Good Management is the foundation of successful urban development

Urbanization boom – Challenges ahead for our cities

 

All over the world the competition between cities and agglomerations is rising. A huge growth in populations is expected in the following decades and young people will be keen to relocate to cities.

 Cities are facing fundamental changes. These changes can be a chance for prosperity and growth but they will be accompanied by great challenges, too.

The migration of people can bring out prosperity and job creation but can also prompt huge socio-economic problems. Cities must carefully plan and systematically regulate their growth to lay the foundations for sustainable, peaceful and prosperous development. A recent survey determined that in industrial countries seven out of 10 people live in cities. This is expected to increase to eight by 2030.

 

Urban development – new management tasks needed

 

To cope with the growing population and the challenges this can bring about, cities should guarantee a livable environment, providing secure areas for housing and work, and safe and efficient public infrastructure, as well as ensuring social integration and inclusion.

Urban development is a highly complex process that involves many stakeholders and a plurality of action fields as well as the discontinuity of political mandates for decision makers. In the context of an international comparative study, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants analyzed factors of success for effective urban development. The study consists of 30 Interviews with international experts, an analysis of 50 cities and their development, and the evaluation of over 300 reports. The study aims to create an impetus for successful urban development management.

 

Nine key success factors for urban development management

First results show that it is less important which growth targets are set but more valuable if the cities are capable of systematically realizing their growth targets over a long period.

Based on the study of 20 German cities and other projects concerning growth, nine crucial challenges in three categories appear. The three categories are strategy, governance and implementation. Here's what we have learned:

Strategy

1.        

Urban development management needs realistic initial-analysis that considers  risks, strengths, weaknesses and comparisons with other agglomerations.

2.

The objectives of urban management should address all stakeholders and should concentrate its strengths on few specific achievable targets to create a  mobilizing vision.

 

3.        

Urban development needs a plain strategy. Concepts, containing too many or     contradictory targets are doomed to fail.

 

Governance

4.        

Cities have to be prepared for all contingencies and must develop alternative cenarios to keep growth -management flexible.

 

5.       

 City- management is a matter for the leaders. Successful growth needs distinct role   -models, and this also goes for the political leadership of the city.

 

6.        

Pooling of competences and a clear schedule of responsibilities are needed for successful urban development.

7.       

Citizens should participate and influence the growth of their city. Smart    Participation enables active and engaged citizens to take part in these processes.

 

Implementation

8.        

The communication strategy must address the relevant target groups in order to be authentic. Professional authentic communication and marketing require interdisciplinary know-how and sufficient financial and human resources.

 

9.        

Finally, successful growth requires the definition of measurable targets as well    as the examination of the objectives. This is the only way to ensure the  accomplishment of growth targets.