Our cities and built environments have profound impacts on people and planet. Where people live and work, how they get from one place to another, and the level of access they have to basic services and infrastructure all have impacts not only on quality of life but on climate change and biodiversity as well.
Please join Systems Change Lab, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and NewClimate Institute on October 31st to celebrate World Cities Day and explore the current state of our cities and the built environment as well as what action is needed this critical decade and beyond.
The cities and buildings systems are deeply interconnected, both with each other and with other key systems in the Systems Change Lab platform like governance, transport, and energy supply. Intentional planning with a systemic lens is needed to decarbonize buildings and cities — and to ensure equity and access to basic needs like housing, transportation, energy, water and sanitation, food, green space and more.
High-level voices in these fields will come together to discuss the major shifts needed for sustainable cities and buildings, where we are falling behind, and where we are finding signals of hope. Join us to discover the role of cities and buildings in systems change.
Moderator
- Rogier van den Berg, Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
Opening Remarks*
- Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Research Insights
- Maeve Weston, Research and Engagement Manager, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
- Emily Daly, NewClimate Institute
Panelists
- Aloke Barnwal, Thematic Lead, Urban and Infrastructure, Global Environment Facility
- Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council
- Gregor Robertson, Global Ambassador, Global Covenant of Mayors
- Harini Nagendra, Director, School of Climate Change and Sustainability and Director, Research Centre, Azim Premji University
*Opening remarks recorded in advance.