The objective of the cities platform is to facilitate worldwide networking among urban actors from politics, administration, industry, science and civil society and to support a systematic and application-oriented exchange of experience and development of innovative ideas for urban projects. The launch event will provide a forum for dialogue on worldwide urban challenges and solutions, thematically framed as ‘Sustainable Urban Development: Between Resource Efficiency and Sufficiency’.

We will address the key ideas of ‘efficiency’ and ‘sufficiency’ as two complementary strategies for achieving sustainable urban development. The discussions will range from technological innovation for resource efficient development pathways to social innovations changing the lifestyles of individuals and societies. The event will focus primarily on the local scope of action for implementing such innovations, and practical approaches deployed by municipalities in addressing the challenges.