Registration

Start your summit experience by checking in at the registration desk, where you'll receive your event materials and badge. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow attendees, get acquainted with the venue, and prepare for an engaging day of discussions and networking. Our team will be on hand to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth start to the event.

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

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

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.

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.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Catapult Session 2

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

Modern Zones for a Modern Economy: The Future of SEZs

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have long been a tool for economic transformation, but what does the next generation of SEZs look like? This session examines how new zones are evolving to accommodate emerging industries, digital economies, and alternative governance models, making them more relevant than ever.

A Global Tour of the New Cities Ecosystem

Around the world, new cities are emerging with diverse economic models, governance structures, and urban visions. This session takes a panoramic view of the global new cities movement, showcasing groundbreaking projects, key trends, and lessons learned from across continents. From special economic zones to startup societies, explore how different regions are experimenting with new approaches to urban development and what these projects reveal about the future of cities.

Lunch

Take a break to enjoy a delicious meal featuring local flavors. This is your chance to recharge, connect with fellow delegates, and continue the conversations sparked by the morning sessions in a relaxed setting.

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

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

Big Art Accelerates New Cities

GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij reveals how big art is a major catalyst that can grow early cities. Most new cities fail while they are small and there is too little interest to move there. Social media photos are the new passport stamps, serving as the stories people share of places that excite them. Striking, large-scale artwork offers visual intrigue—and the most cost-effective marketing. Neighborhoods become more desirable when artists live there. Let artists help make new cities the hot places to live.

Talent as an Anchor Tenant: New Cities to Support the Digital Economy

As the digital economy reshapes global development, world-class universities are emerging as critical anchors for new city ecosystems. This session explores how the convergence of higher education, research, and technology can drive urban growth—positioning university-centered developments as launchpads for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digitally-enabled industries. From attracting top talent to fostering startup ecosystems, these hybrid hubs are redefining what it means to build a city around knowledge.

Catapult Session 4

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

Managing and Mitigating City Project Risks

Building a new city is a high-stakes venture—politically, financially, and environmentally. This session delves into the biggest risks facing city projects, from geopolitical shifts and regulatory hurdles to financial volatility and social backlash. Learn from experts about the strategies that de-risk new urban developments and ensure long-term resilience.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Building Sherbro: Inside West Africa’s Boldest City-Building Project

What happens when global star power meets ambitious urban development? In this exclusive interview, The Daily Telegraph’s Adrian Blomfield sits down with Siaka Stevens, co-founder and CEO of Sherbro Island City, a bold initiative to transform a remote island off the coast of Sierra Leone into a world-class destination for business, culture, and tourism. Backed by actor and entrepreneur Idris Elba, the project aims to pioneer a new model of African development—one rooted in local leadership, international investment, and long-term sustainability. Stevens will share insights into the public-private vision driving the city’s creation, the hurdles faced in turning a concept into reality, and what Sherbro could mean for the future of private cities across the continent.

Cities as an Asset Class: Investing in New Cities

As new cities emerge across the globe, a critical question is taking shape: can cities themselves be treated as an investable asset class? This session brings together investors, developers, and policy experts to explore the financial models, risk frameworks, and governance structures that make large-scale urban development viable. From revenue-backed infrastructure to public-private partnerships, we’ll examine how to unlock long-term value while building the cities of the future.

Closing Remarks and Logistics Announcements

We’ll wrap up the first day of NCS 2025 with reflections on key themes, standout moments, and what’s ahead. This short session will also include important logistical announcements to help guide your evening plans and prepare you for Day 2.

Break Time

NXT50 Cities Coalition Cocktail Hour

Join us for an exclusive NXT50 Cocktail Hour at the end of Day 1 of the New Cities Summit. This event gathers NXT50 Coalition Members focused on the future of urban development, providing a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and foster meaningful change. You don’t want to miss this moment. Become an NXT50 member today: www.chartercitiesinstitute.org/nxt50

Gala Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Corey Gray, President, Smart Cities Council

Registration

For those joining us for the first time, stop by the registration desk to collect your badge and event materials. Our team will be on hand to assist you and answer any questions. If you attended Day 1, take this time to reconnect with fellow delegates over coffee before we dive into another day of insightful discussions and networking.

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.

Closed Session: New Cities White Paper Roundtable

Given both the opportunities and challenges facing Africa's urban development across more than fifty countries, the Charter Cities Institute and the Africa Infrastructure Development Association are creating a comprehensive roadmap to guide both new city development and the scaling of existing small cities. This roadmap will address the key challenges and opportunities identified during our discussions. Our goal is to gather and synthesize input from all stakeholders: government bodies, private investors, development finance institutions, urban planners, civil society organizations, and most crucially, the citizens who will inhabit these cities.

Silicon Zanzibar: Building an Urban Knowledge Economy

Zanzibar is making bold moves to position itself as a rising hub for Africa’s digital and knowledge economies. This session explores the vision behind “Silicon Zanzibar,” with a spotlight on Fumba Town—a pioneering sustainable city development at the heart of the island’s tech transformation. From talent attraction and policy innovation to infrastructure and lifestyle, we examine how Zanzibar is crafting a new model for globally connected, tech-powered urbanism in the Global South.

Building Smart, Sustainable, and Climate-Resilient Cities

What does it take to build cities that are not only smart, but livable and future-ready? This session explores how smart technologies, sustainable planning, and resilient design are coming together in the next generation of urban developments. From infrastructure and mobility to governance and land use, we’ll discuss how cities can adapt to rapid change while staying inclusive, efficient, and environmentally sound.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

Catapult: Session 5

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

Africa Urban Economic Freedom Think Tank Roundtable

This open roundtable convenes leading African think tanks to explore policy-driven solutions to the continent’s urban challenges. With a focus on market-friendly approaches to housing, infrastructure, land use, and job creation, the session will surface fresh ideas and pragmatic strategies for shaping the next generation of African cities. Attendees are invited to join a lively, solutions-oriented conversation at the intersection of policy, research, and urban development.

Keynote: John Mwendwa, Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority

Keynote: Geoengineering 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

Take a break to enjoy a delicious meal featuring local flavors. This is your chance to recharge, connect with fellow delegates, and continue the conversations sparked by the morning sessions in a relaxed setting.

Academic Session on Urban Governance in African Cities

Convened by Africa Urban Lab, this academic session brings together leading researchers and practitioners to examine the evolving landscape of urban governance in African cities. With a focus on decentralization, spatial planning, and inclusive service delivery, the session will surface research-driven insights into how governance structures are responding to the continent’s rapid urbanization. Presentations will draw on case studies from across Africa, offering a grounded look at the opportunities and constraints shaping urban futures.

Ideas of India Live Recording: Charter Cities for India

India’s rapid urbanization demands bold solutions. This live recording of Shruti Rajagopalan's Ideas of India podcast explores the potential of charter cities in India—examining governance models, economic incentives, and policy innovations that could enable dynamic new urban centers to flourish across the subcontinent.

Catapult Session 6

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

Catapult Session 7

In each Catapult session, pioneering urban development projects take center stage, pitching their vision to a panel of expert mentors. From new city ventures and special economic zones to next-generation infrastructure and digital governance models, each project will receive direct feedback, strategic insights, and potential pathways for acceleration. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or urban innovator, Catapult offers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping the next generation of cities.

The Business of Doing Good: Philanthropy to Drive Human Prosperity

As cities compete to attract talent, tourism, and investment, entertainment and hospitality are emerging as core drivers of urban growth—not just add-ons. This session explores how music, nightlife, sports, and culture are reshaping the economic and spatial logic of new cities. From lifestyle-led developments to creative economy zones, we’ll examine how experience and place-making are becoming strategic tools in the new urban economy.

Coffee Break

Enjoy a refreshing break with delicious locally sourced coffee and a selection of snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow delegates, exchange ideas, and discuss key insights from the previous sessions.

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.

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.

What's Next for New Cities?

As the Summit draws to a close, what are the biggest lessons, trends, and opportunities shaping the future of new cities? In this forward-looking fireside chat, Preston Mendenhall synthesizes key insights from the event while issuing a call to action for developers, policymakers, and investors. What must happen next to turn bold ideas into reality? How can we accelerate the growth of thriving, dynamic urban ecosystems like Tatu City? Join us for a high-energy conclusion that charts the path forward for the global new cities movement.

Closing Remarks

As NCS 2025 draws to a close, Dr. Mark Lutter will offer closing reflections on the summit’s key themes, insights, and next steps. As founder of the Charter Cities Institute, Lutter brings a sharp perspective on the path from bold ideas to real-world impact. This final session will distill lessons from two days of rich dialogue and set the tone for continued collaboration beyond the summit.

Reserved for you to explore Kenya

Saturday, June 13th has been reserved for you to explore Kenya’s vibrant landscapes, iconic wildlife, and innovative urban developments. We’ve partnered with Blue Lilac Tours & Travel and Tatu City to offer four bespoke excursions exclusively for Summit delegates. Choose from a thrilling game drive through Nairobi National Park paired with a guided city tour, an up-close encounter with giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, a full-day safari to the breathtaking Amboseli National Park, or a behind-the-scenes look at one of Africa’s most successful new city developments with a half-day tour of Tatu City. You can find tour excursion options below.


Nairobi National Park & City Tour


Nairobi National Park & Giraffe Centre


Day Trip to Amboseli National Park


Explore Tatu City