Local government changes: Monumental reform going under radar

HUMANITY has just passed a threshold that took several millennia to reach — for the first time more people live in cities than on the land. Homo sapiens are irreversibly urban — or suburban — and it is very hard to imagine that trend slowing in what we describe as normal circumstances. 

A growing world population — up from 3 billion people to something not very far short of 10bn in less than 60 years — can only add to that momentum.

This evolution means that around the world cities are expanding as never before and rural populations may be declining. That evolution has meant that urban administrative areas expand to incorporate neighbouring areas once administered by rural authorities. This see- sawing is sometimes managed well, other times not so well but it always has a profound impact on communities. Some feel empowered, others feel diminished and marginalised.