Agenda

An open exchange of ideas on how cities can become more liveable, resilient and inclusive. Through informal conversations with practitioners and innovators from different sectors, this session explores emerging approaches to urban challenges, from mobility and public space to digital services and citizen participation. Format and speakers to be announced.

An open exchange of ideas on how cities can become more liveable, resilient and inclusive. Through informal conversations with practitioners and innovators from different sectors, this session explores emerging approaches to urban challenges, from mobility and public space to digital services and citizen participation. Format and speakers to be announced.

From algorithms that suggest to systems that decide and execute. What autonomous AI agents are already doing in the real world, and what it means for cities.

Governments are using data, AI and automation to modernize institutions, deliver better public services and transform the way they operate – from the inside out.

Renewables, decentralization, geography and long-term resilience: how cities and regions are making the defining energy choices of our time.

Human-centered design, accessible public spaces and everyday services are not just amenities – they are the building blocks of belonging. How do cities create places where people genuinely want to live?

An exploration of how cities can use integrated platforms combining satellite, sensor and mobility data to support urban air quality management and evidence-based interventions.

An examination of how cities can align their public transport with shared mobility modes through innovative governance models that enable effective coordination across public and private operators.

How cities are anticipating, preparing for and absorbing escalating climate impacts: from extreme weather events to infrastructure stress and social vulnerability.

Where do cities actually stand on 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and smart networks? An honest assessment of current deployment and the connectivity gaps that still need solving.

The way cities design, build and manage their built environment has changed forever. Digital tools are driving efficiency, reducing waste and unlocking new levels of coordination across the entire development lifecycle

Connecting AI and sustainability can help create greener, more livable cities, but scaling impact responsibly remains a challenge. The session explores how cities can use AI sustainably and equitably by addressing topics such as governance, partnerships, business models, data, carbon footprint, and accountability, while identifying the enabling conditions needed to build resilient, carbon-neutral and inclusive cities by 2030.

Urban health systems, social services and age-friendly strategies are redefining what it means to live well in a city – for children, aging populations and everyone in between.

Insights on how cities are accelerating the decarbonisation of urban spaces through integrated infrastructure and shared energy systems.

A strategic perspective on how policy frameworks are driving investment in electric mobility infrastructure and positioning cities as key actors in the EU's decarbonisation agenda.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a defining force in the evolution of smart cities, reshaping how urban environments are understood, managed, and experienced. As AI moves from experimentation to large-scale implementation, cities are entering a new phase of transformation driven by data, automation, and predictive capabilities. Beyond efficiency and optimization, AI is also redefining the relationship between technology, governance, and society, raising important questions around trust, inclusion, transparency, and public value. This session explores how to harness AI not only to improve urban performance, but to build more resilient, sustainable, and human-centered futures.

Cities are rethinking how urban spaces are designed, built, and maintained in response to growing environmental, social, and economic pressures. Innovation in infrastructure, construction, and urban planning is driving a shift toward more sustainable, resilient, and adaptable urban environments. As cities expand and transform, the focus is moving beyond growth alone to creating spaces that improve quality of life, optimize resources, and respond to future challenges. The next generation of urban development will depend on integrated approaches that combine sustainability, efficiency, technology, and human-centered design to shape smarter and more livable cities.

Cities today stand at a turning point, where climate change, rapid urban growth, and environmental shifts are reshaping how urban areas function and evolve. These changes go beyond daily experience, influencing the very foundations and systems that support urban life. As cities adapt to increasing uncertainty and more complex challenges, the need for innovative, adaptive and resilient solutions becomes more urgent. This session brings together cutting-edge and practical solutions that help cities adapt, transform, and stay ahead of emerging challenges, paving the way toward more resilient, sustainable, and livable urban futures.

Urban livability is shaped by a wide range of cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors, making each city experience unique, constantly evolving. What defines a “good place to live” can vary significantly, yet there are shared approaches that help improve quality of life across different contexts. Taking a comprehensive view of society, addressing the needs of diverse groups across multiple dimensions, from accessibility and equity to public space and daily well-being. This session presents practical case studies and tangible approaches aimed at enhancing everyday urban living conditions.

City approaches to using data and digital tools to plan mobility systems that are more accessible, inclusive and responsive to diverse territorial needs.

An examination on how emerging data sources, sensor technologies, connected devices and AI-assisted participatory platforms are helping cities better understand lived mobility experience, creating richer evidence for more inclusive and human-centred mobility planning.

How city governments are embedding AI into their operations – for prediction, resource allocation and sustainable urban development. Real deployments, real outcomes.

Behind every smart city is a material backbone: data centers, sensors, networks and devices. Exploring the physical infrastructure that makes urban connectivity possible – and vulnerable.

Next-generation lighting, from energy-efficient street lighting to smart integrated infrastructures, is quietly transforming safety, emissions and the experience of public space.

Large-scale urban transformation requires bold financing. Exploring the innovative models, international funds & publicprivate strategies that are making ambitious cities possible.

A look at how cities are building resilient urban logistics that adapt supply chains, reduce disruptions and ensure sustainable, reliable last-mile delivery in dynamic urban environments.

An overview of how cities and operators are combining adaptive operational strategies with digital tools and data-driven insights to improve flexibility, reliability and resilience in last-mile delivery -- enabling better anticipation of disruptions and more efficient urban logistics flows.

A multi-stakeholder discussion on how policy, business and technology can align to strengthen resiliency for more future-proof urban logistics systems.

By 2030, data centers will account for 8.6% of global energy demand. As capacity triples in Europe and sprawl accelerates in North America, cities face unprecedented pressure on land and resources. This session addresses how strategic land-use policy and zoning can transition these facilities from isolated, resource-heavy sites into integrated, dense, and climate-aligned urban infrastructure.

Discover how plug-and-play AI and digital solutions can help create thriving, future-ready communities. This session highlights affordable, open-source innovations that empower small and medium size municipalities and cities in the Global South alike. By focusing on flexible interoperability, we will explore how cities can adopt affordable, sustainable technology, collaborate across platforms, and build resilient urban futures on their own terms.

Perspectives on how cities can govern access, sharing and reuse of mobility data across public and private actors while safeguarding trust, control and public value.

How real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and connected infrastructure are redefining urban safety and resilience – and the cybersecurity challenges they bring.

Smart grids, storage systems, electrification and integrated management platforms – the tools that turn energy ambition into operational reality.

This political session would aim to present the CEMR–28DIGITAL programme “Empowering Local Leaders Through AI” and its AI training for local and regional governments’ leaders. This session would bring together politicians and partners to discuss the importance of local leaders’ AI literacy in improving governance and the need to scale practical capacity-building for cities and regions across Europe.

A dive into how digital twins, APIs and emerging data standards are reshaping the governance of urban mobility data, enabling cities to coordinate mobility systems dynamically while addressing new challenges around data sharing, interoperability and control across public and private actors.

No city solves alone. Cross-sector alliances, city-to-city cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships are emerging as the most effective response to shared urban challenges.

An exploration of how public transport can evolve alongside its users as mobility habits and urban coniditions change, and how innovation solutions are responding to these emerging expectations.

In the digital age, opportunity is unevenly distributed. Addressing the divides in access, literacy and rights that define who benefits from urban innovation and who gets left behind.

A roundtable discussion bringing together stakeholders from across the mobility ecosystem to explore evolving mobility habits, future behavioural shifts, and how cities can ensure their transport systems remain attractive, accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.

Emerging technologies are accelerating a new phase of urban transformation, redefining how cities operate, evolve, and interact with citizens. As innovation moves faster than ever, cities are becoming testing grounds for new models of governance, connectivity, sustainability, and urban experience. The challenge is no longer only technological adoption, but the ability to translate innovation into meaningful impact and long-term public value. This session examines how new technological solutions are being applied through projects designed to improve cities and enhance urban life.

Energy is the backbone of modern cities—powering mobility, housing, digital services, industry, and everyday life. As urban populations evolve and energy demand continues to rise, ensuring a continuous, reliable and affordable energy supply becomes essential. At the same time, cities face increasing pressure to transition towards cleaner, more efficient and sustainable energy systems that can support long-terms progress and reduce environmental impact. The session presents proven real-world solutions that are transforming urban energy systems, exploring how they are produced, managed, transported, and integrated into urban infrastructure to create smarter and future-ready cities.

An examination of how cities translate Vision Zero ambitions into system-level safety, data alignment, design and investment decisions with long-term health and societal outcomes.

An exploration of how emerging approaches use data and analytics to assess street-level risk, identify priority areas for intervention and support more informed, system-level safety decisions across urban mobility networks.

Mapping AI’s boundaries – and what comes next. An honest look at current constraints and the emerging technologies that could overcome them.

Education, civic life, creative industries and responsible tourism are not the backdrop to urban development. They are its engine. How cultural ecosystems build identity, care and quality of life from within.

Parks, urban forests, green corridors and regenerative design are not only amenities – they are climate tools, health assets and biodiversity engine.

Tourism, commerce, talent, startups, knowledge industries: the forces shaping urban competitiveness. How are cities attracting what they need to thrive in a changing global economy?

Understanding the growing role of cities in battery collection, logistics and end-of-life management.

A perspective analysing the growing role of cities in battery collection, logistics and end-of-life management, including opportunities for second-life applications in urban energy systems and the integration of safety and circularity principles into mobility and infrastructure planning.

An assessment of the policy frameworks and regulatory levers shaping battery circularity in Europe, enabling more resilient, scalable and competitive battery value chains.

A panel discussion bringing together industry, policy and innovation stakeholders on the next wave of developments in battery circularity, including battery passports and digital traceability, circular and design-for-reuse approaches, and second-life applications as a competitive alternative to recycling. It will also address safe handling and the integration of circularity principles into urban mobility and infrastructure planning, identifying priority actions realise a fully circular battery ecosystem.

Cities are key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and social progress, making effective governance and strong economic strategies essential for long-term success. As urban systems become more complex and interconnected, governments must adapt quickly to evolving challenges, supported by digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and strengthened institutional capabilities. At the same time, cities need to invest in resilient long-term strategies and reinforce the economic and political foundations that support competitiveness, stability, and prosperity. This session presents practical approaches and real-world solutions that help shape more efficient, adaptive, and future-oriented urban governance and economic systems.

Books shape how we think about cities — and sometimes, how we govern them. The day after the Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award ceremony, the winning author joins jury members and urban practitioners from around the world for a live debate on the book's core arguments. What do its ideas mean for the cities we are building today? Where do theory and practice diverge — and where do they converge?

Insights into how cities and logistics operators can accelerate zero-emission urban freight through microhubs, cargo bikes and digital tools while balancing efficiency, regulation and urban liveability.

Digital twins, simulation environments and integrated city platforms are turning urban complexity into something manageable and predictable. The building blocks of tomorrow are already here.

Rethinking water and waste management as a critical asset for public health, environmental protection and the quality of urban life.

Retrofitting, green building standards and low-emission infrastructure: How are cities upgrading existing assets and creating new solutions to meet future needs?