What do you do if you're an urban planner trying to keep up with the latest trends in strategic thinking?

To follow new developments regarding strategic thought in metropolitan planning can be done through publication and attendance to conferences, continuous learning via relevant courses, team work with colleagues who are experts in the field, adopting technology for data analysis and using holistic approach of social, economic, environmental and political relatedness.

This commitment to education can take many forms, such as enrolling in online courses that cover emerging topics like smart city technologies and climate change. For instance, platforms like Coursera and edX offer courses developed by leading universities on urban planning and integrating green spaces into city landscapes, providing planners with insights into future trends. Additionally, participating in webinars/workshops hosted by professional associations, such as APA, can offer up-to-date knowledge on legislation, technical advancements, and innovative planning methodologies. These learning opportunities equip planners to tackle contemporary challenges with innovative solutions, ensuring their strategies remain effective in the future.

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Artificial Intelligence (AI), represents a forward-thinking approach in urban planning, moving beyond traditional tools like GIS. IoT devices, for example, can be deployed throughout a city to collect real-time data on traffic, air quality, etc. This data can inform immediate urban management decisions and long-term planning strategies. Artificial Intelligence, on the other hand, can analyze large datasets collected from IoT and other sources, identifying patterns/predictions that might not be immediately obvious. These technologies can transform urban environments into smarter, more sustainable, and livable spaces.

Urban planning involves a lot of concern about the future. It aims to guide social transformations towards a positive future by using current solutions and creating a chain of events that would lead to optimal social contexts. Future opportunities do not only depend on current events or a single event between "now" and "then." Rather, they are the result of a continuous series of events or social processes that have happened in the past, are happening now, and will continue to occur in the future. City planners have to deal with a "group of activists," which includes citizens and city managers, among others.

Approach sustainability holistically and include the whole spectrum, especially social sustainability. How do we design, plan, build urban spaces that for example promote sustainable mobility, strengthen biodiversity, increase safety while also inviting people to interact with the environment and showcasing high degree of accessibility and stimulation creativity and norm critical thinking? The point is, as long as we are not thinking holistically and combine environmental, social, economic and cultural aspects of sustainability we will not be front running Urban planning development. And to combine all these perspectives you need experts as well as participatory models that allow for and welcome engagement and co-creation.

Collaborative projects represent a dynamic avenue for urban planners to engage with the latest trends in strategic thinking. An example is the collaboration between planners, environmental scientists, and public health experts to design healthy cities. Such collaborations can develop pedestrian/bicyclists-friendly urban spaces, green roofs, and urban parks, which address future sustainability trends. Another practical application is partnering with technology experts to implement smart city solutions, such as intelligent transportation systems, showcasing how interdisciplinary efforts can lead to future-ready cities. These projects demonstrate how diverse expertise can converge to solve complex urban challenges in a more adaptable way.

For me, to stay abreast of the latest trends in strategic urban planning, as urban planners we can do several things. 1st, attending industry events to access into cutting-edge insights, case studies, and networking opportunities. 2nd, collaborating with experts from diverse fields like technology, sociology, and economics to provide fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. 3rd, learning from successful urban development projects globally to get valuable lessons and benchmarks for improvement. 4th, keeping an eye on emerging technologies and future urban trends to helps anticipate challenges and opportunities. 5th, incorporating design thinking methodologies to fosters creativity and user-centric problem-solving.