According to LiveableCitiesX, by 2050, 68% of us will call cities home, marking a critical moment in our urban evolution.
Rapid urban growth presents challenges, from housing shortages to infrastructure demands that call for immediate action.
In response to the urgent need for urban redesign amidst rapid global urbanization, LiveableCitiesX Representative, Senior VP Josine Heijmans says that their #IAmACityChangeMaker campaign is a movement that calls for collective action to create sustainable, resilient and liveable communities for future generations.
“The #IAmACityChangeMaker campaign is a call to action for everyone actively or passively involved in the shaping of future cities to join the movement and contribute to creating vibrant, liveable cities that improve quality of life for all and ensure sustainable urban development for future generations,” says Heijmans.
Heijmans says that at the heart of this movement is LiveableCitiesX, an event dedicated to addressing the complex challenges faced by city makers worldwide. With 56% of the world’s population now residing in cities, LiveableCitiesX turns urban global trends into opportunities for transformative change.
“As cities grapple with issues such as overcrowding, resource optimization, ageing populations and climate change, the need for collaboration to create sustainable, resilient and liveable cities have never been more urgent. Set against the backdrop of a region undergoing significant transformation and numerous opportunities for enhanced liveability, LiveableCitiesX will address unique urban challenges faced here in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia as it experiences rapid urbanization, necessitating sustainable and equitable development practices, with the event being held in Dubai,” says Heijmans.
The exhibition will showcase services and solutions for urban transformation across four specialized zones. The global city visions and investment hub will feature government entities, urban developers and consultancies. The infrastructure innovation hub will highlight technologies, smart city solutions, transportation and urban mobility. The sustainable urban living zone will focus on green and sustainable building, public spaces and landscapes and circular cities. The everything architecture zone will present architecture firms, interior design and landscape design studios.
With cities generating 80% of global GDP, LiveableCitiesX emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in driving this transformation. Featuring a comprehensive two-day program, the LiveableCitiesX Summit will bring global perspectives through real-world city case studies, themed networking opportunities and practical talks.
Key stakeholders including governments, investors, academics, planners, developers, designers, businesses, and tech innovators will discuss pressing topics such as: partnering for national vision implementation through agile governance and foreign direct investment, community collaboration on urban resilience, adapting and evolving cities in the fight against climate change.
Summit speaker, QOL Director of Advanced Analytics and Research Alsaleh Sugati says that Architectural design, research and innovative design thinking are foundational in developing and implementing solutions that significantly enhance the quality of life in cities of the future.
“In Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, we are committed to creating cities that not only meet the needs of today but are resilient and adaptable for future generations. Through strategic planning and cutting-edge analytics, we are ensuring that our urban environments are sustainable, inclusive and vibrant places where communities can thrive,” says Sugati.
8 80 Cities Founder Gil Penalosa agrees.
“We need to create radically different cities where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can live healthier and happier. We need to stop building cities as if everybody was 30-year-old and athletic,” says Penalosa.
Notes from the Editor: Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 26 – 28 November 2024, LiveableCitiesX will be co-located with GeoWorld and Future FM, bringing together over 15,000 visitors, more than 200 exhibitors, over 500 delegates and 50 speakers. Join the #IAmACityChangemaker campaign.
