ABSTRACT
Going forward, can we plan cities based on principles of care and kindness and can the predominant neoliberal capital ethos be rescinded or its effects moderated? If care and kindness are to be the new dominant principles that influence how cities are planned, then clearly some form of radical change process is required. However, in preparing for change and diverse needs going forward, city planners face the prospect of an unknowable future. This chapter proposes four different scenarios of current and future planetary city care: business as usual, technological cities, enterprise cities and shadow cities. They are selected and critiqued as they represent alternative models currently present, which are either promoted or ignored by city thinkers and decision makers. Yet in each of them is an approach to city life, development and ways of acting on behalf of a range of city interests. Some are more reflective of humanitarian, others economic priorities, each exhibiting very different degrees of recognition of care. Given all the challenges cities face, is there hope? The city and all it represents is at the heart of planning. Good cities are the way forward, they are achievable but most of all they are essential for ensuring future planetary well-being.
