How can new urban geographies create new histories?

According to Aromar Revi, “cities are the most important creation that humankind has created over the last 5000 years, but also the most deeply confounded one.”

This is particularly true at a time when climate change, rapid urbanization and increasing inequality present problems of a deeper and more complex scale than ever before. But what if cities are put at the heart of the development agenda? What opportunities might cities present for a different economic, social and human development path, one that ensures greater sustainability and inclusion? How might the energy of mega-cities and regions be harnessed for the greater good? What’s needed to make cities part of the solution instead of the crux of the problem?
Revi will reflect on these questions, present the global campaign underway for the Urban SDG (Sustainable Development Goal), explain why this campaign is critical for Istanbul, and talk about how to get involved.

Aromar Revi is a thought leader and expert on urbanization, having planned two-thirds of India’s states. He leads the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) efforts on Sustainable Cities, directs the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, and is one of the Coordinating Lead Authors for the Urban Areas section of the IPCC 5th Assessment report (2014).