
Cognitive City Dialogue at COP29 in Azerbaijan by Dr Mohammad Radfar
Description of the Event
Dr. Mohammad Radfar, an Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Design and Planning at the University of Birmingham, chaired a significant workshop at the UAE Pavilion during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The session, titled “Innovating the Future: UAE’s Path to Sustainable, Circular, and Cognitive Cities,” focused on the concept of cognitive cities—an advanced version of smart cities utilizing AI and machine learning for proactive urban management.
Dr. Radfar’s presentation emphasized the human-centric approach of cognitive cities, aiming to empower citizens and enhance governance. The workshop featured a panel discussion with experts addressing various aspects of urban innovation, including:
Circular Economy in City Design (Pooja Ganatra): Insights on the UAE’s waste-to-energy projects.
Sustainable Mobility (Prof. Khaled Galal Ahmed): Innovations in transportation, such as autonomous vehicles.
Human-Centric City Design (Dr. Khaled AlAwadi): Focus on inclusivity and sustainability in urban planning.
Cognitive Cities (Dr. Radfar): Discussion of AI’s role in adaptive urban governance.
The event underscored the UAE’s commitment to sustainable urbanism and showcased its advancements in creating innovative, resilient cities.

In a landmark event highlighting the future of urbanism, Dr Mohammad Radfar, Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Design and Planning at the University of Birmingham, Programme Director of the MSc Urban Planning programme, and Director of Urban Design and Masterplanning at Designex, chaired a pivotal workshop and panel discussion at the UAE Pavilion during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The session, titled “Innovating the Future: UAE's Path to Sustainable, Circular, and Cognitive Cities,” brought together thought leaders and experts to explore the transformative impact of cognitive cities and their role in shaping sustainable, human-centric urban environments.
The Workshop: Cognitive Cities and Urban Futures
Dr Radfar’s contributions were centred on the theme of cognitive cities—an evolution of smart cities that leverages advanced AI and machine learning to anticipate urban challenges and offer real-time, proactive solutions. His presentation, “City in People’s Hands: The Cognitive City’s Impact on Future Urbanism,” underscored how this innovative approach can empower citizens, enhance governance, and create more resilient and adaptive urban environments.
Dr Radfar emphasised the human-centric nature of cognitive cities, where urban systems are not only efficient but also attuned to the dynamic needs of the population. This vision aligns with the UAE's ambition to lead globally in urban innovation, integrating cutting-edge technologies with sustainability principles. His leadership in this event reflects his commitment to advancing the discourse on sustainable urban design. By blending academic rigor with practical expertise, he continues to influence the global urban planning landscape, inspiring innovative solutions for the challenges of tomorrow.
As the world looks to the future of urbanism, events like this workshop at COP29 underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation, and a people-first approach to creating cities that are not just smart, but also sustainable, adaptive, and profoundly human.
Event Highlights
The workshop and panel discussion explored the UAE’s leadership in urban planning, showcasing the nation’s achievements in creating sustainable, circular, and cognitive cities. The event included:
Opening Remarks:
Dr Radfar set the tone by introducing the concept of cognitive cities and their potential to transform urban living. He highlighted the UAE's role as a global innovator in sustainability and its alignment with COP29’s climate goals.
Panel Discussion:
A dynamic dialogue featured four key experts offering diverse perspectives on urban innovation:
Circular Economy in City Design (Pooja Ganatra, Buro Happold):
Insights into the UAE's adoption of circular economy principles, including waste-to-energy projects that minimize waste and optimize resources in cities like Dubai and Sharjah.
Sustainable Mobility and Integrated Transportation (Prof. Khaled Galal Ahmed, UAEU):
Discussion of innovations such as autonomous vehicles, Hyperloop, and electric public transport, showcasing how integrated mobility systems reduce emissions and enhance urban efficiency.
The Human-Centric Approach to Future Cities (Dr. Khaled AlAwadi, Khalifa University):
A focus on designing cities that improve quality of life through inclusivity, sustainability, and advanced technologies tailored to human needs.
Cognitive and Responsive Cities (Dr Mohammad Radfar, University of Birmingham):
Dr Radfar delved into the transition from smart to cognitive cities, emphasizing how AI and machine learning enable real-time adaptation and predictive urban governance. He highlighted Dubai's potential to become a global leader in this transformative approach.
The session concluded with an engaging audience Q&A, fostering dialogue on how cognitive cities can serve as a blueprint for urban resilience and sustainability worldwide.
The UAE Pavilion at COP29 served as a global platform to highlight the nation's groundbreaking contributions to sustainable urbanism. From circular economies to smart mobility and cognitive cities, the UAE’s urban strategies are setting new benchmarks for environmentally and socially responsive urban design.



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