Transforming Transportation 2015, co-organized by EMBARQ and the World Bank, will explore how smart cities can boost inclusive economic growth and quality of life as part of the global development agenda. Photo by Mariana Gil/EMBARQ Brasil.
The Transforming Transportation 2015 (#TTDC15) conference is fast approaching, and TheCityFix is inviting you to join the discussion! This year’s conference will focus on Smart Cities for Shared Prosperity, and will examine how smart, connected urban mobility can improve quality of life in cities. Sessions will address how the upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will impact urban transport, with an emphasis on data and technology, governance, and international financial flows. Registration is free and open to all.
Now in its twelfth year, Transforming Transportation is co-organized by EMBARQ – the producer of TheCityFix – and the World Bank. The event convenes high-level decision makers and technical experts to advance environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable urban mobility solutions. More information and a full agenda for this year’s conference are available at www.transformingtransportation.org.
Highlighted speakers include:
- Felipe Calderón, former President of Mexico, current Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate (keynote speaker)
- Robin Chase, Founder of Zipcar, Buzzcar, and GoLoco
- Pierre Guislain, Senior Director of Transport and ICT, World Bank
- Miguel Ángel Mancera, Mayor of Mexico City
- Janette Sadik-Khan, former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, current Principal, Bloomberg Associates
- Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the World Resources Institute
- Jose Viegas, Secretary General, International Transport Forum (ITF)
2015 is a year of opportunity for cities and transport
Transforming Transportation 2015 comes at a pivotal time, kicking off a year of utmost importance for the global sustainable development agenda. Landmark global decisions in the next year provide significant opportunities to advance sustainable urban mobility and improve quality of life for billions of urban residents worldwide. Two of the biggest opportunities to create smart, inclusive, and prosperous cities will frame the discussions at TTDC15.
First, following the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that set the global development agenda for the last 15 years, 2015 will see the induction of a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the first time, this agenda includes an explicit focus on reducing global poverty and inequality through cities, with the latest SDG draft including a goal to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable.” While the SDGs will be ratified at the national level, in many ways they will be felt at the local level. City leaders have an important role to play in advancing these global targets for development and sustainability and creating on-the-ground change.
Another major opportunity for sustainable cities in 2015 relates to the global fight against climate change. The COP21 climate negotiations in Paris in December 2015 are expected to produce the first binding, international agreement on combating climate change. As home to 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, cities will be major players in making climate pledges a reality. On top of that, transport is the fastest growing sector for emissions and a major contributor to city-level emissions. Dialogues surrounding cities and climate change throughout 2015 will shape the future of our cities and provide a platform for advancing sustainable urban transport.
TTDC15 will complement these discussions with sessions focused on boosting inclusive economic development in cities, creating safer streets for all, promoting connected urban development, and more.
Join the discussion: TTDC15 wants YOU to become a presenter!
TTDC15 is inviting you to put your big ideas for the future of sustainable urban development and mobility in the spotlight. This year, the program will feature two PechaKucha style sessions showcasing innovations for mobility and urban development in smart cities. If you think you know ‘what’s next’ in sustainable urban mobility, now is the time to share your ideas. Pitch your PechaKucha today!
Registration for TTDC15 is free but mandatory, and don’t forget to participate on social media at #TTDC15. For more information, please visit www.transformingtransportation.org. We look forward to seeing you in January!
Editor’s note 12/23/2014: Earlier versions of this article listed a different set of featured speakers. This list has been updated with the latest confirmed speakers. For a full list, please visit www.transformingtransportation.org/speakers.
