Cities at the heart of European Competitiveness: Reindustrialisation and Proximity Planning

Cities are key to aligning economic growth and climate goals. This session explores how mayors from Barcelona, Milan, and Manchester are driving reindustrialisation and proximity planning to build competitive, climate-neutral urban economies. We’ll discuss how cities can contribute to the upcoming EU Clean Industrial Deal, foster innovation, create jobs, and ensure their work spearhead national and EU policies for a sustainable future.
Leadership in Action: Crafting Safe and Tech-Forward Cities

Can new technologies help build resilient, secure, and forward-thinking urban environments? How can local leaders spearhead this technological revolution? Strategic governance is essential for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tech into city life while ensuring robust security frameworks. As policymakers are pivotal in fostering innovation, safeguarding digital infrastructure, and protecting citizen data, this high-level roundtable will debate how effective governance can create innovative, secure, and vibrant cities for the future.
Urban Technologies Shaping the City’s Skylines

How are the latest technological advances transforming the way we build and inhabit our cities? The impact of technologies like Digital Twins, IoT, AI, and advanced construction techniques on the urban environment is undeniable. These innovations are revolutionizing urban planning, construction, and infrastructure usage, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. It is vital to harness these technologies to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and tech-forward.
Redefining Livability for the Citizens of Tomorrow

City governments must strive to leave no one behind. As global inequalities intensify, cities have the potential to become sanctuaries where all citizens are given equal opportunities. This starts with forward-thinking, bold, and decisive policy planning and implementation. By harnessing the power of community engagement, accessible technologies, and sustainable development, cities can evolve to meet their residents’ diverse needs and foster a sense of belonging for all citizens.
Utopias, Dystopias, or UStopias: Whose Imagination are we Living in?

In this talk, Ruha Benjamin takes us into the liberating power of the imagination. Deadly systems all emerged from the human imagination, and have real-world, often deadly impacts. To fight harmful systems and create a world in which everyone can thrive, we will have to imagine things differently.
How Do Urban Resilience and Talent Retention Connect?

Decades of government and philanthropic policies have facilitated economically stagnant zones where people measure their success by how far they get away. This talent-extraction paradigm makes them far more vulnerable to real estate speculation and displacement, and removes individuals with spending power, day to day examples of success, and the investment and financial acumen needed to build local economies.
Next-Gen Tech Leading the New Urban Era

Cities are embracing the transformative potential of cutting-edge technology. Innovations in AI, IoT, data analysis, and connectivity are already transforming urban areas into smarter, more efficient, and more inclusive environments. The key to success lies in leveraging these technologies to empower thriving cities, creating innovative, resilient, and citizen-centric urban hubs. How can urban leaders implement these technologies seamlessly into the day-to-day of cities to take advantage of all their potential?
Energy Innovation Solution for the Future of Humanity: Smart Net-zero City

‘SMR Smart Net Zero City’ is a city that achieves sustainable development and carbon neutrality by utilizing SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and renewable energy. SMRs and renewable energy supply systems can provide all the energy required by a city, including electricity, heat, and hydrogen, at an economical price. This system not only contributes to economic growth and job creation but also helps the city achieve carbon neutrality.
Eco-Urbanism: Responding to a Changing Climate

Cities are increasingly experiencing the direct and indirect consequences of the climate emergency. Simultaneously, they are hubs of innovation that can enhance their resilience and foster healthier, more sustainable environments through sustainable urban planning strategies. By integrating green spaces, eco-friendly infrastructure, and renewable energy, cities are reducing carbon footprints and promoting biodiversity. How can they further leverage these strategies to combat climate change?
Driving Change: The Role of Vehicle Fleets in the Sustainable Mobility Transition

The successful deployment of zero-emission technologies, both at vehicle and infrastructure level, heavily depend on their adoptions by private and public vehicle fleets. This panel will reflect on the importance of fleets to accelerate the adoption of cleaner forms of mobility and will explore the role of fleets in supporting transformational mobility innovations.