By 2050, almost 70% of the global population will live in cities. As a result of fast growth, cities struggle to meet the demands of the population and provide quality jobs, modern urban services and a healthy environment. Where urbanization systems fall short, entrepreneurs and start-ups are quick to address complex urban problems with innovative and sustainable business solutions. Fostering entrepreneurship and innovation has become key to building the cities of the future.
Start-ups and small businesses are increasingly connecting with other urban stakeholders such as local governments, academic institutions, and civil society to deliver high-quality products and services, resulting in the emergence of innovation ecosystems. These are becoming an integral part of modern cities to successfully address urban growth issues.
This session brings together key players in city ecosystems to share best practices and inspire city-wide collaborations across the globe for future innovations. The session will build on UNCTAD’s publication on “Urban expansion, an entrepreneur’s playground” and aim to identify replicable policy approaches for the promotion of investment and entrepreneurship for sustainable urban development.
Session themes:
- What does tomorrow’s city look like and how can innovation contribute to urban sustainability?
- How can urban stakeholders – local governments, entrepreneurs, investors, academia and communities – better work together to design prosperous and livable cities?
- How can a city attract the right kind of entrepreneurial talent and investment?
Speaker(s)
