Van R. Johnson II: Can a City Grow Without Losing Its Soul?

The Century of Cities welcomes Mayor Van R. Johnson II of Savannah, Georgia, as part of our special series recorded in Singapore in association with the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum and the Centre for Liveable Cities. Once marked by economic decline and a fading downtown, Savannah has reinvented itself through its history, creativity, institutions, and diverse communities. Today, it is balancing rapid growth and global attention with the needs of the people who call it home. Van explores how Savannah can balance tourism, industry, heritage, climate resilience, and inclusion while remaining a city that belongs to everyone. From building relationships across the African diaspora to learning from cities around the world, his leadership approach is grounded in a simple idea: cities are strongest when they reach outward and make room for more voices, partnerships, and possibilities.