Cape Town will be represented at a global urbanism conference taking place in Spain next month.
Cape Town’s Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has been invited to speak at Monocle’s prestigious Quality of Life Conference in Barcelona from 4 to 6 September.
Hill-Lewis joins mayors, architects, and city-makers from across the globe, to explore how better planning, public spaces, and partnerships can transform urban life.
Cape Town’s inner city is indeed leading the pack in terms of livability, while other cities across South Africa fall into decline due to major infrastructure collapses and poor administration.
South Africa’s oldest city, Cape Town, is in fact, a major drawcard for international visitors. Moreover, the city is home to a number of iconic landmarks which attract scores of international tourists every year.
MONOCLE QUALITY OF LIFE CONFERENCE
Cape Town’s presence at the conference underscores its growing commitment to thoughtful, inclusive city-making and to bringing the best of global thinking home.
The conference will see over 20 visionary speakers and more than 200 delegates from around the world exchange insights on building better cities and improving quality of life. It’s a rare opportunity to position Cape Town alongside other global cities leading innovative regeneration efforts, and to return home with practical inspiration.
This invitation is a milestone for Mission for Inner City CT, a cross-sector initiative co-founded by Tim Harris, that works to transform Cape Town’s city centre into a safer, more walkable and economically vibrant urban core.
Harris says that the city’s inclusion “reflects both momentum and openness” — showcasing Cape Town’s progress while inviting new ideas, investment, and international partnerships that can help shape the city’s next chapter.
REDESIGNING MODERN CITES
Over the course of the three-day conference, everyone from fashion founders to city leaders will gather to hear from designers, architects, CEOs, and cultural thinkers dedicated to building better cities and improving quality of life.
Attendees will participate in stimulating conversations and thought-provoking debates, as more than 20 visionary speakers – including Mayor Hill-Lewis – and over 200 international delegates explore fresh perspectives on shaping the cities of the future.
The city is South Africa’s jewel in the crown as far as cities go. It is also home to a number of landmarks, many of which are on every international tourist’s itinerary.
“Cape Town has made great strides in both preserving the character while also reimagining our Inner City, but we know we still have much work ahead. This global platform allows us to share what’s working for us here, as well as learn from the world’s best ideas to help us build a more inclusive, accessible, and livable city for all.” Harris says.
Hill-Lewis will appear alongside a distinguished line-up of international speakers, including:
- Adriana Domínguez, executive chairwoman of Adolfo Domínguez – the visionary leader redefining one of Spain’s most iconic fashion brands.
- David Martí Vilardosa, editor and product design director at Santa & Cole – a creative force helping to illuminate cities with clarity and quiet confidence.
- Emre Arolat, co-founder and principal at EAA – the Turkish architect known for creating spaces that resonate with their cultural and physical context.
- Jeanne Autran-Edorh, co-founder of Studio NEiDA – a French-Togolese architect building with care, community and a deep respect for place.
SHOWCASING CAPE TOWN INNER CITY
Harris says that the mayor’s presence in Barcelona reflects both momentum and openness.
The city’s participation aligns closely with the Mission for Inner City Cape Town’s aim to transform Cape Town’s city centre into a safer, more walkable and economically vibrant urban core.
Through placemaking, infrastructure upgrades and public-private collaboration, the Mission for Inner City CT is helping to drive a more human-scale, connected inner city.
“It shows that Cape Town is moving in the right direction and that we’re actively looking to global cities to inspire creative solutions to our unique challenges. Our vision is not just about urban aesthetics, but about creating a city that works better for everyone who lives, works or visits here.” Harris said.
Cape Town’s approach to urban regeneration is rooted in both global curiosity and local innovation. From new safe spaces and economic hubs to heritage-led design and street-level activation, the city is learning by doing and by listening.
