Building resilient plans No one can predict the future with accuracy. We can, however, examine a range of plausible futures — and understand how changing conditions might affect the systems that shape our lives — to make our plans more resilient in the face of uncertainty. That’s why the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is leading a strategic foresight process as part of developing The Century Plan. Together with regional experts representing a breadth of expertise and experiences, CMAP is thinking systematically and asking “what if?” questions about the forces that have the potential to dramatically impact life decades in the future. The outcomes of this process aren’t predictions. They’re a framework for evaluating risk, testing assumptions, and building resiliency based on a systematic process of examining information about the future. Change on the horizon Horizon scanning is a practice surfaces events and conditions that have the potential to impact the future of the region. These drivers of change are slow moving, deep forces that unfold over a long period of time and are supported by ample evidence. Many of them are already emerging today. Their impacts are difficult to predict but expected to be significant — especially on the infrastructure, systems, and services that shape our region’s quality of life. Rapid tech advancements Every sector will transform as technology becomes more woven into all daily activity. Diversifying the region Growing multiculturalism will increase social and cultural complexity, as well as the need to equitably provide services for diverse communities. Aging populations Large numbers of retired older adults will impact housing and transportation needs, as well as the tax base that supports services. Economic fragility Increased economic pressures will continue to challenge the region’s ability to maintain a high quality of life and pay for infrastructure investments. Global geopolitical unrest Conflict across the world will be felt at home in the form of economic and supply chain disruptions, shifts in investment, and changing migration patterns. Global migration High levels of human movement can strain housing and infrastructure, but also bring cultural diversity and new economic contributions. Environmental precarity Extreme weather events will impact the essentials — food, housing, transportation, and the economy — as well as people’s health related to extreme heat and air quality. The polycrisis The interrelated nature of our systems will be a challenge in itself. Individual crises will be amplified to multiple crises at different scales, impacting a diverse set of sectors and stakeholders. Learn more in Future Ready? A future scan of contextual issues for northeastern Illinois — a report developed by KerrSmith Designs to support The Century Plan. Future Ready? executive summary Future Ready? full report Learn how this connects to the Grand Challenges