SOW 2016 Launch DC 

Please join the Worldwatch Institute for the release of State of the World 2016: Can a City be Sustainable? on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Reception to follow.

Did you mean to register for the online live webcast instead? Please register for the webcast here.

Cities are the world’s future. Today, more than half of the global population—3.9 billion people—are urban dwellers and that number is expected to double by 2050. There is no question cities are growing; the only debate is over how they will grow. Will we invest in the physical and social infrastructure necessary for livable, equitable, and sustainable cities? 

In the latest edition of State of the World, experts from around the globe examine the core principles of sustainable urbanism and profile cities that are putting them into practice. We first put our current moment in context, tracing cities in the arc of human history, and examine the basic structural elements of every city: materials and fuels, people and economics, and biodiversity.

We examine cross-cutting issues that affect the success of all cities. Topics range from the nitty-gritty of handling waste and developing public transportation to civic participation and navigating dysfunctional government.

Throughout, we will discover the most pressing challenges facing communities and the most promising solutions currently being developed. The result is a snapshot of cities today and a vision for global urban sustainability tomorrow.

Agenda: