Oct. 8 - 10, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain
Live in person and free virtually around the world!
The next WRLDCTY Forum will be held in partnership with Bilbao Metropoli30 and The Bay Awards.
Attend in person or virtually for free.
Lamia El Aaraje
Deputy Mayor, Urban Planning & Architecture, Greater Paris
Lana Abdelhameed
Director, Centre for the Planet Programme, Expo City Dubai
Rana Amirtahmasebi
Author & Urban Policy Specialist
Asier Aranbarri
Director of Social Innovation, Basque Government
Zoe Baldwin
Vice President for State Programs, Regional Plan Association
Jeremy Bamberg
Co-Founder, Factory
Christian Bason
Author & Advisor
Nourhan Bassam
Founding Director, The Gendered City
Ainara Basurko
Deputy for Economic Promotion. Regional Government of Biscay
Jorick Beijer
Urbanist & Director, Blossity
Claire Flurin Bellec
Author & Urban Revitalization Expert
Shradha Biyani
Founder & Director, Tashi Press
Hélène Chartier
Director, Urban Planning and Design at C40
Karen Christensen
CEO, Berkshire Publishing & Co-author, The Great Good Place
Greg Clark
Writer, Chair, & Advisor on Cities
Tiffany Crawford
Co-Chief Heat Officer & Director of Climate Change
Kelsea Crawford
Co-founder & CEO, Cutwork
Mike Day
Co-founder & Partner, Urban Solutions, Hatch
Charlotte Dégoulet
Urban Planner & Former EMEA Lead, JLL
Illac Angelo Diaz
Founder & Global Director, Liter of Light
Oscar Escobar
Former Mayor, Palmira
Chris Fair
WRLDCTY Founder & CEO, Resonance
Mark Farrow
Director of Strategy & Planning, Places for London
Gabriella Gómez-Mont
Founder and CEO of Experimentalista
Antonio Gomez-Palacio
Partner & Chair, DIALOG
Kate Hart
Chief Executive, EC BID, London
Lucinda Hartley
Urban Futurist
Ina Homeier
Smart Climate City Strategy, Vienna
Sophie Howe
Future Generations Activist
Peter Hyland
International Advisor, Urban Planning & Development
Sarah Ichioka
Urbanist, Strategist, Curator, & Author
Clare Inkster
Human Curiosity & Insight Consultant
Eider Inunciaga
Councillor, Basque Language & Citizen Participation, Bilbao City Council
Jaime J. Izurieta
Founder & Chief Creative, Storefront Mastery
Hans Karssenberg
Partner, Founder & Public Developer, Stipo
Geci Karuri-Sebina
Associate Professor, Wits School of Governance
Bruce Katz
Author & Co-Founder of New Localism Advisors
Dr Inhee Kim
Director, Research Planning and Coordination, Seoul Institute (SI)
Michael Koh
Executive Fellow, Centre for Liveable Cities
Dr Anne Kovachevich
National Sustainable Buildings & Precincts Lead, Mott MacDonald
Daria (Dasha) Krivonos
CEO, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies
Tommi Laitio
Urban Strategist & Founder, Convivencia Urbana
Charles Landry
Imagination & Creativity in Urban Change
Oliver Lang
CEO & Co-Founder, Intelligent City
Erin Lee
Founder, Mindful Moments, Singapore
Kate D. Levin
Principal, Bloomberg Associates
Klaus Klaas Loenhart
Founder of terrain: integral designs
Johannes Lutter
Head of International Relations, Urban Innovation Vienna
Debbie McNamara
Chief Executive Officer, Economic Development Queensland
Mirik Milan
Cofounder, VibeLab
David Miller
Managing Director, C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy
Neo Mogodi
Key Communications Lead, Social Employment Fund
Dr Tim Moonen
Co-Founder & Managing Director, The Business of Cities
Carlos Moreno
Author & Urbanist
Isabella Muñoz
Director of Knowledge Management, Secretariat for Women in Bogotá
Sandhya Naidu
Founder, Community Design Agency
Vivek Narain
Founder & CEO, The Quorum Club
Farah Naz
Director of ESG and Innovation
Larry Ng Lh
Former Managing Director of World Cities Summit
Margaret O’Connor
Chairperson, Launch Africa
Paul Owens
Co-founder & Director, BOP Consulting
Jasmine Palardy
Partner, The Good Future Co.
Steven Pedigo
Director, Lyndon B. Johnson School Urban Lab
Kate Philip
Programme Lead, Presidential Employment Stimulus, Presidency, South Africa
Idoia Postigo
General Director, Bilbao Metropoli 30
Michel Poulain
Initiator of the concept of Blue Zones', Professor, UCLouvain (Belgium) & Tallinn University (Estonia)
Francisco Purroy
Director, Land Life Iberia
Asier Abaunza Robles
Councillor, Bilbao City Council
Anthony Ryan
CEO, Brisbane Economic Development Agency
Feletcia Saleh
Community Engagement Unit, Ramallah Municipality
Carmen Santana
Architect
Alex Sarian
President & CEO, Arts Commons
Tara Heuzé Sarmin
Co-founder, Communes
Gregorio Lucena Scarpella
Director, GCDN
Jason Schupbach
Author & Dean, Antoinette Westphal College, Drexel University
Elinor Seath
Ramsgate Cultural Consortium Co-ordinator
Matthew Singleton
COO, Odonata Foundation
Raynuha Sinnathamby
Chief Executive Officer, Springfield Land Corporation
Anya Sirota
Principal, Akoaki
Helle Søholt
CEO, Gehl & Chairperson of the Board, BLOXHUB
Elaine Tan
Director-Research, CLC Singapore
Kate Thompson
President & CEO, CMLC
Latika Thukral
Co-founder, iamgurgaon
Maria Vassilakou
Founder, Vienna Solutions
Sebastien Vauzelle
Head of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat
Simón Arango Velásquez
Leader Smart Cities
Rosanna Vitiello
Creative Director, The Place Bureau
Stephen D. Willacy
Architect & Urban Advisor
Anupam Yog
Managing Partner, XDG Labs
All times Central European Time (CET)
The revitalisation process of Metropolitan Bilbao: Long-term vision and public-private cooperation
Mikel Ortuzar and José Mari Ortuzar, Regional Government of Biscay
Future infrastructure projects of the region: The Underwater Tunnels
Networking Coffee Break
Travel to Zorrozaurre Island
Asier Abaunza, Councilor of Urban Planning, Strategic Projects and Public Spaces, Bilbao City Council
The main strategic projects of Bilbao: The past and the future
A guided visit organized by Zorrozaurre Art Work in Progress (ZAWP) to the cultural and creative initiatives in Bilbao’s fast-transitioning Zorrozaurre Island.
Lunch
Travel to Bilbao Bizkaia Water Utility – Siphon Access
A walking tour of the Bilbao Siphon with Nerea Landaburu with Nerea Landaburu, Deputy director of Water Supply Projects & Works, Bilbao Bizkaia Water Utility
The process of cleaning up the estuary: A strategic project for metropolitan sustainability
How culture can transform a city: The Guggenheim Bilbao effect
Guggenheim Bilbao Museum visit
End of the Learning Journey day
Join WRLDCTY founder and Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair and Bilbao Metropoli-30 Association Director Idioa Postigo as they welcome the world to Bilbao for The Bay Awards and WRLDCTY 2024. Members of the Bilbao City Council, Regional Government, and Basque Government will highlight the significance of urban innovation and collaboration in shaping Bilbao’s future.
Renowned urban innovator Charles Landry explores how crises and urgent situations can catalyze transformative thinking and innovative solutions. Discover the power of mindset shifts and how embracing urgency can unlock creative potential to drive meaningful change in communities and organizations.
Idoia Postigo shares her insights on the necessity of an urban revolution for creating vibrant, equitable, and thriving communities. Learn about the importance of “Aurrera!”—a Basque term for “forward”—and how it drives unstoppable momentum in urban development.
Urbanist and author Greg Clark explores the essential components needed to ignite an urban revolution. From transformative strategies to groundbreaking innovations, Clark will share insights on reimagining our cities for a sustainable future.
Michael Koh moderates a debate with representatives of the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, discussing outstanding examples of resilience and regeneration strategies. Learn about holistic city transformations over the past two decades.
Sophie Howe and Geci Karuri-Sebina host a debate with finalists of the Horizon Shapers Award, showcasing initiatives with long-term, strategic visions for urban futures. Discover transformative projects like Regenerative Slum Redevelopment in India, Dementia-Friendly Neighborhoods in Singapore, and Dismantling Gendered Cities One City at a Time in Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Bogota.
Join Charles Landry and Larry NG LH for an engaging debate with finalists of the Prosperity Catalyst Award, honouring projects that excel in generating community prosperity and social cohesion. Highlighted initiatives include Paths to Prosperity in Buffalo, Places for London: Development & Partnership for Growth, and Social Employment: Work for the Common Good in South Africa. Discover how these exemplary projects are driving meaningful change and fostering inclusive development.
Maria Vassilakou, the visionary founder of Vienna Solutions, delivers an inspiring keynote on pioneering solutions and strategies that are transforming urban landscapes. Gain insights from her extensive experience in shaping sustainable and vibrant cities.
Hélène Chartier and Lamia El Aaraje discuss the cutting-edge urban planning strategies shaping Paris. Learn about the city’s approach to resilience, inclusivity, and future-readiness and how these strategies can be applied globally.
Explore the “World’s Next Cities” and uncover the game-changing forces reshaping urban landscapes. From Copenhagen’s bold innovations to transformative projects across the globe, this panel will reveal how signature developments are driving economic growth and sparking new waves of innovation. Discover the unique approaches cities must adopt to navigate future risks and opportunities, ultimately crafting sustainable, resilient hubs ready to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Prepare to reimagine the future of urban living.
Farah Naz and Carmen Santana host a dynamic debate with finalists of the SDG Champions Award, celebrating initiatives that effectively implement the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. Explore impactful projects like Bogotá’s Commitment to Women and Care and the Largest Youth-Led Climate Action in the Philippines.
Greg Clark hosts a debate with the finalists of the Urban Pioneers Award, recognizing the world’s leading urban strategies. This award highlights cities that have set global benchmarks with proven models of success. Finalists include Vienna’s Smart Climate City Strategy, Curitiba’s Innovative Public Spaces, and Melbourne’s Commitment to a Walkable, Mixed-Use City Center. Discover how these pioneering initiatives are shaping the future of urban excellence.
Christian Bason and Gabrielle Gomez-Mont showcase global projects exemplifying successful public-private collaborations. Finalists include Detroit’s Cultural District, the Peace and Opportunities Strategy in Palmira, Colombia, and Active Aging Initiatives in Ramallah, Palestine. Explore how these collaborations are driving meaningful improvements in their communities that need it most.
Join us as we transition to the WRLDCTY Virtual Global Stage, reflecting on the day’s insights and preparing for continued learning and inspiration.
Chris Fair sits down with Carlos Moreno, the visionary urban planner behind the “15-Minute City” concept, for a compelling discussion on how cities can be transformed to offer all essential services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. Learn about the origins, challenges, and future of this revolutionary idea that reshaped urban planning during the pandemic. Discover its social and environmental benefits and explore real-world examples of cities embracing this model to create sustainable, community-driven environments for the future.
Steven Pedigo and Karen Christensen discuss the powerful connection between prosperity and the “Third Place”—a communal space where people gather. Gain insights into fostering community prosperity through inclusive and engaging public spaces.
In a world of hybrid work and mobile talent, cities are competing for bright minds. Today, talent is drawn to cities where they can make an impact and turn creativity into business. What kind of urbanism makes young people want to live, work, play and stay? Join thought leaders Jorick Beijer and Jeremy Bamberg as they explore what mayors can do to put the right urban innovation strategy in place.
Claire Flurin Bellec moderates a 100% female panel focused on the environmental and social transformation of the real estate industry. This session will cover the entire spectrum, from design to investment, development, and operations. Charlotte Dégoulet will discuss sustainable investment strategies. Tara Heuzé Sarmini will highlight inclusive, community-focused housing solutions. Kelsea Crawford will advocate for adaptable urban design. These leaders bring unique and diverse perspectives to the stage.
Join Jasmine, Jamie and Hans as they explore the pivotal role of storefronts in shaping vibrant, resilient towns. They’ll discuss how these humble spaces serve as powerful anchors for community and economic vitality. Discover actionable strategies to revitalize vacant storefronts and foster strong, thriving communities.
Michel Poulain, Initiator of the concept of Blue Zones, reveals the secrets of the world’s longest-living communities, and mindfulness coach Erin Lee shares how mental well-being drives longevity. Discover how Singapore became the first urban Blue Zone, boasting one of the best aging ratios globally through holistic practices and innovative urban design, and learn practical ways to infuse Blue Zone principles into your own community.
Explore Gurgaon’s urban transformation from a sleepy suburb on the fringe of India’s national capital, Delhi, to the thriving metropolis it is now. Gurgaon’s unique journey offers lessons that our panel examines as India sets a new agenda for liveable and sustainable cities alongside its rapid economic development.
With significant investments in a new convention centre, event centre and cultural campus, Calgary is making bold moves. This session digs into the city’s ambitious downtown strategy and will explore how Calgary’s vision is creating vibrant destinations that draw people in for culture, experiences, and innovation. The city is redefining what it means to live, visit, and thrive downtown.
Join Clare and Eli as they investigate how curiosity fuels bold experiments and challenges the status quo. They’ll spotlight the first XID pilot in the U.K. and discuss how radical thinking can lead to innovative solutions. Staying curious takes practice, and failure is part of the process. Our collective challenge is to stay curious and find new, different, and improved solutions to improve well-being. You’ll leave with practical tools to nurture curiosity and embrace the unknown.
Anthony Ryan, CEO of Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), presents an ambitious vision for Brisbane’s future. The city builds on its strong foundations to enhance urban resilience, sustainability, and long-term growth. By embracing innovative infrastructure developments, climate-responsive urban design, and cutting-edge technology, Brisbane is positioning itself as a leader in attracting global attention and investment, solidifying its status as a major player on the world stage.
Working with the future means working with uncertainty, blind angles and cognitive biases. But it also means daring to imagine and challenging the dominating future images we inherited from the past. It is about taking the right risks and watching the right vectors of change. Explore and discover megatrends and their impact on the future of a sustainable society, one where citizens in their 21st-century lifestyles balance all the moving parts.
Our cities are experiencing a poli-crisis – economic, social, environmental – further straining the ability for communities to thrive. How we design the built environment can make a significant difference. The Community Wellbeing Framework, created by DIALOG and the Conference Board of Canada, is a multi-year research study resulting in a Framework that sets out to understand, measure, and guide the creation of built environments. The physical built environment is increasingly seen as a mechanism for improving public health and wellbeing, which further emphasizes the need for designers of the physical environment to lead communities toward actionable plans. By approaching the concept of wellbeing comprehensively, this talk will provide a practical Framework that city-builders, community-members, and design professionals can employ to meaningfully improve the wellbeing of communities and the environment we all share.
Margaret O’Connor sits down with Farah Naz and Geci Karuri-Sebina to explore socio-technical and cultural landscapes worldwide and reveal how cities can create comprehensive, inclusive plans to address the climate emergency. Their conversation highlights examples across the global north and south of blending environmental, social, and economic strategies to build climate-resilient cities and promote sustainable urban development in our ever-changing climate.
Sandhya Naidu Janardhan, awarded the Berkeley-Rupp Prize, leads Mumbai’s Community Design Agency. She emphasizes inclusive design to address societal inequalities, exploring how cities can drive impactful social change and empower marginalized communities.
How do we turn the messiness and friction of cities into thriving public life? Urban strategist and recognized public sector leader Tommi Laitio applies the idea of “convivencia” to public spaces and institutions, like libraries, parks, and museums. According to Laitio, “convivencia” is a space between harmony and conflict where our goal is not to eliminate differences but to get things done. Seeking it builds on the understanding that if we are committed to creating cities for everybody, friction is inevitable. Using examples ranging from social work in Finland to libraries in Canada, Laitio illustrates that living with friction is not easy. But if we feel capable and supported, we can be at ease with it and make wonderful things happen.
Experience Improvement Districts through programming, policy, design, and tactical urbanism. Anupam Yog leads an insightful conversation with Kate, Rosanna, and Stephen, who share how best to animate public spaces and bring people back to city centers, community squares, and social places.
Lana Abdelhameed reveals what’s next for Dubai: pushing beyond current developments, shaping the future as true visionaries, and redefining urban resilience, sustainability, and growth. Discover how Dubai plans to turbocharge innovation and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow, positioning itself as the city of the next era.
Urbanization rapidly transforms our cities, but how can we ensure it strengthens our connection with nature? Lucinda Hartley hosts a conversation with Mike Day and Matt Singleton, where they explore “Timeless Urbanism” and explain how Melbourne, celebrated for its livability, can push beyond comfort to embrace a future that prioritizes nature. Through case studies, learn about Melbourne’s successes and discover areas where it can enhance its biodiversity. Key themes include the importance of planning for the 7C’s creatures, corridors, culture, community, climate, capital, and cashflow in shaping biodiverse cities. Learn how your cities can promote a harmonious coexistence between nature and the built environment.
Anne Kovachevich moderates a conversation with Peter Hyland, Debbie McNamara, and Raynuha Sinnathamby, exploring Brisbane’s vision as a leading next-world city. They’ll discuss how the city shapes the future of entertainment and sports districts, featuring success stories like Springfield. This session will also showcase how Economic Development Queensland drives growth across the city, region, and state, all in preparation for Brisbane 2032.
Erin Lee, Founder of Mindful Moments Singapore, leads the audience into the present moment with “Take a Pause.”
Can cities evolve into vibrant, 24-hour destinations? Greg and Mirik share strategies to revitalize the nighttime economy and dynamic urban spaces. Learn how global city networks boost nocturnal activity and explore innovative methods to engage communities after dark.
Urbanist and strategist Sarah Mineko Ichioka explores the future of urban design and its impact. As the Founding Director of Desire Lines, she offers unique perspectives on advancing environmental, cultural, and social initiatives for transformative urban solutions.
Oliver Lang, CEO of Intelligent City, explores revolutionary urban housing solutions. His vision combines mass timber, automation, and robotics to create scalable, sustainable housing, addressing urban demand and climate change.
Klaus Klaas Loenhart designs the future of our urban agglomerations, buildings and landscapes as interwoven living biomes. As an architect and landscape architect, he and his teams imagine the Post-Anthropocene – when the modernist dichotomies of ‘nature’ and ‘society’ radically disappear. This eco-innovative approach to design focuses on creating integral living systems that redefine the relationship between humans, urban environments, buildings, and the natural world. His work is founded on performative nature-based solutions that aim to reconnect urban societies with our planetary aliveness, emphasizing sustainability through a direct sensual relationship with our more-than-human environment.
Frequently imitated but rarely matched in impact, this panel examines the secrets of Bilbao’s past success and the role that culture continues to play in the city’s regeneration. It goes on to enquire how successfully – or otherwise – the approach has been adopted by other cities operating in very different political and economic contexts. What has been learned by Bilbao and other cities? How can these lessons inform the urban strategies of the future?
Chris Fair and Idioa Postigo close the summit with reflections on the insights gained and a look forward to future urban innovations.
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