Neal Peirce is the foremost writer, among American journalists, on cities and metropolitan regions  their political and economic dynamics, their emerging national and global roles. With Curtis Johnson, he has co-authored the Peirce Reports on compelling issues of metropolitan futures for leading media in 20 regions across the nation.Ê

In 1975, Neal began  and continues today  the United States first national column focused on state and local government themes. He was one of the founders and then a contributing editor of National Journal, and was active in the 60s as political editor of Congressional Quarterly.

His most recent books are Citistates: How Urban America Can Prosper in a Competitive World, and Breakthroughs: Recreating The American City.

Neal is this week's guest on "Smart City."Ê Listen Sunday, July 22, 9 a.m. on the WKNO-FM Stations or Tuesday, July 24, on 88.9 FM.Ê You can also hear "Smart City" on the Web.