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.

Art and the Importance of Placemaking

In this fast-moving spotlight talk, GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij explores how art can anchor identity, inspire belonging, and shape the emotional fabric of new cities. Drawing on his unique perspective at the intersection of technology, community, and visionary projects, Sid makes the case for why placemaking isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategic necessity for building cities that endure.

Talent as an Anchor Tenant: Universities and 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.

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

Gala Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Corey Gray, President, Smart Cities Council