I write this as I fly back from Osaka, Japan after delivering the keynote speech at MIPIM Japan where I shared thoughts on how cities are responding with innovative approaches to global challenges such as climate change and the international competition for talent and investment.
It was a privilege to explore some of Asia’s impressive urban achievements and to meet leaders including Kengo Kuma – the architect designing the stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. At the same event Kuma shared his passion for incorporating nature and building with wood. This new thinking was also given a boost in Gothenburg last week with the opening of the HSB Living Lab a building that will be used to showcase and test innovative construction approaches and technologies that are leading the way to more efficient and resilient buildings.
There are many amazing design ideas in the pipeline as you can see from our feature of the Future Projects Award from WAN. World Cities Network is proud to support these awards as innovation is not only needed in materials use but also in urban design if we are to build a future environment that is low carbon and resilient. The recent ratification of the Paris Climate Accord by scores of leaders including President Obama and President Xi provides a strong signal that demand and funding for such projects is rising. In a New York Times article on September 9, Mrs Clinton is quoted as placing a great emphasis on the roles of cities in combatting climate change and has pledged $60 billion “to invest in energy-efficient public transportation and buildings”. We have ambitious plans and the world is gearing up to put cities at the front line of the great transition.
These ideas and designs must permeate beyond a few showcase buildings and the usual suspects of leading cities. We need scale and we need it quickly. This is what Climate-KIC is seeking to achieve using funding from the EU as a catalyst. To find effective ways to move beyond pilots, to demonstrate the best innovations, and to have them rolled out across our cities. You could help in this task. Join us for the forthcoming Urban Transitions Workshop in early November. You could contribute to developing projects and to explore how you can get involved with Europe’s largest group of urban innovators tackling climate change.
Brian Kilkelly
More on this, the Future Projects Award, and MIPIM Japan ...
