The conference aims to create a platform for interaction and knowledge exchange among the key actors involved in urban development issues, namely:

(a) citizens and policy makers;

(b) scientific community;

and(c) industry and local stakeholders.

This interaction will support the building of bonds of both horizontal nature (within the above groups, e.g. cities, industry, academia) and vertical nature (among cities, academia and industry), opening up a range of new opportunities and challenges for future cooperation.