Washington, D.C. and New York, NY, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next week CityLab Detroit, the preeminent global cities summit organized by the Aspen Institute, The Atlantic, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to address the most urgent urban issues, will be held in Detroit from October 28-30. This is the first time the sixth annual event will take place in a heartland city—prior summits were hosted by Paris, Miami, London, Los Angeles, and New York—and will draw inspiration from the people and issues unique to the region.
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City from 2002-2013 and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, will announce the winners of the U.S. Mayors Challenge during the opening remarks at this year’s event. The Mayors Challenge is a yearlong competition that challenged city leaders to uncover and test bold, inventive ideas to confront the toughest problems faced by cities. The winning cities will receive support to begin implementation on potentially breakthrough solutions to homelessness, the opioid crisis, mobility, climate change, and economic opportunity.
Limited media credentials are available for CityLab, and must be arranged in advance. Full details and a schedule are available. For more information, please contact Anna Bross (anna@theatlantic.com).
CityLab was founded on the principle that the most important innovation is happening at the local level and that global impact can be achieved when cities share solutions. CityLab Detroit will be attended by dozens of mayors from the U.S. and cities around the world, along with the leading city innovators, business leaders, urban experts, artists, and activists. Featured speakers and sessions include:
- Mary Barra, CEO & Chairman of General Motors, interviewed by David Bradley, Chairman of Atlantic Media.
- Hannah Beachler, production designer of films like Black Panther and Moonlight, on telling the story of a city in film.
- Remarks from Michael R. Bloomberg, three-term mayor of New York City, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Mayors Mike Duggan of Detroit; Jenny Durkan of Seattle; and Melvin Carter of St. Paul, on what cities are doing to build inclusive economies.
- A look at the global techno movement born in Detroit, and the inspiration a musician can draw from a city, with producer and recording artist Kevin Saunderson.
- A conversation on how universities can work together to create equal access to higher education, with Ana Mari Cauce of the University of Washington, Mark Schlissel of the University of Michigan, and Mary Schmidt Campbell of Spelman College.
- President Kersti Kaljulaid of the Republic of Estonia, which is the most digital government in the world.
- Maurice Cox, director of Planning & Development Department for the city of Detroit, on reinventing a city.
- A session on how cities are making space for mobility, with former CEO of Zipcar Robin Chase and Scott Kubly, chief programs officer at Limebike.
CityLab Detroit will take place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. CityLab attendees will also tour a number of sites in Detroit, including Eastern Market, the Real-Time Crime Center, The Tiny Homes Neighborhood and the Empowerment Plan, art installation Mirage Detroit, and Michigan Central Station.
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CITYLAB DETROIT 2018 – DETAILS:
- What: CityLab Detroit: A partnership between the Aspen Institute, The Atlantic, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, CityLab is the preeminent meeting of city leaders and the top minds in urbanism and city planning, economics, education, art and architecture, community development, and business—convened with the goal of creating scalable solutions to major challenges faced by cities everywhere.
- Where: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Drive
- When: October 28-30, 2018
Social Media: Follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with #CityLab2018, @AtlanticLIVE and @AspenInstitute, @BloombergDotOrg
Mayors Attending:
- Domestic: Birmingham, Alabama; Anchorage, Alaska; Long Beach, California; San Jose, California; Stockton, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Fort Collins, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Gary, Indiana; South Bend, Indiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lansing, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New Rochelle, New York; St. Paul, Minnesota; St. Louis, Missouri; Henderson, Nevada; Camden, New Jersey; Paterson, New Jersey; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Durham, North Carolina; Akron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; Georgetown, Texas; Tacoma, Washington; Seattle, Washington; Huntington, West Virginia; Cheyenne, Wyoming.
- International: Santiago, Chile; Athens, Greece; Palermo, Italy; Braga, Portugal; Sintra, Portugal; Utrecht, Netherlands.
About the Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
About The Atlantic
Founded in 1857 and today one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry, The Atlantic has throughout its history championed the power of big ideas and continues to shape global debate across print, digital, events, video, and audio platforms. With its award-winning digital presence TheAtlantic.com and CityLab.com on cities around the world, The Atlantic is a multimedia forum on the most critical issues of our times—from politics, global, and the economy, to technology, arts, and culture. Bob Cohn is president of The Atlantic and Jeffrey Goldberg is editor in chief. Emerson Collective is majority owner; Atlantic Media is the minority operating owner of The Atlantic.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $702 million. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.