Governance, Policy Analysis & Managing Change

We continue to “prepare for growth” but now in the face of disruption. Disruptions may be temporary (e.g., COVID-19) or permanent (e.g., climate crisis, autonomous cars). The policy response to COVID-19 demonstrated that our governments are capable of swift action. For public safety, they temporarily increased cycling infrastructure, introduced roadside patio restaurants and bars, and legislated off-peak deliveries to grocery stores. Many of these emergency innovations are being made permanent. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with planning for change, as well as responding to disruption? How can we safely enable more experimentation that may lead to further beneficial innovation in our cities?