CITIES

The dual disruptions of hybrid work and the soaring cost of living are the reasons the future of cities is even a question. How cities address these issues will affect the nation at large, says What the Future Editor Matt Carmichael.

The future of how people work depends on whether employers mandate return to office or keep hybrid work arrangements. In both cases, HP’s Martin Schwarz thinks the companies (and cities) that are ready either way will perform the best.

By keeping both young and old Americans in consideration, urban planners can build cities that work better for everyone, says urbanist Gil Penalosa.

What people expect from retail experiences is changing, whether they’re shopping online, in-store, or somewhere in between. Here’s what Ipsos’ Neil Ellefsen thinks retailers need to know.

America is aging. This demographic shift is an opportunity to center inclusion and accessibility in product design, says Ipsos’ Alyson Heffernan.

With downtown business districts changing by the day, restaurants and retailers need to adapt to the shifting needs of their patrons, says the National Restaurant Association’s Hudson Riehle.

American cities are built for cars. But as commuting patterns shift with work patterns, automakers like GM are envisioning a new role to keep cities moving.

As climate change-driven extreme weather gets more unpredictable — and its effects, more immediate — climate migration could reshape the nation’s economy, culture and demography, says Ipsos Public Affairs’ Mallory Newall.

Climate change isn’t coming, it’s here, says Keith A. James, mayor of West Palm Beach, Fla. Here’s what he says resiliency means for the future of cities.