Cities and metropolitan areas have become the greatest motor of global economic growth and development and generate 80% of global GDP. Their economic and demographic capacity is at once an opportunity and a responsibility for governments, entrepreneurs and society in general. The science of the city was conceived with the aim of providing a joined-up sustainable response from an urban perspective to global challenges such as energy, transport, the environment, inequality, social cohesion, security, education and participative democracy.

The overall objectives of the project “Global Cities, Local Solutions” hinge upon generating and publishing knowledge with a scientific foundation that leads the world in the innovation, management and application of urban policies designed to tackle urban challenges (energy and transport; the environment; the creative economy; inclusion, cohesion and security; education; urban globalisation; and participative democracy), improve the quality of life and increase the participation of citizens and entrepreneurs in the process of transformation and social change towards the creation of a more sustainable, inclusive, happy city; and setting up the foundation of an international network of think tanks that tackle the issue of city development and management at a global scale.

This meeting aims at setting up the foundation of a global network of think tanks and research institutes working around city and urban development.