A. Lifeline infrastructure (the city must keep these running)

  1. Water system

  • Source & supply (reservoirs, groundwater, treatment)

  • Distribution (pipes, pressure zones, meters)

  • Wastewater (sewers, treatment plants)

  • Stormwater / drainage (flood control, green infrastructure)

  1. Energy & fuel

  • Electric grid (generation access, transmission, distribution)

  • Gas system / heating fuels

  • District energy (where used)

  • Backup power, microgrids, critical-facility power

  1. Transportation & mobility

  • Streets/bridges/tunnels, traffic ops, parking

  • Public transit (bus/rail/BRT), paratransit

  • Walking & cycling networks, micromobility

  • Freight & logistics (truck routes, loading zones)

  • Ports / airports / intercity rail (where applicable)

  1. Digital & communications

  • Broadband/fiber, mobile networks, public Wi-Fi

  • City IT systems, data platforms, cybersecurity

  • 311/CRM service channels, digital identity/access

  • Sensors/IoT (signals, utilities, environment)

  1. Solid waste & materials

  • Collection (residential, commercial)

  • Transfer stations, recycling, composting

  • Landfills/incineration (often regional)

  • Hazardous waste, e-waste, construction debris

  1. Buildings & public facilities

  • Public buildings (schools, libraries, hospitals, offices)

  • Facility maintenance, capital renewal

  • Building safety systems, elevators, inspections

B. Built environment & land (what the city physically is)

  1. Land use, planning & development

  • Zoning, permits, design review

  • Urban design, public realm standards

  • Development approvals, impact fees, negotiations

  1. Housing system

  • Housing supply pipeline (new builds, rehab)

  • Affordability programs, vouchers, inclusionary housing

  • Tenant protections, code enforcement

  • Homelessness response & supportive housing

C. People systems (human development + daily life)

  1. Public health & healthcare

  • Clinics/hospitals (often mixed public/private)

  • Disease prevention, inspections, sanitation

  • Mental health and substance-use services

  1. Education & learning

  • Early childhood

  • K-12 (public schools), special education

  • Higher education partnerships

  • Libraries, lifelong learning

  1. Workforce & human services

  • Job training, placement, small business support links

  • Cash/food assistance administration (varies by country)

  • Child protection, family services, disability services

  1. Culture, recreation, hospitality & tourism

  • Parks & recreation centers, sports facilities

  • Arts/culture institutions, permits for events

  • Visitor services, destination marketing

  • Nightlife management, public space activation

D. Safety, justice & rule of law (public order + rights)

  1. Public safety

  • Policing

  • Fire & rescue

  • EMS/ambulance coordination

  • Traffic safety, violence prevention

  1. Justice system (varies by governance structure)

  • Courts, prosecution/defense services

  • Corrections (jails/prisons), probation/parole

  • Legal aid, victim services

  • Reentry services (housing/jobs support)

  1. Emergency management & security

  • Disaster preparedness (floods, quakes, storms)

  • Incident command, shelters, continuity of operations

  • Critical infrastructure protection

E. Economy & city “production”

  1. Local economy & industry

  • Business licensing, commercial districts

  • Investment attraction, innovation ecosystems

  • Informal economy support (where relevant)

  • Sector strategies (manufacturing, creative, tech, etc.)

  1. Food system (your agriculture/food supply item)

  • Production (regional farms, urban ag)

  • Processing, cold chain, distribution

  • Markets/retail, restaurants

  • Food safety inspections

  • Food access (food deserts), emergency food

  • Food waste recovery/compost

F. Environment, climate & shared commons

  1. Environmental quality

  • Air quality monitoring, noise control

  • Waterway protection, brownfield remediation

  • Urban heat mitigation, tree canopy

  1. Nature & public space

  • Parks, waterfronts, greenways

  • Street trees, habitat corridors

  • Plazas, civic spaces, maintenance

  1. Climate resilience & sustainability

  • Emissions reduction (buildings, transport, waste)

  • Adaptation (flood, heat, drought)

  • Insurance/risk financing strategies, resilience standards

G. Governance, finance & the “operating system”

  1. Governance & civic administration

  • Mayor/council, agencies, intergovernment coordination

  • Elections, civic participation, community boards

  • Transparency, open data, records

  1. Finance & procurement

  • Budgeting, revenue (tax/fees), bonds

  • Procurement, contracting, vendor management

  • Asset management, audits, anti-corruption controls

  1. Regulation & standards

  • Building codes, health codes, business regulation

  • Labor standards enforcement (where city-led)

  • Permitting and inspections across domains