Conditions of the future will hinge on how well we have respected the earth’s carrying capacity and responded to environmental change. We must therefore ensure efficient use of and equal access to the earth’s resources in the present if we expect to build a sustainable future for the next generations. Cities are, and will continue to be, the epicenters of resource distribution and climate change control. The state of cities will also determine most people’s quality of life. This is why local governments must invest in solutions that plan for and adjust to the conditions anticipated for the year 2050.

The four congress themes, which will form the core of presentations and debate, represent the most critical issues facing cities:

• Eco-efficiency: More with less
• Resilience: Stability through flexibiltiy
• Green Economy: Prosperity through change
• Happiness: Well-being as wealth