Conference Programme

Welcome from the Event Hosts

Opening Address

Maurice Leroy, Minister for the City, in charge of Greater Paris, France

Keynote address: Towards a civilization of sustainable cities

Jacques Attali, Economist, Writer, President of PlaNet Finance

Thirty years from now, the global population is expected to reach nine billion. Among them, at least six billion will live in cities and two billion in cities with a population of over ten million. This can destroy the environment. As of now, these cities need to be thought of as non environment impacting entities. In order to do so, they ought to mimic nature. Garden cities. Forest cities. Living cities. All of this is possible. Through the application of rigorous rules. By remembering that cities are the only living beings able to rejuvenate.

Coffee break

Keynote Address: Abu Dhabi Vision 2030

Sustainability is at the foundation of any new development in Abu Dhabi and Estidama is transforming the Capital of the Emirate into the model of a global sustainable City

• Amer Al Hammadi, Planning Policy & TIES Director, Planning Policy
• Aysha Abu Shahab, Associate Planner, Estidama
• Yousif Al Fahim, Associate Planner, Planning Policy
• Talal Al Ansari, Senior Urban Designer, Urban Design Studio
• Ibrahim Al Hmoudi, Senior Urban Designer, Urban Design Studio
• Humaid Al Marzouqi – Senior Associate Planner Planning Policies

Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council

Leaders Panel: City and Identity

Mayors and city leaders constantly focus on the development, the evolution and the global recognition of their city’s identity. But how are values relating to urban sustainability integrated into the city strategy? How can city leaders combine both a distinctive city identity and sustainable values?

City leaders will share their methods and approaches to building their city’s identity

Chair : Greg Clark, Global Advisor on the Development & Investment of Cities & Regions, UK

Keynote Address:

Gérard Mestrallet, CEO, GDF Suez, France (video message)

• HH Prince Abdulaziz bin Mohammad bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hon. James Orengo, Minister of Lands, Kenya
• Mayor Jussi Ilmari Pajunen, Helsinki, Finland
• Senator Jean-Marie Bockel, President, Mulhouse Alsace Urban Agglomeration, France
• Alan Frost, Director, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

Networking Lunch

LEADERS’ SUMMIT

Break out session 1

Migration, Identity and Economic Competitiveness: Success Stories of Integration

Moderator: Emeritus Mayor Peter Woods, Secretary General, UCLG-ASPAC

Migration and urban competitiveness: how are the two linked and how can city leaders best integrate newcomers into the economy in order to enhance the international competitive positioning of their city? How can diversity become an opportunity for cities?

Speakers:

• Tan Sri Dato' Seri Abdul Khalid bin Ibrahim, Chief Minister of the Selangor State Government, Malaysia
• Gu Jianqing, Chairman and Chief Director of Guangzhou Association of Social Science Societies, China
• Anna Molero, Managing Director, Barcelona Activa, Barcelona City Council, Spain

Coorganized with UCLG ASPAC

Breakout session 2

From Policy to Adoption by Citizens

Chaired by : Pierre Francis, Managing Director, TOCEMA

Citizens and different social groups, regardless of their wealth, education and background, must adopt and foster the “city identity project” to ensure its long term success. But how can city leaders educate city dwellers on sustainable habits and encourage the adoption of new city values? What is the role of the local consultation and what tools have been developed to make adoption possible?

• Hamou Bouakkaz, Deputy Mayor of Paris, France
• Cynthia M. Nikitin, Vice President, Project for Public Spaces, New York, USA
• Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Executive Director, Think City Pte Ltd, Malaysia
• Marie Sophie Couture, Director, Convercité, Montreal, Canada
• Dr Simon Pearson, Manager, Environmental Strategy and Policy Co-ordination, Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Coorganized with TOCEMA (European Town & City Center Centers Management Association)

Breakout session 3

Panel Discussion: Mobility & Urban Strategy

Moderator: Mohamed Mezghani, Urban Transport Expert

From Abu Dhabi to Paris and the new neighborhoods of Shanghai, most international cities have mobility as a key element of their urban strategy. It’s all about transportation efficiency that impacts accessibility, competitiveness, employment, social cohesion and tourism attractiveness, thus making mobility a crucial value in city identity. What are the challenges? What are the opportunities? This session will examine recent success stories and discuss the need for transportation to be an integral component of global urban development.

• Asma Al Jassmi, Section Head, Plan Implementation and Monitoring Section, Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Mahmoud Dibas, Specialist Integrated Planning Division, Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Per Als, Chief Transport Executive, Copenhagen Municipality, Denmark
• Mohinder Singh, Dean LTA Academy, Land Transport Authority, Singapore
• Dr. Andreas Mehlhorn, Head of Consulting, Siemens Mobility, Germany

Breakout session 4

Maximising the benefits from international mega-events

Chair : Vicente González Loscertales, Secretary General, BIE

There is a “before” and “after” for the cities that host World Expos, the Olympics, World Cups and other major international events. Mega events such as these have the potential to shape a city’s identity and values, as well as accelerate social, economic and urban development. What strategies can be employed to ensure the massive investment programs connected to international events can bring lasting benefits to the city and its inhabitants? Discover how host cities, regions and countries can advance their long term strategic vision by maximizing the benefits of international mega events. Hear the expectations and plans from future hosts and case studies from past hosts.

• Dale Dickson, Chief Executive Officer, Gold Coast City Council, Australia
• Giuseppe Sala, Chief Executive Officer, Milano Expo 2015, Italy
• Hong Hao, Director General, Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau, China
• Prof. Hong-Bin Kang, Director, Seoul History Museum and Head of Yeosu Expo 2012 Organizing Committee's Strategy Planning Team, Korea
• Thomas Brodocz, Vice President International Projects Development, Siemens One, Siemens AG, Germany

Coorganized with Bureau International des Expositions

Networking Opportunities

Breakout session 5

Cities and Green Growth

Chair : Lamia Kamal Chaoui, Head of the Urban Development Programme, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

The global recession and continued concern over climate change have called into question the ability of the current model of economic growth to foster long-term prosperity. Green growth has emerged as a new paradigm that promotes economic development whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, minimising waste and inefficient use of natural resources, and maintaining biodiversity. This session will explore practical tools that can be used to enhance green cities’ economies, including the production of “green collar” jobs and the development of green infrastructure and technology. Innovative financial mechanisms and collaborative frameworks with the private sector will also be examined.

• Stephane Quéré, Senior Vice President - Sustainable Urbanization, GDF SUEZ
• Dr. Lance Pressl, Foundation President, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, USA
• Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Associate Director of Sustainability at Masdar, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Coorganized with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)