Ecocity World Summit

Nantes, France
Ecocity Builders
Nantes Metropole
Cité Nantes

Following on from Montreal, Istanbul, San Francisco, Bangalore, Shenzhen, Curitiba, Dakar, Adelaide and Berkeley, it will be the first edition to be held in the European Union.
This 10th edition positions «the city as a vital area of work to grapple with the global sustainability issues».
One year after Rio + 20, ECOCITY 2013 must be a platform to accelerate the transition on a global scale, in partnership with the United Nations. ECOCITY 2013 will be a unique opportunity to organize dialogue between the bearers of a European urban development model and their counterparts in other continents.




GENERAL THEME
Under the heading «the city as a vital area of work to grapple with the global sustainability issues», the Conference will serve as a platform to accelerate change at a global level in partnership with the United Nations. It will be followed by the Summit of the Mexico City Pact Signatories on Saturday 28 September. The two events are very complementary.
ECOCITY will take shape over the 3 days with the Summit and the Exhibition designed as «the ideal place to showcase solutions for sustainable cities» and innovation.

SPECIFIC THEMES
More than 50% of the world population live in cities. Cities crystallize the challenges of sustainable development in the context of an ecological, financial and societal crisis: water, food, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, social relationships, jobs, land, biodiversity and ecological footprint. Only the sum of local solutions will produce global effects.
There is an urgent need to act on a number of indicators which have reached critical thresholds, notably emissions of greenhouse gases, water and biodiversity of which cities are the main source. 
The programme of ECOCITY 2013 is based on 4 priority challenges for sustainable cities:
1. Financing
Economic and financial challenges related to the transition towards sustainable cities with zero environmental impact, cohesive and socially inclusive cities, in times of crisis.
2. Governing
Legal, legislative and regulatory issues, challenges in terms of governance, participation and public support.
3. Thinking
Scientific issues and questions that must be addressed constructively by researchers.
4. Shaping
Scientific issues and questions that must be addressed constructively by researchers.

ORGANIZATION
The Summit will propose various types of meetings and exchanges:
•  Plenary sessions and round tables;
•  Interactive sessions in theatre-style rooms;
•  Applied research showcase;
•  Knowledge corner;
• Public session;
• Exhibition;
• B to B meetings;
• ECOCITY coffee discussion groups based on the concept of philosophy cafés,
• Cultural sessions.

EXHIBITION 
The ECOCITY 2013 exhibition will be staged in the Great Hall of La Cité Nantes Events Center.
It is designed as «the ideal place to showcase solutions for Sustainable Cities». Located in the middle of the venue, where all delegates meet, the Exhibition will serve as a catalyst in an upbeat and friendly atmosphere. 

FOR MORE INFORMATIONS AND CONTACTS 
ECOCITY Website