SOUTHERN CITY Quarter 4 2022 34 The Future of Work spurred by a lack of proximate affordable housing,” NLC’s report says. It adds that increased demand for housing in already popular neighborhoods “can lead to displacement and further social racial inequality” without intervention. “This might get worse before it gets better,” said Geraghty. ▐ AMERICAN DREAM Social infrastructure to support families into the future is increasingly in demand, Geraghty said, and local governments may be able to pilot helpful programs. Indeed, NLC in its report says, “Cities are leading the way in creating or convening innovative solutions for a more resilient workforce.” Childcare and housing costs have surpassed unsustainable levels for many community members, for instance. “Entrepreneurial city leaders will begin to build new social infrastructure in this decade to meet the challenge of growing inequality and support the needs of workers,” NLC reports. ▐ CLIMATE CHANGE “This is one of the big ones,” Geraghty said, noting the next 10 years are critical for action. Municipal transportation and buildings have contributed to the climate crisis, for one. But the growing movement to “decarbonize” our cities is projected to create 25 million new jobs around the country, meaning the crisis pivoting is coming with opportunity. “City leaders really need to lead the transformation into a sustainable economy,” Geraghty said. One example of such leadership is the Town of Boone, which early this year appeared to be the first municipality in North Carolina to have shifted from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy for its municipal facilities. It gained the town government national attention. NCLM covered the story on its podcast, Municipal Equation (Episode 67), which also examined the recent NLC report on the future of work (Episode 74). Tune in at www.municipalequation.libsyn.com for more perspective on how cities are adapting to such changes. “City leaders are really in the seat to be change agents, both today and moving forward,” said Geraghty, whose reporting notes that the next 10 years in this context may shape the next 100. The full report, with additional context and recommendations, is available at www.nlc.org/america-works. continued from page 33 CONSIDERING OTHERS IN PLAY—AUTOMATION, MODERN ROBOTICS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND MORE—THE FUTURE OF WORK IS A BIG FIELD OF STUDY WITH OUTCOMES THAT OBSERVERS BELIEVE CAN BE DEFINED BY MUNICIPAL LEADERS.
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