- February 24, 2026
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- February 28, 2026
From February 24 to 28, 2026, the second cohort of the Future Cities Go Glocal project of the Aspen Institute Germany met in Berlin. Twenty urban practitioners from Berlin, New Delhi, Nairobi, and Mexico City came together to exchange ideas on social justice, participation, and inclusive urban development.
The week began with a reception at the Berlin Senate Chancellery and an initial exchange on urban challenges and opportunities. Further program activities took the cohort to the Berlin House of Representatives, where participants discussed governance, integration, and equality. At the Paul-Löbe-Haus of the German Bundestag, participants met with the Committee on Housing, Urban Development, Building, and Local Government to discuss affordable housing, social participation, and the opportunities presented by digitalization.
Practical insights were provided by a visit to Housing First Berlin, where discussions focused on how cities can offer people affected by homelessness sustainable access to housing along with tailored support. At the Berlin-Brandenburg Public Transport Authority (VBB), the cohort explored how inclusive mobility can be implemented in practice. Additional inspiration came from La Red Berlin, CityLAB Berlin, and social initiatives such as Kreuzberger Himmel, which advance integration and participation in the city.
The study trip demonstrated that cities are crucial places where social justice can be shaped in practice. The exchange between four international metropolitan areas opened new perspectives, offered opportunities for joint learning, and provided inspiration to make urban societies more sustainable and inclusive.
