The ‘learning region’ discourse emerged from the debates of the neoliberal views of socio-economic and cultural change. These views stressed the overall trends of globalisation which had to transform the traditional economic, social and cultural institutions. In opposition of these views, the ‘learning region’ discourse pointed out the importance of locality.

This special issue of Urban Solutions focuses on the World Cities Summit in June 2014 and its theme "liveable and Sustainable Cities: Common challenges, shared Solutions".

The Summit is where cities will look at the state of urban challenges today and identify principles of shared solutions applicable to cities spanning the range of development, socio-economic and political contexts.