Why American Cities Are Changing: What Greensboro Can Teach Us About Growth | Locked In

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Why are American cities changing?

From rising property taxes and housing costs to artificial intelligence, economic development, and declining public trust in institutions, local leaders across the country are being asked to solve increasingly complex problems. While every city has its own story, many are wrestling with the same fundamental questions about growth, affordability, infrastructure, and the future of public leadership.

In this episode of Locked In with Algenon Cash, Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem Denise Turner Roth joins the conversation to explore these questions through the lens of one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing cities.

Together, we explore what it means to govern during a period of rapid transformation. The conversation examines Greensboro’s recent property tax increase and the difficult balance between investing in public services while addressing affordability concerns. We discuss how cities compete for economic development in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and data centers, the opportunities and tradeoffs that accompany growth, and the challenge of preparing communities for an economy that is changing faster than government itself.

We also examine how social media has transformed the relationship between elected officials and the public, the opportunities and challenges of serving on a relatively new City Council, and why downtown revitalization remains central to Greensboro’s long-term vision.

Although this conversation is rooted in Greensboro, its themes extend far beyond North Carolina. Whether you live in a large metropolitan area or a growing small city, the questions explored in this episode are becoming increasingly relevant across the United States.

If you’re interested in the future of American cities, economic development, local government, public policy, urban planning, leadership, housing affordability, or the forces shaping communities across the country, this episode offers a thoughtful, long-form conversation about where America’s cities are headed—and what today’s decisions may mean for the next generation.