How to design the city of tomorrow
– a guide for today's decision-makers
Cities are changing fast. Sustainability and economic pressures, industrial renewal and growing expectations for services are reshaping how decisions are made. This guide shows how to move from reactive, fragmented choices to proactive leadership that creates long-term value for people, the economy and the environment.
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About the content
The white paper introduces VTT’s Impact Leadership approach for city decision-making. It presents five interconnected building blocks that help align strategy with measurable outcomes: setting a shared long-term vision, embedding a systemic approach to value co-creation, measuring what matters through impact targets and data, designing services for real impact, and driving citywide change. Real-world examples from Finland, Chile and Japan show the approach in action — from industrial renewal in Jämsä and foresight training in Tampere to circular solutions in Saga and urban transformation in Kera.
Who is this for
- City leaders and public officials shaping strategy, services and investments
- Economic development and innovation teams driving industrial renewal
- Urban planners and programme leads coordinating cross-sector initiatives
- Ecosystem partners from business, education and research co-creating city solutions
Why this white paper?
Traditional approaches often react to problems and optimise for the short term. The challenges cities face are interconnected, so working in silos is no longer enough. This guide provides a structured, evidence-based way to lead impact across environmental, economic and social dimensions. It helps leaders set a shared direction, test choices with data, and translate strategy into actions that support sustainable growth and wellbeing. The examples demonstrate how transparent, collaborative decision-making builds resilience and accelerates renewal.