ABSTRACT:Communities find it difficult to set their agendas and act, hamstrung by fragmentation, internal division and incrementalism Yet in rapidly changing environments, localities can ill‐afford to let nature take its course. As a consequence a number of communities have turned to goal‐setting. This paper examines community goal setting as a strategy of change. Three types of goals projects are identified the American Assembly Process, Anticipatory Democracy, and Strategic Planning. In considering their strengths and weaknesses, we ask(1) Who initiates the process for what purpose? (2) What problems are encountered? and (3) Is the public interest being served? Goal‐setting, while not a replacement for government, can serve as a useful strategy to aid cities in trans