Transitioning closed cities to non-weapon activities is a cornerstone of current models of global security. Part of this transition includes converting and updating the city's infrastructure so that it can support alternative activities and investment by business. For example, there may be a need for new roads and transportation corridors, or for buildings that would house new industry, etc. Among other concerns is the need to insure sufficient and stable energy supplies for new activities (see Tour Stop #7).

Another issue to be considered is that in many cases the conversion of nuclear cities to non-weapons activities is taking place in the context of the larger economy undergoing transition from a controlled to a market economy. Thus there is a need to manage and support broad economic transition as well as the specific transition of the community.

Key global security objectives include: