600 cities meet in Brussels to discuss future of Europe's urban areas

Over the next few days, 600 cities will be represented at the Brussels Urban Summit. The event invites more than 2,000 politicians, academics and representatives of urban civil society to reflect on the future of Europe's cities.

During the summit, three international conferences will discuss the future image of European cities and solutions to urban challenges: the triennial Metropolis World Congress, the annual Eurocities conference and the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth conference.

"This is the first time the three largest international networks of cities are coming together to discuss major social and urban issues"

"This is the first time the three largest international networks of cities are coming together to discuss major social and urban issues," said Pascal Smet (One.brussels-Vooruit), Brussels secretary of state for European and International Relations and Urbanism. "It makes sense that this international urban conference is taking place in Brussels, a hyper-nationally diverse metropolis and a laboratory for urban innovation."

Among the participants are the mayors of Paris, Ankara, Athens and Dakar.

The event is an initiative of the Brussels-Capital Region, Eurocities, Metropolis and the OECD Champion Mayors for Inclusive Growth initiative. The City of Brussels, the European Commission, the International Parliament of Mayors and other partners are also involved

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