A Recap of the C40 Cities Session during Climate Week NYC 2026
On 22 September 2026, city leaders and young innovators came together in New York City to explore how young people can play a meaningful role in shaping the future of cities.
Hosted by Gensler and supported by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, the session brought together C40 Co-Chair and Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung, Governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region Claudio Orrego, and young leaders, including winners of Youth Reinventing Cities global competition.The session was moderated by Kevin Austin, C40 Deputy Executive Director.
The discussion highlighted the importance of putting young people at the centre of decisions about the cities they live in. As Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr put it: "It’s our responsibility to ensure that the views of young people are embedded into the decisions we are taking"
Louise Yeung reinforced this people-centred approach, emphasising that people are experts in their own lives and that climate policy needs to recognise youth lived experiences, including the emotional experience of living in a city, alongside more technical considerations.
Registration closed.
Hosted by Gensler and supported by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, the session brought together C40 Co-Chair and Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung, Governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region Claudio Orrego, and young leaders, including winners of Youth Reinventing Cities global competition.The session was moderated by Kevin Austin, C40 Deputy Executive Director.
Key takeaways
- From listening to action: The discussion highlighted the importance of moving beyond simply consulting young people. Their perspectives and ideas need to be meaningfully embedded in the decisions, plans and projects shaping cities.
- Young people as partners: Young leaders bring fresh perspectives and new approaches to complex urban challenges. Creating stronger connections between youth, city governments and urban professionals can help turn these ideas into practical solutions.
- Creating pathways for ideas to grow: Youth Reinventing Cities demonstrates the value of giving young people opportunities to respond to real urban challenges. Connecting their ideas with cities and practitioners can help move promising visions towards implementation.
The voices
The session featured a cross-sector dialogue between city leaders, urban professionals and young innovators, including:- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown and C40 Co-Chair
- Claudio Orrego, Governor of the Santiago Metropolitan Region
- Louise Yeung, Chief Climate Officer of New York City
- Oliver Schaper, Principal and Design Director, Gensler
- Robert Fuller, Principal and Studio Director, Gensler
- David Benjamin, Associate Professor of Architecture, Columbia University
- Kathryn Gioiosa, Executive Director, TREEage
- Vijeeth Mandala, 41°Commons Team, winner of Chicago Youth Reinventing Cities
- Maria Paula Gonzalez, Colectivo Sin Norte Team, winner of Bogotá Youth Reinventing Cities
The discussion highlighted the importance of putting young people at the centre of decisions about the cities they live in. As Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr put it: "It’s our responsibility to ensure that the views of young people are embedded into the decisions we are taking"
Louise Yeung reinforced this people-centred approach, emphasising that people are experts in their own lives and that climate policy needs to recognise youth lived experiences, including the emotional experience of living in a city, alongside more technical considerations.
Through Youth Reinventing Cities, young people across the world have developed ideas in response to real urban challenges, bringing their perspectives into conversations about how cities can change.
Registration closed.
