Urban Innovators Changing our Cities

When it comes to re-imagining cities, we need visionary leaders who are willing to embrace change. We also need innovators – the creative individuals who have an extraordinary urban idea, the conviction to see it through, and the determination to make it work, for the benefit of society.

Each year, NewCities picks out 10 of the most forward-thinking innovators from across the globe who are making a difference in cities. We invite them to be part of WhatWorks, our dynamic series of short-talks, presented at the NewCities Summit, our annual event on the future of the urban world.

This Year’s Lineup of Urban Innovators

From creative energy solutions in Belgrade to women’s social enterprise in Delhi, this year’s lineup of 2014 WhatWorks innovators is almost complete. Check out their profiles!

• David Auerbach, Founder, Sanergy, Nairobi – an organization that strives to make hygienic sanitation affordable and accessible throughout Africa’s informal settlements
• Scott Crouch, Founder/CEO, Mark43, the creator of cutting-edge tools for local law enforcement, providing essential data and mapping on gang members and helping prevent crime
• Mohamed Hage, Founder, Lufa Farms, Montreal – an urban farm with the world’s first commercial rooftop greenhouse, aiming to change the way cities eat
• Chad Houser, Executive Director, Café Momentum, Dallas – a restaurant training platform that provides post-release paid internships for juvenile offenders
• Miloš Milisavljević, Founder, Strawberry Energy, Belgrade – creators of the first free public solar charger for phones, tablets and multi-media players, which also sparks serendipitous connections between city dwellers
• Meenu Vadera, Founder, Sakha Consulting Wings, Delhi – a social enterprise aimed at providing safe transport solutions for women, by women, in urban India
• Su Yunsheng, Entrepreneur and President of Etopia , a pioneering architecture and design platform specializing in sustainable construction.

Showcasing Urban Innovations at the NewCities Summit

This June 17-19, our WhatWorks innovators will join the 800 international participants at the NewCities Summit, which takes place in the Dallas Arts District, Texas.

Each innovator will have 6 minutes to captivate the audience with the story of their urban innovation project, and how it has transformed their urban community.

By picking out the most talented innovators for WhatWorks, our aim is to demonstrate what works in cities to the leaders, thinkers, and doers at the NewCities Summit. In doing so, we hope to inspire cities worldwide to adapt, scale and replicate their projects, for the benefit of all.