TRANSPONDER
In this second issue of the Transponder, we explore how transatlantic cities confront global challenges. With a growing number of cities and towns around the world focusing their energies on actionable objectives, cities are becoming the epicenter of change. They are at the forefront of political, economic, environmental, democratic, and social change. As more than half of the world’s population currently resides in cities, a figure that is projected to rise to 68% by 2050, we see many local governments working to address societal challenges, ranging from climate change, inequality, migration, technological change, and democratic governance. Cities have increasingly become places to test policy and implement change in a ground-up approach rather than relying on the trickle-down method previously set on the world stage. With city officials hoping to improve their residents’ lives, they are implementing concrete policy initiatives over diplomatic pledges to meet future benchmarks. While national politics may seem to be at an impasse in many countries, if we take a closer look at certain cities, we’ll see there is a determination to create longlasting policies for the benefit of future generations. Please enjoy this second issue which offers a variety of articles and interviews highlighting cities and their policies on both sides of the Atlantic. Happy Reading! The Bertelsmann Foundation
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