Future Cities: Through Science. By Design. In Place. Over Time.

The ongoing, rapid urbanization has significant effects on the future of urban development and the coexistence of people. This presents us with great challenges. Traditional functional planning models can no longer adequately capture the complex interrelationships and different influencing factors. A new, holistic understanding of urban planning that considers the interactions of sustainable design principles and can enhance the quality of life in cities is required. This should develop visionary approaches that anticipate and address future needs and challenges.

The Future Cities Laboratory (FCL) Global is an international research collaboration between ETH Zurich and the Singapore universities NUS, NTU, and SUTD, supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF), and pursues a transdisciplinary approach that combines design, technology, science, and governance. With its data-driven research based on evidence-based strategies and empirical findings, FCL Global provides the foundation for resilient future urban planning and design. It also encourages collaboration between different interest groups by involving political and participatory processes.

The conference "Future Cities: Through Science. By Design. In Place. Over Time." brings together renowned experts from architecture, urban planning, politics, and society, including personalities such as Momoyo Kaijima, Hugh Lim, Pierre de Meuron, Norbert Niederkofler, Susan Parnell, Enrique Peñalosa, and Peter Sloterdijk, in an international dialogue. FCL Global researchers will also present the current state of the research programme. The event is accompanied by a public exhibition in the foyer of ETH Zurich. The exhibition and presentations combine different research scales, from sustainable building materials to neighbourhoods, cities, and regions.

The conference clarifies how scientific progress and innovation can contribute to sustainable urban development and emphasizes its implementation. This includes sustainable practices, tools, and scenarios to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the growing world population on urban regions.