Urban Future Festival #UF24, organised by Urban Future, was held from June 5 to 7, 2024 at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This leading European event convened around 2,500 change-makers—including mayors, urban planners, architects, mobility experts, and sustainability leaders—focused on advancing sustainable urban transformation. Over three days, the programme featured nearly 200 speakers, 70 sessions, 35 guided field trips, and 20 side events, emphasizing practical knowledge sharing and open discussion of successes and failures in city innovation.
Five central themes shaped the festival: climate adaptation, building sustainable cities, social aspects of transformation, personal growth and leadership, and CityChanger skills. The third day was dedicated to immersive field trips across Rotterdam, giving participants direct access to the city’s pioneering sustainability projects. The event fostered collaboration between international, national, and local leaders, aiming to accelerate positive change in cities worldwide. Urban Future selects a different host city each year to spotlight unique local solutions and lessons, with the Rotterdam edition highlighting the city's resilience and commitment to sustainability.