Leading Cities' Publications
This growing collection of publications shares insights, strategies, and bold ideas for building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures. Each piece reflects Leading Cities’ commitment to advancing smart city innovation—bringing together research, real-world solutions, and cross-sector collaboration to address the challenges shaping our cities today and tomorrow.
Living Streets: How Cities are Trading Car Culture for Climate Resilience
Living streets are transforming cities by turning car-dominated roads into climate-resilient public spaces. By prioritizing walking, cycling, and nature over traffic, they reduce emissions, cool surface temperatures, and improve both public health and urban livability.
Replacing asphalt with permeable surfaces, tree canopies, and rain gardens helps lower flood risk and combat extreme heat—reducing street temperatures by up to 90°F and stormwater runoff by nearly 90%. These redesigned streets also support community well-being and equity by increasing access to green space and safe, active transportation.
From Barcelona’s Superblocks to Paris’s 15-minute city, global cities are reclaiming space for people and the planet. Living streets are no longer a luxury—they’re a vital tool for building resilient, healthy, and inclusive cities in the face of climate change.
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Leveraging Tree Canopies for
Sustainable, Resilient Cities
Urban forests are powerful climate shields, helping cities combat rising temperatures, manage water, and build resilience. By mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect through shade and evapotranspiration, trees offer natural temperature regulation—even at night. When integrated into urban agriculture, forests improve soil health and food security, supporting both environmental and social resilience in the face of climate extremes.
Beyond heat, urban forests protect against natural disasters like floods, wildfires, and coastal storms. Coastal and riparian trees act as bio-shields, while innovative technologies—from satellite heat mapping (WEO) to AI-powered tree planning (Taro AI), wildfire prevention systems (FortyGuard), and wave-attenuating structures that protect coastal forests (Reef Arches)—amplify their impact. As cities seek sustainable solutions, urban forests stand out as essential infrastructure for a more resilient future.
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Talent Magnets: Cities and Universities Building the Workforce for a Knowledge Economy
Explore how cities can team up with universities to become hubs of innovation, attract top-tier talent, and future-proof their local economies. This report highlights strategies that create vibrant, knowledge-based communities and unlock new pathways for economic growth.
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Co-Creation Connectivity: Addressing the Citizen Engagement Challenge
Cities thrive when their residents are truly engaged—but traditional methods often fall short. This publication explores how co-creation and digital connectivity are transforming public participation, offering city leaders new strategies to involve citizens meaningfully in decision-making. Featuring global insights and practical examples, it's a must-read for anyone reimagining civic engagement in the digital age.
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Co-Creating Cities: Defining Co-Creation as a Means of Citizen Engagement
What if citizens weren’t just asked for feedback, but invited to co-design city solutions from day one? This report dives into how cities like Barcelona, Boston, and Hamburg are redefining civic participation through co-creation—a model rooted in collaboration across government, academia, business, and everyday citizens. Learn how this transformative approach unlocks innovation, trust, and more equitable outcomes.
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Smart Agriculture in Boston: The Frontier for Industry Growth, Engagement, and Food Security
Boston’s agricultural sector may be small, but its potential is big. This report explores how Boston can position itself as a leader in smart agriculture by leveraging policy, education, and innovation to grow a more equitable, climate-friendly food system. From vertical farms to job training pipelines, it highlights how agriculture—when integrated with sustainability and community goals—can become a serious engine for local industry and economic development.
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