We met in beautiful Latvia for a premier international, cross-disciplinary gathering of city leaders, academics, practitioners, and NGO heads 

Cities and towns across the globe are experiencing unprecedented new disruptions from social, political and environmental forces that are straining our ability to respond effectively. However, ours is far from the first time in history that disruptions have required new responses and new forms of resilience. What can we learn from history, and in particular, European history, that will be applicable to other parts of the world? There are timeless lessons as well as new strategies that cities and towns can employ to cope with stresses and seize opportunities, balancing adaptive innovations with the continuity of heritage and local identity. 

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​The 63rd International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) gathered to examine these questions in the beautiful country of Latvia. At the forefront of current geopolitical tensions, the country has also come through enormous past disruptions, including the devastation and regeneration of its cities. As it has done so, it has sought to build on its own local identity and culture. Today that work continues as Latvian cities emerge from mid-20th century era destruction, followed by reconstruction too often shaped more by the dictates of occupiers than by the needs and desires of local citizens.   ​​​