Why do we fear failure?

Sustainability is an iterative process. There are no shortcuts. But in a world focussed on success, we often hide from our mistakes.

Recognising this, Gerald Babel-Sutter set out to unite urban change-makers in an environment where they could confidently share their pitfalls, problems, and brick walls.

The idea caught on. What started out as a workshop for around 50 people quickly grew into a full-blown conference – and stories of prominent eff-ups are a real mainstay.

Featuring: Gerald Babel-Sutter, Maria Vassilakou

Elected officials make decisions that affect millions of people, but beyond voting every few years, what say do citizens really have? Maybe democracy needs a tune-up. A citizens’ assembly – a sort of lottery promising better representation – can bring diverse voices to the table. Copenhagen has already given it a go, and the change in perspectives it brought about have been… surprising.

Featuring: Johan Galster, James Macdonald-Nelson

Moving an entire city? It’s not science fiction. Faced with an existential crisis, the city of Kiruna, in Sweden, is being relocated approximately three kilometres away from where it was founded – brick by brick. The whole process raises some interesting questions: how exactly do you undertake such a massive task? What do you bring with you from the old city? What do you build from scratch? And what can other cities learn from the experience – the ones that are staying put?

Featuring: Brenda Cooper, Johanna Lindgren Ringholt, Peter Pääjärvi, Viktoria Walldin, Krister Lindstedt