The inaugural Urban Climate Future Lab Days session brings together members of our international advisory board to examine the important connections between social justice, urban transformation, and climate change. The event features a keynote lecture by Prof. Philippa Tumubweinee (University of Cape Town, African Centre for Cities), whose work addresses the challenges and possibilities of designing climate-resilient, inclusive cities.

In her keynote, Prof. Tumubweinee will examine emerging models of urban adaptation, innovative governance approaches, and the central role of communities in shaping resilient urban futures. Her interdisciplinary insights, grounded in both research and real-world practice, aim to reframe how we understand climate vulnerability and agency in the urban context.

Following the keynote, members of the UCFL International Advisory Board will offer thought-provoking reflections on the themes presented. Their perspectives, drawn from diverse disciplinary and geographic backgrounds, will engage critically with the keynote, highlighting tensions, alternative frameworks, and future directions for urban climate resilience. This conversation will spark a dynamic, cross-sectoral exchange on the complexity of urban futures in a changing climate.

The session will include an interactive Q&A, where attendees can pose questions. This format invites public engagement and fosters a rich, inclusive dialogue across perspectives, disciplines, and regions.

To conclude, Prof. Vanessa Carlow will offer closing reflections, synthesizing the key takeaways and highlighting the importance of continued collaboration across sectors and scales.

This session is designed not only to inform but to challenge assumptions and catalyze new thinking, offering participants an opportunity to shape more just, sustainable, and climate-ready urban futures.