The Future Cities Symposium 2025 was held from 14-15 November in Hong Kong and on 17 November in Dubai. Funded by the Prosit Philosophiae Foundation and jointly organised by HKU’s Joint Lab on Future Cities (JLFC), the Royal College of Art’s Future Cities Lab, Dubai Chambers, and strategic partners, the event gathered over 300 participants, more than 40 international speakers, and over 30 exhibitors. Under the theme “Innovate to Elevate Through Digital Transformation”, the symposium brought together policymakers, academic leaders, industry practitioners, and investors to discuss emerging pathways for the future cities.
 
In Hong Kong, the programme opened with keynote speeches from senior government officials and global academic leaders before moving into sessions on mobility innovation, computational and AI-driven methods, geospatial intelligence, infrastructure decarbonisation, and the expanding space economy. Over two days, presentations, panel discussions, and showcases highlighted applied research and emerging new technologies, while startup showcases and a networking forum further facilitated exchanges between researchers, corporates, and investors.
 
The Dubai sessions built on these discussions, convening experts to explore the region’s priorities in sustainable planning, resilient infrastructure, autonomous systems, and innovation-led urban development. Through focused panels, exhibits, and cross-sector dialogue, the session opened new avenues for collaboration, particularly across the Middle East and Asia. Participation from international organisations and industry associations broadened the conversation on regional priorities and future-city benchmarks.
 
Across both locations, the symposium underscored the importance of connecting research, policy, and industry to advance practical solutions for future cities. By fostering sustained partnerships between Hong Kong, the GBA, the GCC, the UK, and Europe, the event laid a strong foundation for continued cooperation and the development of forward-looking, scalable urban innovations.