<b>The new edition of the acclaimed guide to strategic decision-making in community planning, development, and collaboration</b><p>Based on the results of more than a decade of research by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change, <i>Smart Communities</i> provides directions for strategic decision-making and outlines the key strategies used by thousands of leaders who have worked to create successful communities. Outlining seven "leverage points" for decision-making used by thousands of leaders who have worked to create successful communities, this new <i>Second Edition</i> offers leaders from both the public and private sectors the tools they need to build a civic infrastructure and create a better future for all the community's citizens.</p><ul><li><i>Second Edition</i> has been thoroughly updated with current knowledge and research</li><li>Covers new developments from current design thinking and strategy literature to innovation and invention in communities</li><li>Advises on how to create community readiness that will help avert problems before they begin</li><li>All case vignettes have been revised to include more detailed information about the process and application of the seven leverage points</li><li>Examples from communities around the country illustrate how these change agents' well-structured decision-making processes can be traced to their effective use of the seven key leverage points</li></ul><p><i>Smart Communities</i> offers hope to those who are striving to improve their communities and addresses vital issues such as poverty, race relations, and children's health and welfare.</p>