Urban Competition: A New Route to Global Peace

Urban Competition: A New Route to Global Peace   

Cities and Communities are at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 11. This goal focuses on urban planning, affordable housing, and transport, addressing critical challenges such as climate change and disaster risk reduction. The 2016 UN Habitat III Conference emphasized the role cities play in achieving sustainable development goals, reducing inequality, and improving access to essential services.

Despite the growing recognition of smart cities within the United Nations and its specialized agencies—such as UNESCO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, ITU, IAEA — the primarily focus continues to be on collaboration with national governments, particularly in areas like security, economic and social development, education, and telecommunications. This is understandable, given that the UN is an intergovernmental organization and operates by finding consensus among often competing state interests.

However, the world is undergoing a profound transformation. Rapid urbanization and technological innovation are redefining global landscape. Today, global competition is increasingly shifting from countries to cities, which now play a critical role in driving economic growth and social progress. This shift marks a significant evolution in international relations, where cities—rather than countries—are competing for talent, investment, and innovation.

While nation-states naturally seek to expand their influence—economic, political, cultural, and military—cities have a different focus. Cities are more inward-looking, prioritizing inclusivity and fostering environments that attract people, knowledge, and capital. They strive to integrate diverse cultures, build thriving public spaces, develop modern infrastructure, and cultivate vibrant communities. In doing so, cities have emerged as key players in promoting global peace, security, and sustainable development.

The United Nations could capitalize on initiatives like the Global Alliance for ICT and Development to elevate the role of cities to the prominence they once held in history. In the Middle Ages, cities—especially through entities like the Hanseatic League—were central in fostering democracy and facilitating international trade. Today, cities have the potential to once again become dynamic competitors to states in shaping global cooperation and development.

The Rise of Urban Competition

It is in the interest of global peace to encourage healthy competition between cities. Geopolitical rivalries between states often revolve around military competition, traditionally manifesting as struggles for control over land and natural resources.

While national governments tend to focus on political strength and geopolitical dominance—often driven by expansionist ambitions—cities thrive on inclusivity, diversity, and the ability to attract global talent. Cities compete to become hubs of opportunity, not by expanding their territories but by fostering environments where talent flourishes. Their prosperity is not tied to natural resources but rather to the quality of their infrastructure, digital services, and overall livability. Cities are increasingly developing from within, aiming to become places where "digital nomads" and global citizens want to live, work, and create.

We can draw inspiration from Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement. He looked to Ancient Greece, where athletic rivalries between city-states served as substitutes for real conflicts. Just as sports competitions shifted public interest and emotion from battlefields to arenas, nurturing competition between cities can similarly channel energy toward peaceful and productive outcomes. It is far better to engage in rivalries on the sports field than in armed conflict.

The competition between cities is inherently human-centered. Unlike military competition, which often results in human suffering, city rivalries in areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare are aimed at improving people's lives. This shift—from fighting for resources and territory to building smart, sustainable environments—meets the needs of global citizens who seek peace, stability, and quality of life.

By encouraging cities to compete in creating better living conditions, we can promote a form of rivalry that enhances human well-being and fosters global peace, steering away from destructive conflicts and toward a future of shared prosperity.

Inclusivity and Diversity

One of the key strengths of cities is their diversity. Urban centers bring together people from various cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Unlike territorial conquests, this diversity is not a source of conflict but rather a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and social cohesion. Cities like New York, London, Singapore, Dubai, Paris, Vienna, and Berlin are prime examples of how diverse populations can coexist peacefully, creating vibrant cultural and economic ecosystems.

This inclusivity fosters tolerance and respect. When people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds interact daily—in offices, restaurants, cafés, markets, public transport, and schools—they begin to challenge old prejudices and stereotypes. Cities become spaces where differences are not merely tolerated but celebrated. In this way, cities serve as centers for peaceful coexistence, where linguistic, religious, or ethnic diversity is seen not as a threat, but as a source of strength.

Tools for Democracy, Peace and Development.

Smart cities are leveraging technology to address some of the most pressing challenges in urban governance and citizen engagement. These innovations enable cities to manage resources more sustainably, aligning urban development with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By integrating technologies that optimize urban operations, reduce corruption, and improve quality of life, cities are positioning themselves as global leaders in tackling issues like climate change, inequality, and sustainable development.

Through mobile apps, social media platforms, and digital forums, residents can participate in decision-making processes, provide feedback on local policies, and contribute ideas for improving city services. This participatory governance strengthens democracy at the local level, helping to advance the goals outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other key United Nations documents.

From Cooperation to Competition

The growing trend of remote work, driven by advances in communication technologies, has opened up new opportunities for cities to adapt to the needs of digital nomads and attract a mobile, highly skilled workforce.

The competition among cities to attract investors, talent, and tourists has led to the creation of better infrastructure for both work and living. This rivalry fosters improvements in public health and education, speeds up and enhances the quality of services for citizens, expands green spaces and parks, widens pavements, and extends bike routes. As a result, competition drives the overall improvement of living standards for all city inhabitants.

This type of competition should be encouraged. Unlike geopolitical rivalries, it does not involve military power or the pursuit of global dominance over territories, populations, or natural resources. The competition between cities is not about weapons or territorial disputes but about creating the most welcoming, inclusive, and innovative environments for residents. This spirit of competition makes military strength less relevant, reduces the likelihood of conflict, and fosters a sense of partnership and cooperation—much like the ethos of sports.

New metrics.

The global landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by unprecedented urbanization. As of the 21st century, over 56% of the world's population now resides in cities—a figure projected to rise to 68% by 2050. However, only around 10% of this urban population lives in "mega-cities" (those with more than 10 million inhabitants), and a similar percentage resides in cities with populations between 1 and 10 million. The vast majority of urban dwellers, in fact, live in smaller cities and towns.

Despite this, current urban development metrics and international initiatives tend to focus disproportionately on the world's largest metropolises. Platforms such as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, which facilitates the sharing of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and 100 Resilient Cities, which addresses the social, physical, and economic shocks associated with climate change and natural disasters, are largely dominated by mega-cities. Similarly, forums like the Smart City Expo World Congress that promote ideas and innovations in smart urban management, governance, and energy efficiency, and the World Association of the Major Metropolises focuses on issues like digital governance, social inclusion, and innovation are also exclusively involve the same global metropolises—cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Mexico City, and Bangkok.

This pattern is also reflected in city rankings, where the same top 100 cities consistently appear, with only minor variations in their standing. While these cities are important global players, the focus on large metropolises sidelins the vital contributions of smaller and mid-sized cities. These smaller urban centers, where the majority of the global urban population lives, are often at the forefront of innovation in sustainable living, community development, and inclusive governance. Recognizing and supporting their growth and potential is essential for truly inclusive and balanced global urban development.

Shifting to Small and Medium Cities.

To ensure global stability and equity, it is crucial not only to shift focus from states to cities but also from large metropolitan areas to small and medium-sized cities. This shift would help decentralize power and create new opportunities for growth, extending beyond the traditional dominance of nations and major urban hubs.

Many smaller and mid-sized cities have already emerged as significant centers of innovation, fostering creative solutions to challenges such as sustainability, governance, and infrastructure. It is now in the best interest of humanity to move away from concentrating development around mega-cities and instead focus on smaller urban areas. These cities have the potential to become new models for urban development, setting benchmarks in sustainable living, inclusivity, and technological integration.

Supporting the development of these smaller cities can relieve pressure on large metropolises by reducing overcrowding, mitigating resource depletion, and fostering more balanced urbanization. Furthermore, by distributing progress more evenly across regions, we can ensure that development benefits are shared equitably, preventing the deepening of inequalities between different urban areas.

This more inclusive approach to urban development not only alleviates the strain on mega-cities but also empowers smaller cities to play a leading role in the future of global urbanization, contributing to a more stable, balanced, and sustainable world.

Conference of Smart Cities and Technology Companies.

With the backing of the United Nations, this initiative could bring together mayors of small and medium-sized cities and smaller tech companies to develop affordable, scalable smart city solutions. Such conferences would foster collaboration between city authorities and the private sector, creating an ecosystem where smart technologies can be shared and tailored to fit cities of different sizes and budgets. This approach would democratize access to smart technologies, which are often dominated by wealthy metropolises and monopolized by large corporations. It ensures that small and medium-sized cities, along with smaller tech companies, are integral players in the digital revolution.

International City Competitions

The global landscape is shifting, and as part of this transformation, smaller and medium-sized cities are emerging as important players in driving innovation, sustainability, and quality of life. To harness their potential, we can organize a structured competitive framework that incentivizes these cities to lead in various fields, ranging from technology to green energy, culture, and public engagement.

To prioritize small and medium-sized cities, the Global Alliance for ICT and Development has already launched several initiatives aimed at shifting the focus to cities with populations under a million. This effort includes a rating system that offers a comprehensive evaluation of cities based on the needs of remote workers and digital nomads, ensuring smaller cities have the platform to attract global talent.

Smaller cities can compete in specific industries or sectors that align with their unique resources, heritage, or geographic advantages. These competitions will provide a stage for cities to showcase their strengths and foster healthy rivalry, spurring progress across key areas of urban development. The competition will focus on the following metrics:

Best City for Knowledge and Innovation: Measured by the number of students per capita, the presence of tech hubs, and the role of innovation centers and startup accelerators in city development.

Greenest City for Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Assessed through the adoption of green energy initiatives (such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy), climate resilience efforts, and the development of green spaces.

Most Vibrant City for Culture and Creativity: Focuses on the promotion of cultural and creative industries, arts, design, local festivals, outdoor living, and the establishment of cultural districts.

Best City for Tourism and Leisure: Evaluates tourist destination development, the organization of festivals, promotion of local cuisine and arts, and the availability of outdoor sports and leisure activities.

Most Innovative City for Public Transit and Mobility: Measured by the implementation of electric or hybrid public transit systems, biking infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly streets.

Top City for Innovation and Technology: Focuses on the presence of innovation ecosystems, startup accelerators, the availability of co-working spaces, and the impact of tech hubs on economic growth.

Best City for Sports and Outdoor Living: Assesses the hosting of international sporting events, rankings in global sports leagues, and the availability of outdoor sports infrastructure and activities.

Best City for Urban Design and Livability: Recognizes development of mixed-use neighborhoods that blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, encouraging social interaction and reducing commute times.

Most Engaged City for Citizen Participation: Measured by initiatives that involve residents in decision-making, voting on urban improvement projects, and participatory governance practices.

At the end of the competition cycle, cities will be recognized at United Nations Forums, where the best-performing cities in each category will be awarded. These awards will serve as global recognition of their achievements, encouraging further development and fostering international cooperation.

This competition can be promoted at major global forums, such as the United Nations, while media partnerships and academic involvement will help raise awareness.

An annual reporting system will track cities' progress in each category, providing them with feedback on areas of improvement. Data analytics will be employed to monitor performance, allowing cities to make data-driven decisions to guide future growth.

While the competition fosters rivalry, collaboration will be encouraged through knowledge-sharing platforms, where cities can exchange successful models and strategies. This will allow cities to learn from each other and replicate proven solutions.

By promoting these strategies, competition between small and medium-sized cities can become a powerful force that drives urban innovation, prosperity, and sustainability. Through healthy rivalry, cities can improve their infrastructure, engage their citizens, and contribute to a more balanced and peaceful global future.

Conclusion

The shift from country-centric to city-centric global competition reflects a broader transformation in how we address the challenges of the 21st century. Smart cities offer a promising pathway to a more sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future. By shifting attention not only from states to cities but also from mega-cities to smaller and medium-sized urban centers, we can foster peaceful competition, leading to a more sustainable and predictable world.