CHANGE.ENABLED
Urban.Next: Inventing The Future of Urban Systems
2 days of high-impact, actionable sessions on transforming cities, communities, and daily life with intelligence and innovation.
​
May 2026 | New York City
Cities are at the center of global transformation. Today, AI, data, and innovative sustainable infrastructure are changing how we design, build, and operate the systems that sustain urban life: from energy and construction to transportation and public services.
Change.Enabled convenes city leaders, private sector innovators, and entrepreneurs to explore how we can accelerate sustainable infrastructure, modernize the built environment, and improve life for residents.
Through high-impact sessions, live technology showcases, and cross-sector collaboration, Change.Enabled creates a platform for cities and companies to build smarter, more sustainable, and more connected urban futures together.
AI Architecture & Urban Infrastructure
How AI and data-driven design are transforming how cities plan, build, and manage infrastructure systems.
Energy & Decarbonizatioin
The role of clean energy, electrification, and smart grids in powering sustainable, carbon-neutral cities.
The Built Environment & Smart Construction
Innovations in construction, retrofitting, and sustainable building design for resilient, connected cities.
Mobility & Connected Transport
Next-generation transit, autonomous vehicles, EV infrastructure, and AI-optimized logistics shaping city movement.
Water, Climate, & Marine Resilience
Protecting urban populations through resilient water systems, flood prevention, coastal defense, and climate adaptation.
Digital Governance & Public Trust
How cities can govern AI, data, and digital infrastructure responsibly while ensuring equity, security, and trust.
Health, Housing & Urban Wellbeing
Designing healthier cities: from affordable housing and green spaces to urban health systems driven by technology.
Agenda +
Announcement Coming Soon
Participants +
Announcement Coming Soon
The City As
An Innovation
Lab Initiative
The Public Innovation Institute’s City as an Innovation Lab initiative turns cities into real-world testbeds for public-interest innovation. By combining robust research, city leadership, and private sector collaboration, the program pilots new solutions, evaluates impact, and develops scalable models that improve infrastructure, services, and quality of life for residents.
Sponsorship & Partnerships
Change.Enabled sponsoring partners are leading technology and service providers, consultants, investors, and organizations that are mission aligned in solving the challenges of the future.
​
Contact info@thepii.org for sponsorship opportunities.
FAQs
What is Change.Enabled 2026?
Change.Enabled is a global convening hosted by the Public Innovation Institute (PII), a think-and-do tank focused on public-interest innovation and invention, that brings together city leaders, private sector innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers to accelerate the future of cities. The 2026 edition's theme is "Urban.Next: Inventing the Future of Urban Systems" and focuses on how AI, data, and sustainable infrastructure can transform urban living.
​
Who should attend?
-
Mayors, city managers, Chief Innovation Officers, and urban policy leaders.
-
Industry leaders in AI, technology, investments, construction, energy, and infrastructure.
-
Entrepreneurs and startups building public-interest solutions.
-
Philanthropic organizations and research partners interested in city innovation.
Is there a fee to attend?
Because the event is structured to drive actionable change, Change.Enabled is by invitation only. However, an expression of interest form will be made available in the spring for a limited number of seats.
​
What makes Change.Enabled different from other conferences?
Change.Enabled is action-oriented. In addition to talks and panels, the agenda features working groups, innovation showcases, and the launch of new initiatives such as The City as an Innovation Lab, where city leaders and companies map actionable projects and collaborations.
What are the focus areas in 2026?
-
AI & Civic Infrastructure
-
Climate & Energy Futures
-
Built Environment & Construction Innovation
-
Water & Marine Resilience
-
Mobility & Smart Transportation
-
Public Health & Equity
-
Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Hyperion Showcase)
Will there be opportunities for networking?
Yes. The agenda includes curated networking sessions, matchmaking between cities and companies, and receptions hosted by sponsors.
How can my company sponsor or showcase?
PII offers multiple sponsorship tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Supporting) with benefits including speaking opportunities, brand visibility, workshop facilitating, and research collaborations. Contact info@thepii.org to express interest.
Can startups apply to present?
Startups developing public-interest solutions and would like to present at Change.Enabled should apply to our Hyperion venture development program. Selected founders will pitch to city leaders, investors, and industry experts. Application opens in October 2025.
What is The City as an Innovation Lab?
It’s a new PII initiative that works with cities as testbeds for co-developing and piloting solutions with the private sector. Change.Enabled 2026 will host its first working sessions to launch research and partnerships under this program.
​
Will the event be hybrid or in-person only?
Change.Enabled 2026 is primarily an in-person event to maximize collaboration and networking, with limited livestream options for select plenaries.
​
What happens after the event?
PII will publish the Change.Enabled Report, summarizing key insights, partnerships, and actionable pathways identified during the summit. Sponsors and partners will be recognized in the report and invited to participate in follow-on collaborations through The City as an Innovation Lab.
