Aromar Revi is a thought leader on urbanization, having planned two-thirds of India’s states. He directs the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, co-authored the urban section of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports and leads the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) group on Sustainable Cities. According to Aromar Revi, “cities are the most important creation that humankind has created over the last 5000 years, but also the most deeply confounded one.” This is particularly true at a time when climate change, urbanization and inequality present deeper and more complex problems. But what if cities are put at the heart of the development agenda? What opportunities might cities present for a different economic, social and human development path, one that ensures greater sustainability and inclusion? How might the energy of mega-cities and regions be harnessed for the greater good? Revi will reflect on these questions, present the global campaign underway for the Urban SDG (Sustainable Development Goal), explain why this campaign is critical for Istanbul, and talk about how to get involved. Moderated by: Prof. Ayfer Bartu Candan of Boğaziçi University