Tatiana Gallego, Inter-American Development Bank: Adaptive Housing and Construction Decarbonization
In 2018, the buildings sector In Latin America accounted for 24% of final energy use and 21% of process-related carbon dioxide emissions. Construction is proving to be the key to many cities’ approaches to climate change, as its adaptation is the difference between a sustainable city and one that suffers the effects of climate change. To talk with us about how the construction section can pivot is none other than Tatiana Gallego Lizon, the Chief of the Housing and Urban Development Division in the Climate Change and Sustainability Department of the Inter-American Development Bank. She got her PhD in Environmental Engineering and Technology at the Imperial College in London.
Jeff Merritt, World Economic Forum | How Can Cities Improve Their Technological Governance?
The way cities implement new technology into their societies can prove to be the difference between increased productivity and stagnation. Now with Natalie, and ready to talk with us about how cities can improve their technological governance is Jeff Merritt, the Head of Urban Transformation and a Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. He previously worked in the Mayor’s Office of New York as a Senior Advisor and Director of Innovation.
A Few Valuable Lessons from Costa Rica’s Age-Friendly Cities
Cities can prove to be gateways to adventures and opportunities for many young people, such is the case for why young adults increasingly flock to cities from rural settings. However, in our rapidly changing world, where some regions are seeing a rapidly aging population, it’s important for cities to remain friendly and welcoming for people of all demographics, be they young or old. To talk with us about how cities can go about accommodating their elders are two brilliant speakers. Ana Lucía Ferrero Mata is the current Vice-Mayor for the Curridabat Municipality in Costa Rica, she’s also been a professor at Veritas University for the past 39 years. Andrea Teran is the Director of Programs for the Aging Population at the Yamuni Tabush Foundation; she’s also an Independent Fundraising Consultant, and Community Relations Consultant in Curridabat.
Olga Chepelianskaia | Hitting Green Goals Through Zero-Emission Building
All around the world, cities, countries, and companies are trying to hit their respective zero-emission goals. At the crux of this ambition is the building sector, which will prove decisive in determining whether green goals are met. To discern this crucial matter, we have an incredibly insightful speaker. Olga Chepelianskaia, is an international sustainability expert and founder of UNICTI, a network of practitioners striving to revive and expand uniqueness in Asian cities.
Smart City Institute Japan: A Shift Towards Sustainability & Wellbeing
In response to changing demographics and the challenges posed by an increase in urban concentration, governments must find new ways to ensure long-term social and economic stability. Here to speak with us about the shift away from focus that is purely on material growth, and towards an emphasis on sustainability and well-being, is Takehiko Nagumo. Mr. Nagumo is Director of the Smart City Institute in Japan and developed the Livable Well-Being City Indicator.
Martha Thorne, IE University of Architecture and Design | Let’s Teach our Cities
We all want our cities to grow and improve, and yet having the creative mind and ideas to design such improvements is essential. Educating the city and transforming how it functions and works is thus up to innovative minds to undertake. Speaking with us is one such innovative mind. Martha Thorne is a Distinguished Professor at the IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid, she was previously a Dean at the school for seven years, and an Executive Director for the renown Pritzker Architecture Prize for sixteen years. She currently also serves as a Senior Advisor for the Henrik F. Obel Foundation.
Eduard Xatruch, Disfrutar Restaurant: How Cuisine Shapes Cities’ Culture?
Owner and Chef, Restaurant Disfrutar
Milestone Systems: How Video Surveillance Can Benefit Healthcare, Business and Citizens Wellbeing
The use of video surveillance technology is well established in many countries as a way of monitoring citizens and improving security. With an estimated one billion surveillance cameras worldwide, many cities already rely on the video footage to support security and law enforcement purposes. To talk with us about how video management software can go beyond this also benefit healthcare, the wellbeing of city residents, and businesses, is Jaime Durbán, Business Developing Manager at Milestone Systems.
Sorigué: A New Water Mining Project to Upgrade Cities Infrastructure
City governments do their best to manage and upgrade their infrastructures and services. Many times, however, a collaboration with private companies is necessary. This allows for greater efficiency and productivity, which benefits the city as a whole. To talk with us about how this collaboration unfolds, and the exciting projects being undertaken is Joan Pons, Sorigué’s Director of Innovation. Sorigué is a group of companies specialized in city services, construction, water engineering, and technology.
UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing & Womenpreneur | Bridging Inequality with Creative Solutions
Modernization and progress can prove to be a great boon for many people.