Cities are home to more than half of the global population and account for more than 70% of final global energy consumption and these figures are expected to rise. The climate and energy challenge is an urban one, and cities are essential to achieve a sustainable transition to a climate neutral, resilient world.
As urban systems become increasingly complex and multi-faceted, the “cities track” of Digital with Purpose 2024 aims to offer a platform for policymakers and digitalization leaders alike to discuss holistic approaches enabled by digital solutions that can respond to cities’ needs to build, operate, and maintain sustainable and future-proofed infrastructures.
PLENARIES:
The plenary sessions will explore the nexus between digitalization and the growing interconnection of urban infrastructure and services, delving into both the opportunities and the risks for urban infrastructures. The conversation will offer cross-cutting insights on the role of digital solutions in advancing cities’ journey to a net-zero, resilient future, singling out new and ambitious ways forward to build effective partnerships and reach this goal.
- Smart & Secure Cities: Examines the role of digital technologies in managing urban infrastructures, discussing challenges like cybersecurity and privacy while exploring solutions for efficient governance and data management.
- Interconnected and Resource-Efficient Cities: Discusses the intersection of digitalization and decarbonization efforts, focusing on energy systems, AI utilization, and strategies to mitigate environmental impacts.
- Inclusive and Adaptive Cities: Explores how digitalization aids in climate resilience through early warning systems and community coordination, addressing challenges in planning, cost, and inclusivity.
WORKSHOPS:
The workshops of the smart cities track are designed to offer a platform for exchange among stakeholders of urban transitions, by helping to reframe the conversation around sectoral solutions, by proposing alternative value-chains, driven by societal needs rather than dictated by business-as-usual decarbonization solutions.
- Boosting Access & Inclusion through Digital Solutions: Highlights solutions to bridge social divides and ensure inclusive access to services, emphasizing community engagement and participatory actions.
- Accelerating Access & Well-being through Evidence-Driven Policymaking: Focuses on leveraging data for informed decision-making, addressing challenges in data access and utilization for effective urban policy.
- Digital Finance: Explores the transformative potential of digital finance in sustainable development, discussing solutions like mobile banking and blockchain for equitable, efficient, and inclusive financial services.
