Objective
This day-long programme focuses on capacities needed for expanding climate and innovation agendas for cities based on a human-needs perspective. Therefore, it encourages collaborative, evidence-based and solution-export-oriented capacity development initiatives that “meet cities where they are" and are aimed at engaging all stakeholders in an equitable way to promote innovation that departs from optimizing current systems and facilitates a larger transformation of these systems within our cities. The main objectives are:
- To raise awareness of the importance and co-benefits of human needs-centered, demand-driven, and agenda-setting innovation for climate action in cities;
- To inspire participants to think creatively and critically about how to apply agenda-setting innovation in their contexts and domains;
- To provide participants with practical tools and methods for conducting multistakeholder innovation processes;
- To facilitate knowledge exchange and networking among participants and session organizers and identify potential areas for collaboration and learning.
- To build on the idea of the importance of climate and social justice and how innovative networks can shift power dynamics and lift the voices of the most vulnerable and excluded groups in climate planning and governance.
Topics
The CapaCITIES Day will feature discussions and examples of multi-actor capacity-building initiatives and efforts that promote the co-creation of solutions with all actors, including local governments, businesses, incubators, startups, youth, artists, researchers, local communities and more, and that demonstrate creativity, innovation and a strong focus on addressing human needs together with climate action.
As part of the CapaCITIES Day agenda:
- United Nations University – Institute of Environment and Human Security and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, in collaboration with their partners, including Mission Innovation, will showcase human needs-centered, agenda-setting and demand-based approaches.
- Building Capacity for Demand-Driven Technology and Innovation in Cities, by the Climate Technology Centre & Network. Discussing ways to address capacity-building needs and opportunities for scaling transformational climate technologies at the urban level;
- Nature-based Approaches for Establishing Resilient Cities: Case Studies, Best Practices, and Co-benefits, by CliMates. Illustrating the importance of building resilient cities by promoting nature-based approaches and establishing mutually reinforcing city-to-city networks for information exchange and interaction;
- Cities Reimagined: The Path to Greener, More Resilient and Inclusive Cities, by the Katowice Committee of Experts on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures. Discussing the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures on just transitions in the urban sector, including identifying specific social and economic challenges faced in undertaking just transition in cities and potential solutions to those challenges.
- CapaCITY Through Co-Creation: Comparing Transformational Processes of Capability Development for Urban Resilience, by SouthSouthNorth. Highlighting the importance of co-creation approaches to effectively enhance the resilience of the urban poor to climate impacts in cities of the global South to ensure their continued social and economic development despite shocks and stresses;
- Playing the City Game, by NABAD Consulting and KAWN. Breaking some boundaries and silos using gamification to showcase how to make urban sustainability issues more relatable, digestible, and actionable;
The unveiling of the photo exhibition, "Co-creating the Cities We Deserve," is set to take place on CapaCITIES day at the Capacity-building Hub. This exhibition underscores the significance of utilizing photography, videography and visual arts as powerful tools to inspire communities globally. It aims to reinforce capacities and foster collaborative efforts, steering us towards a more sustainable and resilient urban future.
Furthermore, the day will conclude with a high-level closing plenary session. During this session, key messages derived from various segments of the day will be conveyed to the audience. Distinguished experts and officials will also share pivotal insights, highlighting key takeaways that can be strategically implemented by relevant actors in different contexts beyond the event.
