Trend Category

Politics and Geopolitical Dynamics

Political and geopolitical trends shape and are shaped by changes across the societal landscape, the acceleration of political polarization, and emerging global challenges.

Trends to Act on Now

New Intersectional Local Government Positions

To bolster collaboration and work more effectively, some local governments are establishing novel staff roles with specific objectives.

State Preemption of Local Action

Attempts to override local policies by state legislatures are growing across the U.S. and are affecting a number of sectors.

Removal of Controversial Symbols

Cities are reevaluating controversial symbols and pushing for inclusive public spaces that better reflect historically underserved communities’ histories.

Political Polarization

Increasing political polarization challenges planners to navigate fragmented communities and adapt strategies for more inclusive and effective participation.

Displacement and Migration

Global displacement is rising sharply, and planners must help communities integrate immigrants while adapting to political shifts and growing local...

Geopolitics of Clean Energy

As the world shifts to clean energy, planners have important roles to play in the local implementation of sustainable energy...

Reparations Programs

Cities are exploring reparations to address historic injustices; planners should assess their impacts and confront exclusionary planning legacies.

DELETE Public Distrust

The mainstreaming of conspiracy theories, along with the widespread reach of an array of social media platforms, are leading to...

Politics and Policies Shaping Population Movement

Growing political partisanship is increasingly shaping where people choose to live or travel.

Politics Moves into Health Care

Various aspects of health care can become political, though abortion is often the most divisive.

Trends to Prepare For

Deglobalization and Regionalization

A global trend toward deglobalization is impacting economies locally and internationally with cascading effects in other sectors.

Tech as a Geopolitical Tool

Technology and social media can have a variety of applications in political contexts that planners should be aware of.

DELETE Universal basic income pilots

There is a growing interest in universal basic income across the U.S. Many cities — fromBirmingham, Alabama, to Phoenix— are...

Critical Material Access Tension

Tensions are growing over control of and access to critical materials, with significant global and local implications.

Engaging Future Generations

The interests of future generations are increasingly being incorporated into current planning and policy agendas.

Trends to Learn About and Watch

Rematriation

Indigenous populations are reestablishing connections with their ancestral lands through a range of approaches, including land taxes and the return...

DELETE Uncertain government motivations

Major decisions by the U.S. Supreme Courtin 2022created a source of uncertainty and exacerbated ongoing political polarization. In June, the...

DELETE Space-based governance

The space race in the private sector is allowing for the industry to mature beyond just a few key players....

Trend Reports

APA's foresight research is made possible in part through our partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

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