Downtowns are more than economic hubs— they are the civic, social and cultural hearts of our cities and regions.
Our post-pandemic world, however, has changed how people interact with downtowns and urban centers. Many areas that were once bustling with people and businesses have shuttered with the emergence of work-from-home or hybrid work policies and the increased availability of online services and e-commerce. While some cities are bouncing back and redefining themselves for a new era, many uncertainties remain in charting the course to foster truly thriving, vibrant, and welcoming downtowns for all.
Last week, Christopher Beynon, AICP, MIG Vice President and Chief Development Officer and International Downtown Association (IDA) Board Member, attended the IDA 2025 World Towns Leadership Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The annual gathering brought together leaders of Urban Place Management Organizations (UMPOs) from around the world to discuss the unique challenges that city centers face and work together to find solutions to move forward. Previous summits have taken place in cities such as Stockholm, Tokyo, Malmo/Copenhagen, Edinburgh, and Berlin.
In partnership with IDA President and CEO David Downey and IDA Board Chair Kris Larson, Chris facilitated interactive discussions with leaders from South Africa, Japan, Ireland, England, Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United States. Sessions focused on the social and economic issues downtowns are facing in a shifting global landscape, as well as UMPOs’ increasing importance in “filling the gaps” between the public and private sectors to ensure future prosperity in urban centers around the world.
Ultimately, the group built the foundation for a Global Declaration Framework that will outline the value, role, responsibilities and opportunities UMPOs can deliver to communities of all sizes across the globe. Leaders are now refining the Framework with the goal of bringing a draft to the IDA Board in early May for further confirmation.
As longtime members of IDA, MIG is honored to be able to participate in this unique thought leadership space. We thank IDA and the local host organizations Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), Voortrekker Road CID, and The Greater Tygerberg Partnership for another amazing World Towns Leadership Summit!