the evolution of cities from growth engines to governance frontiers, analyzes the restructuring of city–state relations, the challenges of climate and digitalization, and proposes a long-termism framework for urban development.
