Last week, the UT-City Climate CoLab had the incredible opportunity to travel to Paris and collaborate with UNESCO to discuss the future of sustainable cities. This visit was a testament to how art, culture, science, and technology can come together to shape the urban environments of tomorrow.
Our workshop on Open Data for Sustainable Cities was a huge success, bringing together experts from across the globe, including representatives from Austin, Porto, Kathmandu, The Hague, Essex, Singapore, Pune, and Latin American cities. Together, we explored the power of open data, AI, and community-academic partnerships to create solutions for disaster risk reduction, carbon neutrality, and sustainable urban planning.
Paris served as the perfect backdrop, inspiring us not only with its rich history and culture but also with its commitment to integrating modern science and technology into city development. These conversations laid the foundation for future collaborations, and we’re excited to expand partnerships across continents in the coming months.
As we reflect on the outcomes, we’re reminded of the importance of engaging communities and academia in creating “smart” cities—not just filled with technology but designed with human connection, sustainability, and resilience at their core.
Thank you to UNESCO and all our partners for an inspiring week. As we move forward, we look ahead to publishing the results of the Paris Olympics research demonstration project and exploring new opportunities, including partnerships for the LA Olympics.
Here’s to creating a future where cities are not only sustainable but also places of connection and inspiration. Until next time, Paris!
