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Jeff Merritt

Jeff Merritt | Global Brain Economy Initiative San Francisco, United States of America

Biography

Jeff Merritt has spent 25+ years building and leading global initiatives at the intersection of economic development, technology, sustainability and social impact. Most recently, he led urban transformation at the World Economic Forum, launching efforts such as Yes/Cities and the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance. Previously, as New York City’s first Director of Innovation, he helped make NYC a global leader in urban innovation, pioneering public-private partnerships such as LinkNYC. He currently advises efforts to advance the emerging brain economy and new models for place-based growth.

Sessions

11:40h

High-Level Roundtable | SMART CITY EXPO Enabling Technologies Governance & Economy Infrastructure & Building

What Does A Resilient City Look Like in 2050?

Martha Thorne Gallery Institute - Moderator

Jeff Merritt Global Brain Economy Initiative Advisor Chair

Christine Lemaitre Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen - DGNB - German Sustainable Building Council Chief Executive Officer Chair

Michael Flynn Deloitte - Chair

2026-11-03 11:40 2026-11-03 12:25 Europe/Madrid What Does A Resilient City Look Like in 2050?

As cities adapt to growing pressures such as climate change and population growth, urban leaders must rethink infrastructure, buildings, and energy systems to build safer, more sustainable, and future-ready urban environments. Built on today’s breakthroughs and tomorrow’s innovations, what lies ahead is both ambitious and fast approaching. Yet making this vision a reality will require the right funding models and strategic partnerships. This plenary explores what resilient urban infrastructure could look like by 2050, and how AI, energy systems, adaptive design principles, and new models of collaboration may reshape the future of urban life.

Main Stage

Tue 3

11:40h - 12:25h Main Stage Visitor Pass not allowed