- The document discusses the future of cities and focuses on the need for long-term thinking when planning cities. It notes that cities are where many policy objectives succeed or fail.
- It also discusses how the UK has been gradually devolving more powers to cities and argues that future cities should be "liveable". Additionally, water issues need to be considered systematically in development decisions given the interdependencies between cities and water.
- There are challenges to planning due to cities having long impact cycles and highly interdependent systems. Research is needed to address knowledge gaps and help plan future cities. An integrated, long-term, and evidence-based approach is advocated.