Understanding future cities at the WEF

10 September 2012

WEF2018

Breakthrough ideas will shape the future of cities as they face unprecedented pressures. This is the premise that four Oxford Martin School academics will put forward in an ‘IdeasLab’ at the World Economic Forum’s 'Summer Davos' meeting in Tianjin, China, from September 11 – 13.

Considering the challenges of healthcare, energy, migration and the economy, the four academics will present the World Economic Forum (WEF) audience of business, policy and thought leaders with some of the latest innovative ideas resulting from academic research. As urban populations around the world increase, cities are faced with complex and rapidly evolving challenges. The Oxford IdeasLab will offer insights into practical approaches to addressing these challenges with ingenuity and versatility.

The IdeasLab is an exciting forum that provides an interactive environment featuring visuals and breakout groups to support brainstorming of collaborative ideas on new trends, technologies and discoveries. The presentations under discussion at this year’s University of Oxford IdeasLab are:

  • Migration, mobility and the flexible city by Professor Michael Keith, Co-Director, Programme for the Future of Cities
  • Healthcare delivery and high-density living by Dr Kazem Rahimi, Deputy Director, George Centre for Healthcare Innovation
  • Nature: powering the city of the future by Dr Justin Bishop, James Martin Fellow, Institute for Carbon and Energy Reduction in Transport
  • Behaviour, the economy and low-carbon choices by Dr David Bonilla, James Martin Fellow, Institute for Carbon and Energy Reduction in Transport

The discussions will be facilitated by Indira V. Samarasekera, President of the University of Alberta, Canada.

Oxford Martin School’s Head of Policy, Natalie Day, will be accompanying the four academics, helping to build on our history of engagement between Oxford Martin School scholars and key figures from the World Economic Forum. Over the past few years, the School has developed an active partnership with the WEF to provide insights for their global reports and speakers for international events, as well as taking part in six previous IdeasLabs.

Read the report from the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 Creating the Future Economy

Watch webcasts from previous Oxford Martin School IdeasLabs at the WEF

Oxford Martin School partnership with the WEF and the WEF Risk Report

Watch Professor Steve Rayner discussing the future of our cities

More about Oxford Martin School's partnership with the WEF