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What 631 Cities Tell Us About the Future

A record number of cities submitted proposals to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge this year. Their ideas show where urban innovation is headed.

Cities submitted ideas to this year’s Mayors Challenge around health, economic recovery, equality and the environment. 

Cities submitted ideas to this year’s Mayors Challenge around health, economic recovery, equality and the environment. 

Illustration: DrAfter123/Digital Vision Vectors via Getty Images

By
James Anderson

When Bloomberg Philanthropies earlier this year challenged mayors from around the world to put forward their best ideas for bouncing back from the pandemic, the response was overwhelming: 631 cities from 99 countries submitted ideas, more than in any other of our Mayors Challenge competitions.

Next week, we’ll reveal our Champion Cities, representing the 50 boldest urban innovations to emerge from one of the worst-ever years. These standout cities and their solutions — selected by a panel of global experts — will then go on to compete for one of 15 $1 million prizes.