Urbanization is changing the social fabric of countries, forcing a rethinking of relationships between national and local governments, and creating new power centers outside of the traditional political hierarchy. This shift demands a new look at urban planning strategies that address infrastructure, lifestyles, welfare needs, employment, housing, health care, food, shelter, water, and basic social interactions.

In March 2010, the Center convened its second seminar of city mayors and other high-level government leaders, planning officials, and urban specialists to discuss the growing challenges to urban governance. This seminar examined how urban centers and metropolitan regions are adapting to current economic realities while simultaneously preparing for future growth. This was the second seminar in the Asia-Pacific-U.S. Urban Dialogue program; the first (Urban Asia: Challenges of Transition and Governance) was organized in August 2008 and the program name has been changed to better reflect the breadth and purpose of the program.

Urbanization Policy in an Uncertain Economy, provides a summary of the group's discussions. The report consists of the views of individual participants, but to facilitate uninhibited discussion, it adheres to the Chatham House Rule in not attributing these to particular contributors. The report is both a record of a rich seminar and helps inform a broader public of the participants' views.