Day 2: October 8

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | WRLDCTY Global Forum @ The Annex Theatre.
Welcome to Vancouver, the traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

THE DESTINATION CITY: Power in Partnerships
Royce Chwin, President & CEO, Destination Vancouver
What does it mean for a city to be a destination—not just for tourists, but for talent, investment, and civic life? Royce Chwin opens WRLDCTY with a case for cross-sector collaboration as a catalyst for place-based identity, economic resilience, and global positioning. A welcome to Vancouver, and a provocation for what it takes to activate a city’s full potential.

THE AGE OF ARENA DISTRICTS: Can They Change the Game for Downtowns?
Jonathan Maille, Managing Director, Americas, POPULOUS
Chris Fair, CEO, Resonance
Arena districts are redefining the role of major venues in urban ecosystems - becoming forces of opportunity for downtown revitalization that shape future-forward neighbourhoods, accelerate inclusive growth and build economic resilience - beyond the stadium. Populous shares how giant projects make impacts - both big, and small.

RECONCILIATION CITY: Breaking Rules to Repair and Reimagine
Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Principal, Ginger Gosnell-Myers Consulting
Vancouver was the first city in Canada to unveil a Reconciliation City plan and commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). As one of the lead architects of the plan, Ginger will walk us through how the city learned to break its own rules and rewrite a more prosperous urban future through deeper collaboration with, and leadership from, Indigenous communities.

PLANETARY URBANISM: Civic Imagination for an Urgent Future
Ilana Lipsett, Co-founder, Civic Foresight Project
We need imagination at scale, an abundance mindset, and a penchant for action. Ilana shows us how speculative thinking and creative methodologies are being used today to shape systems for tomorrow. It’s time to go beyond human-centred design. Here’s what that might look like …

AMBITIOUS CITIES: Lessons from Urban Moon Shots
Steven Cornwell, Global Brand Director, ERA-CO
Ghigo DiTommaso, Partner, Gehl
Emiliano Espasandin, Founder, PALO Arq.
In a risk-averse world, bold urban transformation demands courage, coalition, and conviction. This session dives into what it really takes to deliver ambitious city-building projects—from embracing calculated risk to forging unconventional partnerships and sustaining collective will. With global case studies and firsthand insights, our speakers unpack how big ideas survive politics, inertia, and complexity to reshape the urban future.

LIVABLE FOR WHO? Countering Displacement
Becky Zimmermann, President & CEO, DESIGNWORKSHOP
As urban reinvestment accelerates, the question isn’t whether cities will change—but who they change for. This session outlines emerging approaches in design, development, and governance that move beyond placemaking toward placekeeping, aiming to reduce displacement and cultivate lasting belonging.

WOMEN CHANGING CITIES: Global Stories of Transformation & Leadership
Melissa Bruntlett, Author & Director, Modacity Creative
Chris Bruntlett, Author & International Relations Manager, Dutch Cycling Embassy
Cities around the world are reimagining their streets and public spaces, transforming them into places for enjoyment and spending time instead of simply for moving through. As more cities, businesses, and local advocates search for the perfect recipe for urban vitality in their communities, a number of cities are leading the way. (hint: they have something in common …)

LONGEVITY CITIES: Playing and Aging from 0-99
Gary Gaston, CEO, Civic Design Center
Raj Ahuja, Longevity Cities Fellow
Melissa Higgs, Principal, hcma
Cities that support thriving childhoods and dignified aging are often the most liveable for everyone. This session explores how lifecycle-based design, social infrastructure, and intergenerational policy can foster well-being across every stage of life.

GROWING UP: Does Vertical Density Mean Sacrificing Livability?
Ashley Bauman, Founder, Beyond the Buildings
As vertical living becomes the new norm, cities must rethink the mechanics of everyday life in towers. This discussion considers the design choices, investments, amenities and social strategies that can ensure high-density environments are not only efficient - but meaningfully livable. (hint: it's about community)

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Are Cities Killing Our Humanity? Rebuilding Trust and Connection
Charles Montgomery, Author & Urbanist, Happy Cities
Trust is infrastructure. Drawing from a decade of global research, Charles Montgomery examines how - as city-builders - we can either fracture—or fortify—social cohesion, public happiness, and human flourishing in the modern city. Here's how we can all do better.

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Networking Reception @ The WRLDCTY Lounge

7:00 PM | WRLDCTY After Dark!
Party and see the city from new heights!
Hosted by Hudson Pacific Properties