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The Cities Hub & Bar is where urban innovation meets practical action. Taking place at Excel London on 23-24 June 2026 as part of Reset Connect London, this hub brings together urban planners, policymakers, architects, local leaders and sustainability experts to explore projects transforming cities into greener, more resilient and community-focused spaces.
From low-carbon infrastructure and smart city innovations to sustainable housing, green mobility and nature-based solutions, this hub offers a platform to discover initiatives that prioritise both climate action and social impact. The hub also hosts dedicated sessions for the sustainable events industry, providing a space to share updates, case studies and best practices for climate-conscious events.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Explore strategies for building resilient, low-carbon cities through smart planning, green infrastructure and sustainable urban design
- Discover investment models and funding opportunities to drive climate resilience, urban regeneration and inclusive development
- Learn how cities are adopting low-emission mobility, active travel and smart transport systems to reduce urban carbon footprints
- Connect with policymakers, businesses and communities to scale sustainable, equitable and climate-ready solutions
Across two days of interactive discussions, case studies and in-person sessions, you will gain practical insight into shaping urban environments that balance environmental performance, social equity and long-term resilience.
Cities Hub & Bar
Day 1
10:00
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EIT Urban Mobility is a European initiative that turns innovative ideas into real-world solutions to make cities more liveable, sustainable and connected. It brings together cities, companies, startup …
10:30
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In conversation with The British Academy and Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership In our current highly polarised social and political context, coming together to centre people and place in approaches …
11:00
11:30
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Embodied carbon can't be offset after the fact — and for major infrastructure programmes, it's become a delivery constraint, not a reporting footnote. This session cuts to what actually shifted, what …
12:00
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Join Mark Parry and Nicola Bridge from the Ocean Conservation Trust as they discuss the powerful role the Ocean and people play in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises. The Ocean is one of o …
12:30
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Carbon targets alone do not create sustainable places. As we face the urgent need to decarbonise, we must not lose sight of what makes places truly successful. By exploring our estates as ecosystems, …
14:00
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Improving building performance and decarbonising the built environment is a complex challenge. Paul Lynch, Head of V-Zero at VINCI Facilities, discusses why your Facilities Management provider is alre …
14:30
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Anna will cover the need for our cities to become more resilient to our future climate and the practical steps that can be taken by businesses and the public sector
15:00
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Across commercial real estate, as much as 40% of electricity is wasted, often completely invisible to sustainability teams. This talk reveals where that waste comes from, why it persists despite net …
15:30
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This session shares how Southwark Council is using digital tools to mainstream climate adaptation into council delivery. It highlights practical examples, including addressing overheating in council h …
16:00
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ACT-Now™, curated by Andrew Cowen, CEO, The Future Care (UK) Ltd, is an initiative to support the drafting of a UK/England Residential Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Standard. ACT-Now™ was successfully laun …
Day 2
10:00
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A Canadian worker-owned cooperative and certified B Corp, SSG builds digital tools that have been used to create hundreds of municipal and regional climate plans. This fast-paced Pecha Kucha walks thr …
10:30
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The Future Energy and Water Systems Team in the London borough of Tower Hamlets is currently developing a new water offset scheme to mitigate the water impacts of new development to be delivered under …
11:00
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Join me to discuss turning ESG ambition to drive operational resilience and leverage competitive advantage. With the backdrop of significant challenges of ESG investments competing with short term bus …
11:30
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We will dive into the mechanics behind the extraordinary impact of ReSpace's REinsTate Project - the gold standard in commons led regeneration and I'll be talking about why the message behind it is vi …
13:00
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The Royal Docks is London’s only Enterprise Zone, with over 36,000 new homes and 55,000 new jobs profiled to be developed over the next few decades, alongside existing communities and a unique anchor …Speakers
14:00
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The most common reason for retrofit projects to stall revolves around the financing of retrofit projects in today's market. Sustainable Retrofit Architect Natalie Black and homeowner, retrofit advocate and TEDx speaker Judith Leary-Joyce discuss ideas to support the able-to-pay homeowner to get from their dream project to a warm and cosy home fit for the future. Together, they champion natural, breathable materials that improve indoor air quality, reduce environmental impact and create healthier living spaces. With the renovation market estimated at £11.2 billion in the UK in 2024, how can the able-to-pay homeowner be incentivised to incorporate responsible retrofit in every whole-house refurbishment?
14:30
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Join the Innovation team from Leeds Beckett as they explore how environmental and operational data can be translated into better decision-making across a city region. Using real-world examples, includ …Sponsored by:Leeds Beckett University
15:00
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This is not another theory session. In 30 minutes, you’ll get a quick, practical introduction to the Actionable Consensus Framework (ACF) – a method for lubricating the municipal machinery so that stu …
15:30
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Sustainability is increasingly judged by outcomes rather than intentions. As businesses navigate economic uncertainty, geopolitical volatility, rising costs and growing stakeholder scrutiny, how can o …
