A Vital City is not just livable — it’s a place where people and ideas thrive. It’s a city that works: fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and culturally vibrant. A place of both safety and ambition, where public services don’t just function efficiently but empower residents to grow, create, and succeed.
A Vital City builds trust through responsive government, sparks innovation through openness, and ensures that everyone — regardless of background — has the opportunity to live well and dream big.
The Vital Cities Project exists to explore and define what makes cities truly vital. We combine research, community voices, and global case studies to highlight the social, business, cultural, and governance foundations of thriving urban life. Our mission is to inspire better city-making by identifying practices and policies that turn livable cities into truly vital ones.
Because when a city is vital, its people don’t just survive — they flourish.
