Greg Clark, Senior Fellow at Urban Land Institute London, talks about bussiness and leadership of shared cities. How do cities become self-confident and develop confident approach to the future? Greg brings to the conversation the role of bussinesses in creating this self-confidence. Cities and commerce have always been inextricably linked but rapid and continuing globalisazion and urbanisation is changing the bonds between the two. Our cities are somehow becoming more like businesses, they have to compete in global markets, attract investors, they worry about leadership, talent, networking, investments and so there is a way in which cities became more like businesses where citizens are the shareholders. However, in a certain way cities are nothing like businesses; risk taking is controlled, they do not primarily seek for profit, so they have none of the freedoms and capabilites of business. So, cities are basically trying to do what business are doing without having the tools business have. This creates a set of problems that cities tackle. Greg visited over 100 cities and identified 5 problems all cities have. Short-termism, fragmented jurisdiction, limited access to capital are some of the examples that he mentions in this catchy lecture.
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