By 2030, two-thirds of the world population (5 billion people) is expected to live in cities. Rapid urbanization has brought enormous challenges, including growing numbers of slum dwellers, increased air pollution, inadequate basic services and infrastructure, and unplanned urban sprawl, which also make cities more vulnerable to disasters. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a participatory and inclusive manner.

The DESIGN 2030 conference brings academics, activists, artists, and professionals to engage in a dialogue on resiliency and sustainability. It will investigate how interdisciplinary built-environment studies, including but not limited to Architecture, Architectural History, Landscape Architecture, Landscape History, Construction Management, Engineering, History of Technology, Urban Planning, Urban History, Urban Sociology, Urban Public Health, Justice Studies, Fine Arts, Environmental Studies, Environmental History, Disaster Studies, and Interior Design, can address global needs to build resilient communities.