Cities play a special role in creating inclusive prosperity because they are the main engines of economic activity, possessing the agility and skills base to respond to new market opportunities. Inclusive cities nurture people’s skills, creating an environment that expands opportunities for everyone regardless of status. They also attract talent with their infrastructure, competitive market conditions, collaborative opportunities, and lifestyle possibilities.
Additionally, cities are major drivers of policy, acting as test cases for economic and social programmes. Other cities can learn from successful cases and improve their own practice across areas such as skill levels, corporate governance, macroeconomic coordination, wage growth, and technological innovation (e.g. the smart city).