Registration

Welcome Remarks

What does it take to build a new city? More than ever, we need bold ideas, pragmatic execution, and a global network of innovators willing to challenge the status quo. In his opening remarks, Mark Lutter sets the stage for this year’s summit—highlighting the growing momentum behind the new cities movement, the key themes shaping this year’s discussions, and why now is the time to accelerate city-building worldwide. With a focus on action, opportunity, and collaboration, this welcome address will kick off a Summit dedicated to turning vision into reality.

Keynote Address: Africa's Flagship New City Builder, Rendeavour

Africa is urbanizing at an unprecedented pace, but who is actually building its cities? Stephen Jennings, the visionary behind Rendeavour, has spent years developing some of the continent’s most ambitious new urban projects. In this keynote, he shares the hard-won lessons of building cities from scratch—what works, what doesn’t, and what it will take to scale affordable, investable urban expansion across Africa. Expect big ideas, bold predictions, and a candid look at the future of Africa’s cities from one of the leaders shaping them today.

Catapult Project Introductions

The demand for well-planned, economically vibrant, and scalable new cities has never been greater. Yet too often, visionary projects struggle to move from concept to reality. The Cities Catapult, an initiative of the Charter Cities Institute and the Africa Infrastructure Development Association is designed to change that. This initiative is a launchpad for the next generation of urban developments—bringing together developers, investors, and policymakers to fast-track the creation of thriving new cities. With a focus on scalable models, innovative financing, and real-world execution, Cities Catapult will connect high-potential city projects with the resources and expertise they need to succeed.

Catapult: Session 1

Panel: New Cities: Localizing Supply Chains and Critical Minerals Processing

As new cities rise, securing resilient supply chains and integrating critical minerals processing into urban economies will define their success. This session explores how emerging urban centers can leverage local resources, attract strategic industries, and create self-sustaining economic ecosystems in an era of shifting geopolitics and resource security.

Networking Coffee Break

Catapult: Session 2

Panel: Talent as an Anchor Tenant: New University Towns

World-class universities have long served as economic and cultural anchors for thriving cities. This session examines the rise of university towns as foundational elements of new cities, exploring how talent-driven ecosystems can catalyze innovation, attract investment, and become magnets for global human capital.

Keynote: Geoeningeering and the Future of Cities

As climate risks escalate, cities must evolve beyond adaptation—what if they could engineer their own environments? Tomas Pueyo explores how geoengineering could reshape urban climates, from large-scale cooling solutions to atmospheric modifications. This session delves into the bold ideas, technological frontiers, and ethical questions surrounding engineered urban resilience.

Lunch

Fireside Chat: Prospera Africa: Advancing Economic Freedom

What does it take to build cities of opportunity? Magatte Wade discusses how special economic zones and new governance models can unlock prosperity in Africa. Drawing from the successes and challenges of projects like Próspera, this fireside chat explores the role of economic freedom in shaping Africa’s next generation of cities.

Catapult: Session 3

Panel: Urban Design: Reviving Tradition, Pushing the Frontier

New cities face a critical choice: embrace the wisdom of traditional urbanism or pioneer experimental designs for the future. This session brings together leading architects, planners, and developers to explore how urban design can blend heritage, cultural identity, and cutting-edge innovation to create cities that feel both familiar and forward-looking.

Networking Coffee Break

Urban Expansion Venture Announcement

Africa’s urban population is set to double by 2050, creating an urgent need for scalable, high-quality urban expansion at an affordable price point. Join us for the unveiling a groundbreaking new company designed to meet this challenge head-on. With an innovative approach to master planning, infrastructure development, and financing, this venture aims to deliver new urban communities that are both accessible and economically viable. Join the founders and key stakeholders as they outline their vision, strategy, and roadmap for transforming urban growth across Africa.

Panel: Planning for Rapid Urban Expansion

With urban populations surging, how can new cities scale infrastructure, services, and governance at an unprecedented pace? This session dives into the strategies that enable cities to absorb massive growth—from modular urbanism and flexible zoning to AI-driven planning and decentralized governance models.

Keynote Address

Logistics Announcements

Break Time

Gala Dinner