The discussion paper written by Rita Padawangi has been extracted from the discussion at FES' online regional exchange platform taken place from 22-24 June 2022. It is also enriched by existing literatures as well as other published materials on the role of cities in social-ecological transformation. The discussion covered regional issues, alternative solutions for urban development-induced social-ecological crises, as well as possibilities and challenges in building cities as places to cultivate social-ecological transformation