Cities at the Crossroads

Cities are at the crossroads of the most pressing global challenges. They are responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions; they are the contested arenas where social, economic and racial inequalities are most stark; they were the early epicentres of contagion during the pandemic. At the same time, they offer the most hope for transformation, with cities leading the way in promoting innovation and experimentation, creating alternative responses to these challenges.

This event will focus on the complexities and opportunities involved in generating governance, policy and design responses at the city level around the core themes of health, justice and the environment. Speakers include a diverse group of internationally prominent urban leaders and practitioners: António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations; Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO; Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN-Habitat; Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona; LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans; Claudia López, Mayor of Bogotá; Mariana Mazzucato, Director, IIPP, UCL; Richard Sennett, Visiting Professor of Urban Studies, MIT; and Ricky Burdett, Director, LSE Cities.