Global Sustainable Cities: Cities and Our Environmental Future

Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and this share is expected to increase in the coming decades. With growing urbanization, cities and their residents face substantial environmental challenges such as higher temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and increased flooding. In response to these pressing challenges, some cities have begun to develop local environmental regulations that supplement national and environmental laws. Experts from around the globe take stock of the policies that leading cities in the global north and south are taking to lessen the impacts of climate change and secure a more sustainable urban future.

This program is timed to coincide with the release of Global Sustainable Cities (NYU Press, 2023), a new book that is a collaborative effort of NYU’s faculty in New York City and Abu Dhabi. The book includes first-hand accounts of recent environmental initiatives adopted by Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Delhi, London, New York, and Shanghai.

*Panel is in formation

This event is open to the general public. Registration is required. All attendees must be prepared to present proof of compliance with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements if asked to do so.

Panel Members

• Harry den Hartog, Professor, Tongji University, Shanghai
• Hu Tao, Director, Lakestone Institute for Sustainable Development
• Dan Zarrilli, Special Advisor on Climate and Sustainability Issues, Columbia University; Former Chief Climate Policy Advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Individuals
• Wolfram von Heynitz, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany New York, Individuals
• Elena De Nictolis, Post-Doctoral Global Fellow, NYU School of Law

Opening Remarks

• John Coughlin, Global Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies and Law, NYUAD

Moderated by

• Danielle Spiegel-Feld, Executive Director and Adjunct Professor of Law, Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy & Land Use Law, NYU School of Law
• Katrina Wyman, Wilf Family Professor of Property Law, NYU School of Law

In Collaboration with