Urban Futures | Economist Impact

Urban Futures

Cities represent the future of global living. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas. Yet many cities are unprepared for rapid urbanisation: the development of housing, infrastructure and services. Transforming cities to be economically, socially and environmentally resilient is crucial. However, designing infrastructure today to address future challenges is not easy. It requires careful planning, innovative technology, and collaboration between the private and public sectors, and local communities.

Urban Futures is Economist Impact’s commitment to future-proofing urban development by creating cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It aims to equip influential audiences with research, data and insights to explore what is needed to build intelligent and inclusive areas that foster economic and social prosperity for all.

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Latest insights

Thumbnail | A cityscape with buildings in yellow, teal, and gray with red outlines, road with traffic and green trees around.

Supported by JLL

Latest insights

Radical retrofit

Explore why the retrofitting imperative is growing and which pathways can accelerate progress in the next five years

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Two women engaged in conversation while sitting at a table, sharing smiles and ideas.

Voices

In conversation with Patricia Espinosa

Patricia Espinosa, former executive secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, discusses how urban areas can take the lead in driving climate resilience, how governments can engage the younger generation in making policy decisions for urban development and sustainable mobility.

A group of people sitting on a walkway near a body of water, engaged in conversation and enjoying their surroundings.

Insights

The Global Liveability Index

Explore the world’s most liveable cities in the EIU’s latest iteration of the Global Liveability Index

A picture of a man wearing a blue shirt next to a train, with the train and city visible in the background.

Voices

From movement to meaning: reframing transport for better quality of life

How generational amnesia is undermining active travel and equity in the UK

In conversation with | Video poster with Andrew Savage

Voices

In conversation with Andrew Savage

Andrew Savage, vice president of sustainability and founding team member at Lime discusses how micro-mobility is reshaping urban transport

How has the global energy transition evolved over the past ten years? Video poster with Adair Turner

Voices

In conversation with Adair Turner

Adair Turner, chair, Energy Transitions Commission discusses why modern grids and buildings are key to net-zero energy systems

Key Research

Supported by JLL
Radical retrofit: adapting cities for a resilient future
Cities are vital engines of economic growth, but rapid urbanisation is placing immense pressure on infrastructure and resources. Creating more liveable cities demands a fundamental rethinking of how urban spaces are designed, built and maintained. Economist Impact, supported by JLL, has launched a new research programme that explores how retrofitting and reusing existing buildings can help cities develop climate-resilient infrastructure, maximize space, and foster experience-led and productive workplaces. Drawing on a survey of senior business leaders in the built environment sectors across 12 cities globally, the study analyses how both mature and emerging cities are navigating the retrofitting imperative. It charts bold yet practical pathways to accelerate retrofitting, providing a five-year roadmap for action to built environment stakeholders.
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Supported by Nissan Motor Corporation
Young adults’ priorities in motion: balancing sustainable mobility with urban demands
Urban mobility is at a crossroads, shaped by rapid urbanisation, evolving lifestyles and the pressing need for sustainability. As key drivers of this transformation, young adults’ perspectives on sustainable mobility and its trade-offs must be better understood. Economist Impact, supported by Nissan, has launched a new research program examining the mobility habits, preferences and challenges of young city dwellers. Based on a survey of 3,750 residents aged 18-30 across 15 global cities and insights from leading mobility experts, the study explores how young people balance cost, convenience and environmental impact in their transport choices—and what cities must do to build an accessible, resilient and sustainable mobility ecosystem.
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Supported by Zurich
Resilience from the ground up: assessing city-level approaches to climate risk and adaptation
Cities are at the centre of the climate crisis. While they can amplify climate risks, they can also guard against the worst impacts of climate change. City residents hold strong opinions about the road ahead, yet their views are rarely considered.
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Supported by UN-Habitat
Urban Performance Index
Economist Impact, in collaboration with and with funding from UN-Habitat, has developed the Urban Performance Index (UPI), a framework designed to gauge sustainable development in cities globally. With precise and comprehensive metrics, the UPI aims to enhance the monitoring of sustainable urban development and enable informed decision-making by facilitating data collection, disseminating knowledge and identifying best practices.
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Commissioned by Novartis
City Heartbeat Index
The City Heartbeat Index evaluates 50 cities across five domains with 44 indicators and sub-indicators, primarily serving as a benchmarking tool for assessing the drivers and barriers to cardiovascular health at the city level. In addition, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of a city-level focus on cardiovascular health, facilitate policy development, spark stakeholder discussions, promote collaboration across sectors, and spur consideration of greater investment in health initiatives.
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Supported by Tokio Marine Group
Resilient Cities Index 2023
The Resilient Cities Index developed by Economist Impact and sponsored by Tokio Marine Group evaluates resilience across four key pillars: critical infrastructure, environment, socio-institutional and economic. The first iteration of the index provides a global ranking of 25 cities based on 19 indicators and 41 sub‑indicators.
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Supported by DuPont Water Solutions
The City Water Index
The City Water Index examines the water optimisation potential of a diverse selection of cities. Developed by Economist Impact and supported by DuPont Water Solutions, the index includes tools to help you assess the operational and regulatory performance of your city.
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Events

October 6th-7th 2025 | The Movenpick, Amsterdam

Sustainability Week Europe

After a successful event in Amsterdam in 2024, we return in 2025. With a focus on action, we will offer two days of content, closed room roundtables, drinks reception and more.

October 30th - 31st 2025, Cape Town

2nd annual Sustainability Week Africa

The conference is a business and investment event focused on how companies can help the continent become sustainable faster while avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.

Partners who enable our work

Economist Impact works with organisations globally to further their mission and catalyse progress. Partner with us on Urban Futures to drive progress towards a more equitable and sustainable urban future for all.

We welcome feedback and ideas to inform our strategic roadmap. Send questions or comments to Jonathan Birdwell, Head of policy and insights, Economist Impact [email protected]

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