Networked Cities
Cities are increasingly becoming global players – hubs for information, goods, and people. And they’re increasingly networked together.
Cities are increasingly becoming global players – hubs for information, goods, and people. And as Michele Acuto wrote in his essay on urban diplomacy for OpenCanada, “Mayors create their own networks, they don’t just accept invitations to join existing global governance networks.” Below, OpenCanada maps out five of those global networks. Roll over the names at the bottom of the post to see how far their reach stretches.

C40 is a network of the world’s megacities taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Mayors Council on Climate Change is an alliance of committed local government leaders concerned about climate change. They advocate for enhanced engagement of local governmental stakeholders in multilateral efforts addressing climate change and related issues of global sustainability.

Created in 1985, the Metropolis Association is represented by more than 120 members from across the world and operates as an international forum for exploring issues and concerns common to all big cities and metropolitan regions.

United Cities and Local Governments is a world advocate of democratic local self-government, promoting its values, objectives and interests, through cooperation between local governments, and within the wider international community.

ICLEI promotes local action for global sustainability and supports cities to become sustainable, resilient, resource-efficient, biodiverse, low-carbon; to build a smart infrastructure; and to develop an inclusive, green urban economy.
