The burden for taking the lead toward a new, citizen-based collaborative effort must rest largely with private citizens. We are in a transition to a new leadership culture where citizens insist on having a place at the table. Thus, the table gets larger and rounder, with enough space for everyone who wants to participate. The only thing more challenging than a crisis may be its absence. Complacency may lead to unattended problems.
Smart regions solve problems before they loom large.
The agenda gets tougher. Revitalization of downtown areas is easy compared to such issues as improving the lives of people caught in cycles of poverty and hopelessness. More than governance structure, it is relationships between people that get things done. No one's excused. Universities, professionals, religious communities and the media are top candidates to enrich the community-leadership mix.