62nd IMCL Concludes by Recognizing Urban Challenges, but Also Finding Inspiration

The beautiful Potsdam venue was a highlight for many-- as were the insightful exchanges with global leaders in research, policy and practice

Above, some of the attendees on the way to the Awards Dinner in the Historic Mil restaurant at Sanssouci Park in Potsdam.

POTSDAM, October 19th, 2025 - The 40th anniversary International Making Cities Livable just concluded here with over 100 attendees from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe -- including global leaders in research, policy and practice. The conference explored frontier findings in urgent contemporary issues for cities, towns and suburbs, including urban resilience, adaptation, mitigation, public space, walkability and mobility, health and well-being, affordability, homelessness, spatial justice, gentrification, zoning code reforms, economic barriers and solutions, educational reforms and professional responsibility, and many more topics.

Speakers included leaders from UN-Habitat, the Congress for the New Urbanism, The King's Foundation, INTBAU, and other international organizations. Representatives explored the work of Christopher Alexander, as well as other architects practicing new traditional architecture and urbanism. Researchers presented new findings in neuroscience, cognitive architecture, urban and architectural health and well-being, and many other topics. The conference closed with a plenary discussion and debate on the emerging conclusions.

Conference leaders announced preliminary plans to hold the next conference in Riga and Jelgava, Latvia in 2026. A formal announcement is anticipated in the near future.

SELECTED VIDEOS AND PHOTOS

The conference began with a greeting from noted author Rick Steves:

Other speakers included researcher Justin Hollander of Tufts University, researcher Cleo Valentine of the University of Cambridge, and mathematician and urbanist Nikos Salingaros of the University of Texas:

Above: short talk with researcher Justin Hollander.

Above: researcher Cleo Valentine reports her published findings.

Above: mathematician and urbanist Nikos Salingaros discusses experimental results using AI to generate a design.

Below are some photos from the event. We look forward to next year's conference!

Walking through the spectacular Sanssouci Park to the awards dinner.

At the Awards Dinner.

Beautiful Sanssouci Park.

Looking toward Sanssouci Palace.

Presenting the IMCL Leadership Award to Guy Courtois, founder of Pour une Renaissance Urbaine (Toward an Urban Renaissance) in Paris, France.

Presenting the IMCL Livable Design Award to Robert Patzschke of Patzschke & Partner Arkitekten, Berlin.

Ben Bolgar, Senior Director of Projects for the King's Foundation, presenting the work of the Foundation and King Charles on soil, climate, food, inner-city opportunities... and architecture.

Alexandros Lavdas, researcher at EURAC Bolzano and The Human Architecture and Planning Institute, Cambridge, MA USA, presenting on new research into the impacts of architecture on well-being and health.

Mallory Baches, President of the Congress for the New Urbanism, describing the strategic plan for the organization, including research into practice.

Dyfed Aubrey, Head of UN-Habitat's European Office, describes the work of the Global Public Space Network and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Sandy Vitzthum, an architect working with the City of Montpelier, Vermont (leaning forward at center), leading a workshop on a 135-acre urban extension of the city, featuring walkable mixed use and people-friendly spaces.

The crew of the conference with local host Bart Urban at the closing reception. L-R Jude Chanter, Evie Chanter, Leslie Barrett, Liam Chanter, AIden Chanter, Bart Urban, and Michael Mehaffy.

Thanks to all who made IMCL 2025 possible, and all who attended!