A Strategic Approach to City Development and Investment 
  
Urbanisation is redesigning the global landscape, with nearly 70% of the world's population projected to reside in cities by 2050, contributing to more than 80% of global GDP. The urban population has grown dramatically, rising from 751 million in 1950 to 4.6 billion in 2023, with Asia and Africa expected to drive 90% of the growth in the coming decades. This significant shift offers vast opportunities while posing critical challenges, as cities account for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions and remain central to innovation and economic development.  

Modern urban hubs, such as Tokyo—the world’s largest city with 37 million residents—and rapidly growing cities in developing regions, must navigate the complex demands of expansion while reducing environmental impact. Meanwhile, smaller urban centres, which host nearly half the global urban population, are growing rapidly and require targeted strategies to support sustainable development. To maintain their status as engines of progress, cities must embrace resilient planning, integrate smart technologies, and ensure inclusive growth. These measures will cement their role as the driving forces behind the next chapter of urban evolution, redefining the way we live, work, and connect. 

 A Global Perspective on Urbanisation 
 
As cities expand, they emerge as dynamic hubs of innovation, economic growth, and cultural exchange. Urbanisation presents an opportunity to reimagine functionality, addressing housing, infrastructure, and inclusivity while tackling future challenges. 

Globally, urban centres are asserting their dominance as economic powerhouses. By 2025, New York is expected to surpass $1 trillion (£800 billion) in annual spending, while Shanghai leads the Asia-Pacific region with its largest stock exchange. Cities like Dubai and Singapore attract high-net-worth individuals and businesses, cementing their status as global innovation and investment hubs. Casablanca, ranked 57th among global financial centres, strengthens its role as Africa’s gateway. 
 
The challenges of rapid urbanisation are evident in overcrowding, pressure on infrastructure, and widening inequalities. Global resource extraction has already tripled in the last 50 years and is expected to increase by 60% by 2060, further straining supplies. To address these issues, prioritising resource efficiency and adopting innovative approaches is essential. 

Modern infrastructure is key to addressing these challenges. Investments in smart transport systems, renewable energy, and data-driven urban planning enhance connectivity and resilience. Secondary cities are also emerging as vital contributors to balanced urban growth, enabling regional development and fostering global connections. 

To remain competitive, cities must embrace innovation, foster collaboration, and address systemic challenges. By aligning economic goals with social and environmental priorities, urban centres can redefine global living standards and unlock their full potential. 

 

Cities In Action 

Reimagining Urban Mobility 

 Barcelona’s MetroCharge and Paris’s aerial tramways are leading advancements in urban transport, cutting emissions and enhancing connectivity. Meanwhile, Japan’s Shinkansen, recognised as the world’s fastest high-speed rail, achieved a milestone in 2023 by transporting 158 million passengers, contributing to a remarkable total of 6.4 billion passengers since its launch. 

Sustainability in Practice 

• Abu Dhabi’s Masdar facility, a $6 billion project, produces 1 gigawatt of clean energy each year, significantly cutting carbon emissions. South Korea, a global leader in renewable energy, reached an impressive 29.5 GW of solar capacity in 2024, underscoring its commitment to green energy solutions. 

Smart Cities Lead the Way 

• Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and Copenhagen’s ambitious carbon-neutral strategy highlight the power of data-driven urban planning in improving resource efficiency, enhancing quality of life, and driving sustainability. 

Global Trade and Logistics 

• Mexico, responsible for 40% of goods destined for the United States, illustrates how cities can strengthen their position as trade powerhouses by investing in sustainable infrastructure and optimising supply chains. 

 

Dubai: A Model in Urban Development 

 

Dubai exemplifies how cities can address the complexities of urbanisation through innovative strategies. The nations rapid population growth underscores the urgency for innovative urban planning. With its Vision 2040 Urban Master Plan, the city is transforming infrastructure, transport, and green spaces to sustain economic expansion while enhancing liveability. 

Sustainability Leadership 

• Projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar power facility, and the Urban Tech District, a zero-carbon hub planned for 2030, highlight efforts toward sustainable development. Expo City, powered by renewable energy, reflects a broader commitment to climate-focused solutions, complemented by DWTC’s leadership in hosting sustainable and transformative events. 

Economic Growth Engine 

• In Q4 2024, the real estate market in the emirate recorded total sales transaction values of AED 116.5 billion, a 31.1% year-on-year increase. This growth is driven by strategic infrastructure investments, foreign ownership reforms, and an influx of high-net-worth individuals and expatriates, reflecting a dynamic and thriving economic ecosystem.  

Innovation Hub 

• The city leverages advanced technologies to enhance its urban framework, including the use of “digital twins” to plan, monitor, and manage urban growth. These innovations demonstrate how emerging technologies are being integrated to support the development of future-ready cities. 

 

RISE 2026: A Platform for Global Visionaries 

As cities worldwide face mounting challenges from population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity, the need for actionable solutions has never been greater. RISE 2026 is a platform designed to address the complexities of urban growth and unlock transformative opportunities. By convening global leaders, innovators, and investors, the summit will provide actionable solutions to the most pressing challenges in urban development and sustainability. 
 
Scheduled for 13–15 January 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, the event will focus on practical strategies to redefine urban development, advance sustainability goals, and harness innovation for a rapidly changing world. 

Key Programmes at RISE 

The event’s carefully curated programmes are designed to translate challenges into opportunities for impactful change: 

• Government Roundtables: Discussions with 200+ government delegates on economic strategies, urban policies, and regulations. 

• Focus Groups: Showcasing city master plans and innovative urban projects. 

• Investment Forums: Opportunities worth $1.5 trillion+ in real estate and infrastructure with input from 1,000+ investors, family offices, and VCs. 

• Thematic Panels: Exploring smart technologies, carbon-neutral developments, and digital twin cities. 

• RISE Innovestate Showdown: Highlighting startups redefining the real estate sector. 

• Carbon Countdown Seminar: Global solutions to sustainability challenges. 

• RISE Futuroscope: Insights into metaverse ownership, blockchain, and VR/AR in real estate. 

• Key Figures: Engaging 20,000+ C-level attendees in shaping the future of urban and real estate sectors. 

Join us at RISE 2026 and seize your chance to shape the future of cities. 
 
Engage with world-class leaders, investors, and innovators, discover bold solutions, and unlock new opportunities.

Register now and lead the transformation in urbanisation.