Urban Transitions Mission
Global Innovation Summit 2024

7-8 October 2024 | Brussels, Belgium

On 7-8 October 2024, in Brussels, Belgium and online the UTM Global Innovation Summit was hosted, supported by the European Commission, Urban Transitions Mission Centre (UTMC), the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the Covenant of Mayors Eastern Partnership (CoM East).

This high-level gathering brought UTM Cities together with global leaders in urban innovation and sustainability, national policymakers, international organizations, financial institutions, partners, and stakeholders from the private sector and academia, to explore the role of urban planning and designing in fostering transitions to net-zero, resilient, and inclusive communities.

Participants delved into innovative approaches that aid cities across the world in them partway to a net-zero resilient future, through prioritizing resource efficiency, people-centered design, and digital interconnectedness.

UTM Global Innovation Summit 2024:

PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE:
CITIES DESIGNING URBAN TRANSITIONS

From integrated urban planning strategies and green technologies to data governance and blended innovative financing and new models for investment, participants delved into the tools and approaches shaping the cities of tomorrow. Experts shared their knowledge on maximizing resource use, integrating cutting-edge technologies, fostering community engagement, and using digital solutions to plan and create interconnected urban infrastructures and ecosystems that enhance resilience, inclusiveness, and access to essential services.

The Global Innovation Summit 2024 will happen back to back with the European Week of Cities and Regions (7-10 October), an event dedicated to showcasing how local and regional efforts drive sustainable transitions.

Policymakers and technical experts from UTM cities worldwide will share their experiences, challenges, and the most innovative and impactful solutions implemented in their communities. Topics such as innovative governance, financing, and digital solutions will offer cross-cutting insights and help identify key partnerships needed to advance UTM cities on their journey toward a sustainable, resilient future.

Throughout the 2-days event, the Summit will feature workshops, plenary sessions, and expert panels to discuss maximizing resource use, integrating green technologies, and fostering community engagement. Additionally, we will explore the role of digital technologies in creating interconnected urban ecosystems that enhance resilience, inclusiveness, and access to essential services.

Re-watch Day 1 of the UTM Summit:

Re-watch Day 2 of the UTM Summit:

SUMMIT AGENDA

The UTM Global Innovation Summit took place during two dynamic days of interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations. Participants engaged with urban planners, policymakers, and global leaders who are at the forefront of urban transformation.

7th October

SUMMIT DAY 1

Morning plenary sessions, followed by three parallel afternoon workshops on resource-efficient design, smart cities, and digital interconnectedness. A mayoral panel will come together for a reality-check on current and future urban transitions. The day will conclude with an evening reception for all in-person attendees.

09:00 | Welcome & Opening Remarks

09:20 | Setting the Scene: Designing Sustainable Pathways

09:50 | UTM in Action: Designing Resource-Efficient Cities

11:15 | UTM in Action: Designing People-Centered Cities

12:30 | UTM in Action: Designing Smart & Connected Cities

16:20 | Urban Transition: Reality-Check

17:30 | UTM Looks Ahead: Stocktaking & Way Forward

18:00 | Reception & Networking

8th October

SUMMIT DAY 2

Co-hosted with the Annual Conference of the Urban Transitions Mission Centre (UTMC), this day will focus on governance, financing, and the tools needed to support urban transitions. Sessions will explore practical solutions and new opportunities for collaboration.

09:00 | A Brand New Day: Setting the Scene

09:20 | UTMC – Your Needs, Your Platform, Our Support

11:00 | UTM in Action: Investing in Your Future (Workshop)

12:10 | Unlocking NDCs 3.0 Through Multi-Level Governance

14:00 | UTM Finance and Funding Dialogue

For a detailed schedule, download the full agenda here.

Additional photos, presented materials, and much more will be made available on the UTMC platform. (link coming soon)

DEEP-DIVE SESSIONS

7th October

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

During the afternoon, three parallel workshops were held, giving participants the opportunity to dive deeper into specific areas of urban sustainability. These workshops were designed to provide practical insights and foster collaborative problem-solving

Workshop 1: Resource-Efficient Urban Design – Explore strategies to optimize resource use while ensuring sustainable city growth.
Workshop 2: Digital Technologies for Interconnected Cities – Discover how digital innovations are creating smarter, more resilient urban ecosystems.
Workshop 3: Financing Sustainable Urban Transitions – Learn about innovative financing models that can drive the urban transition to a net-zero future.

For a detailed schedule, download the full agenda here.

8th October

FUNDERS DIALOGUE DEDICATED TO NATIONAL RESEARCH AND FUNDING AGENCIES FOR PRIORITIES RELATED TO URBAN TRANSITIONS

With the facilitation by the Urban Transitions Mission Centre (UTMC), the session, dedicated to national research and funding agencies, focused on mobilizing funding to support urban transitions by raising awareness of existing programs, fostering multilevel collaborations between funding agencies, investors, and cities, and encouraging active participation in driving innovative urban solutions. The dialogue explored how to leverage collective purchasing power for cities to accelerate sustainable and resilient urban transformations.

For a detailed schedule, download the full agenda here.

For selected cities only:

8th-9th October

STUDY TOUR TO THE TO SIGNIFY’S OUTDOOR LIGHTING APPLICATION CENTER (OLAC)

As part of the Summit, participating cities also had the opportunity to join the Study Tour at Signify’s Outdoor Lighting Application Center (OLAC) which provided them with a practical exploration of how innovative outdoor lighting solutions can support cities’ decarbonization efforts, while enhancing safety and well-being and safeguarding circularity and biodiversity needs.

The Study Tour at Signify’s Outdoor Lighting Application Center (OLAC) provides participants with a practical exploration of how innovative outdoor lighting solutions can support cities’ decarbonization efforts. During the workshop, facilitated by Signify experts, attendees will focus on identifying key topics of interest, sharing best practices and solutions already implemented or planned, and collaboratively drafting a high-level plan to address these challenges.

For a detailed schedule, download the full agenda here.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Participation in the UTM Global Innovation Summit is free of charge, and you can join either in person or virtually, but previous registration is mandatory. The event will take place in English, with no interpretation services provided, so proficiency in English is required to fully engage in the sessions.

To attend, all participants must complete the registration form, where you will be asked to indicate whether you will join in person or online. For in-person attendees, additional information will be required to gain access to the venue, including your preferences for the afternoon workshops and whether you wish to join the evening reception on 7th October.

Due to venue capacity, early registration is encouraged. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative event!

Deadline to register for in-person attendance is Wednesday 2nd October.

Information for in-site participants:

The UTM Global Innovation Summit will be held in Brussels, Belgium. Below is a list of important logistical details to help plan your attendances:

VENUE & LOCATION: