Brief overview : More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. While cities and metropolitan areas contribute about 60 percent of global GDP, they also account for about 70 percent of global carbon emissions. Many cities are struggling with traffic congestion, pollution, carbon emission, extreme weather and inadequate urban development. ‘Sustainable cities and communities’ – making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set up by the United Nation. Academics from the University of Tokyo and University of Cambridge are keen to contribute to the global research of sustainability. In this symposium, seven speakers from different disciplines – engineering, economics, architecture and climate science, are invited to present and discuss the latest research on sustainable cities. The session will cover topics from the future of mobility, urban development, to buildings and real estate markets. We would like to invite you to join this essential conversation among leading experts in this area, to build your understanding of one of the most unprecedented challenges faced by humanity.