Greg Clark CBE
Greg Clark is a global cities expert who turns decades of work across 400+ cities into original keynotes on urbanisation, leadership and investment.
Why you should book Greg Clark for your next event
- Gain a global perspective shaped by advisory and research work across more than 400 cities, 40 national governments and 20 multilateral institutions.
- Get a bespoke keynote combining original research, global comparisons, compelling stories and practical insights.
- Explore the forces reshaping cities, from housing and investment to tourism, technology, net zero, governance, innovation and the destination economy.
Non-binding request for Greg Clark
Leading the Sustainable Urban Transformation
Greg Clark has worked with more than 400 cities across six continents as an advisor, researcher, writer and speaker. His work is driven by a clear conviction: cities and the built environment, when well led and understood, are among our most powerful instruments for shared prosperity, sustainability, beauty and belonging. From international congresses with 1,600 delegates to closed sessions with investors and city leaders, Greg creates every presentation specifically for the audience, event and geography.
Book Greg Clark for your event
Greg Clark brings global perspective and practical experience to the stage. He has advised more than 400 cities, 40 national governments and 20 multilateral institutions, giving him a distinctive understanding of why cities succeed, where they struggle and how leadership can shape their future.
He regularly opens and closes international congresses, world summits and industry gatherings, from private sessions with twenty investors to events with 1,600 delegates. Every keynote is created specifically for the event, audience and geography. Greg's central conviction is that cities and the built environment, when well led and understood, are powerful instruments for prosperity, sustainability, beauty and belonging.
Three frameworks for understanding cities
Greg's work is built around three complementary frameworks. The DNA of Cities explores what makes each place unique and why the same policy can produce very different results from one city to another.
The Century of Cities examines the decisive period from 1980 to 2080, as the world's urban population grows from 2.3 billion to more than 9.2 billion. The Planet of Cities considers an interconnected global built environment of around 15,000 cities, linked through flows of trade, migration, capital and ideas.
Individually or together, these frameworks provide a powerful starting point for keynotes on urbanisation, leadership and the future of cities.
What Greg Clark speaks about
Greg addresses the forces transforming cities and the people responsible for leading them. His keynote topics include:
- The destination economy: tourism, business events, students, digital nomads and investment as one competitive offer.
- Urbanisation and Peak City: what separates good urbanisation from bad urbanisation and how governance shapes the outcome.
- City leadership and governance: metropolitan leadership, institutional capacity and the changing urban social contract.
- Housing and investment: housing as critical infrastructure, urban finance and the real estate investment cycle.
- Innovation and technology: why innovation districts succeed as ecosystems and why technology should enable strategy rather than replace it.
- Cities and net zero: how urban leadership and investment can accelerate the transition towards more sustainable cities.
- Tourism and place identity: moving from overtourism towards optimum tourism while strengthening the identity and soft power of cities.
- Cities and systems of cities: perspectives on London, Madrid, Barcelona, metropolitan Spain and Ibero-American cities.
Across these themes, Greg challenges conventional thinking and gives audiences clear arguments to consider. He explores why infrastructure should be built ahead of growth, why cities need greater capacity to lead and invest, and how better decisions can create places that work for residents, businesses and visitors.
Experience behind the keynote
Greg speaks from decades of advisory practice. He has chaired more than twenty city advisory boards, involving cities such as New York, Mumbai, São Paulo, Johannesburg, Sydney, Auckland, Barcelona, Vienna and Oslo. He has also advised the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and European Investment Bank on cities and urban investment.
His previous roles include Group Advisor on Future Cities and New Industries at HSBC and Chair of Connected Places Catapult, the UK's innovation accelerator for cities and the built environment.
Greg has written ten books and more than 100 reports, with eight further books planned through 2033. He also presents The Century of Cities and The DNA of Cities podcasts. His ideas and commentary have appeared across international media including BBC World Service, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The Times, El PaÃs, Monocle Radio and The Australian. Talks can also be delivered with bilingual support for Spanish-language audiences.
A keynote built for the audience
Greg's speaking combines original arguments, bespoke preparation, international evidence, storytelling and practical conclusions. Instead of repeating a standard presentation, he builds a clear line of thought around the questions facing each audience.
His audiences include leaders from real estate and investment, government, destinations and business events, universities and international organisations. Previous engagements include the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum, ICCA, IMEX, ISOCARP, EXPO Real, the Urban Land Institute, Cityscape Global, Destinations International and the City Destinations Alliance.
Formats range from 20–40 minute opening or closing keynotes and longer plenary sessions to fireside conversations, interviews, debates and 60–90 minute masterclasses. For significant events, preparation can include direct work with the event director to understand the audience, other speakers and key sensitivities.
Book speaker Greg Clark for an original and internationally informed perspective on cities, urbanisation and the built environment. Whether discussing investment, housing, tourism, governance, technology or sustainability, he gives audiences a clearer understanding of what is changing, why it matters and what leaders can do next.
Keynotes
Keynote by Greg Clark:
Our Urban Century: Peak City and the Future of Cities
Are your organization’s strategies keeping pace with the rapid transformation of our cities? As urbanization accelerates and sustainability demands intensify, leaders face complex questions about investment, innovation, and the future of work and living.
In his compelling keynote, Our Urban Century: Peak City and the Future of Cities, Greg Clark delivers the clarity and foresight organizations need to thrive in this new era. Drawing on decades of advising 300+ cities and global investors, he reveals how urban evolution is reshaping economies, industries, and talent landscapes and what businesses must do to stay ahead.
Greg’s keynote offers actionable frameworks for navigating climate transition, smart infrastructure, and inclusive growth. Audiences leave equipped with insights to turn disruption into opportunity and to lead confidently in a world defined by urban change.
Book Greg Clark for your event and empower your organization to unlock its role in shaping the cities of tomorrow.
Keynote by Greg Clark:
Cities, Climate, and Investment in the Net Zero Urban Transition
How can organizations invest wisely in a world racing toward net zero while cities become the frontlines of climate action? Many leaders struggle to align sustainability goals with profitable growth and long-term resilience.
In his powerful keynote, Cities, Climate, and Investment in the Net Zero Urban Transition, Greg Clark provides the roadmap to turn this challenge into opportunity. With over 35 years advising 300+ cities, 40 governments, and global investors, he reveals how climate-smart urban strategies can unlock innovation, attract investment, and future-proof organizations.
Greg’s keynote delivers actionable insights on financing low-carbon transitions, leveraging place-based leadership, and driving sustainable returns across industries. Audiences gain the tools and confidence to align business success with environmental responsibility.
Book Greg Clark for your event and inspire your organization to lead the net zero transformation, creating cities and companies ready for the future.
Keynote by Greg Clark:
Cities, Technology, and the 4th Industrial Revolution
Is your organization ready for the technological revolution reshaping the world’s cities? As AI, automation, and digital infrastructure transform how we live and work, many leaders struggle to keep pace with the opportunities and risks of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
In his keynote, Cities, Technology, and the 4th Industrial Revolution, Greg Clark empowers organizations to harness innovation for growth, resilience, and sustainability. Drawing on his experience advising 300+ global cities and leading institutions, he reveals how technology is redefining competitiveness, productivity, and investment in the urban age.
Greg’s keynote provides actionable insights on smart city development, digital transformation, and the future of urban economies, equipping leaders with strategies to adapt and thrive.
Book Greg Clark for your event to give your audience a visionary roadmap for succeeding in the technology-driven future of cities and business.
Keynote by Greg Clark:
City Leadership and Urban Governance
How can cities and organizations lead effectively amid rapid urban growth, climate pressures, and rising citizen expectations? Many leaders face the challenge of balancing innovation, inclusion, and accountability in an increasingly complex urban landscape.
In his keynote, City Leadership and Urban Governance, Greg Clark offers the strategies and insights needed to master this balance. With over 35 years advising 300+ cities, 40 national governments, and global investors, he reveals how visionary governance can transform cities into engines of sustainability, productivity, and trust.
Greg’s keynote delivers proven frameworks for effective leadership, long-term planning, and cross-sector collaboration, empowering decision-makers to drive meaningful, measurable impact.
Book Greg Clark for your event to inspire your audience with actionable lessons on how great city leadership can build resilient, thriving communities and organizations in the 21st century.
Keynote by Greg Clark:
The Business of Cities and Place Leadership
How can businesses and city leaders create places that attract talent, investment, and innovation in an age of global competition? Many organizations struggle to connect commercial success with the long-term value of great places.
In his keynote, The Business of Cities and Place Leadership, Greg Clark reveals how forward-thinking leaders can turn cities into engines of business growth and prosperity. Drawing on 35 years of experience advising 300+ cities and major corporations worldwide, he demonstrates how place leadership drives competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable success.
Greg’s keynote provides actionable tools for aligning business strategy with urban development, fostering collaboration, and unlocking the full potential of cities as dynamic marketplaces.
Book Greg Clark for your event and empower your audience to understand how visionary place leadership can redefine business performance and create shared value in the cities of tomorrow.
Keynote by Greg Clark:
The DNA of Cities: Decoding Urban Identity
What makes a city truly unique and how can leaders harness that identity to drive growth and pride? Many organizations and policymakers struggle to define what sets their city apart in a crowded global landscape.
In his keynote, The DNA of Cities: Decoding Urban Identity, Greg Clark explores how cities can uncover and activate their distinctive character to attract investment, talent, and innovation. Drawing on decades of global experience advising 300+ cities, he reveals the hidden factors, culture, history, leadership, and ambition, that shape a city’s success story.
Greg’s keynote equips audiences with practical frameworks to define, communicate, and leverage urban identity as a strategic asset for growth and competitiveness.
Book Greg Clark for your event and inspire your audience to discover how decoding the DNA of their city can unlock new opportunities for collaboration, branding, and sustainable development.
What’s Next for World Cities? | Greg Clark, Author & Urbanist & Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair
Watch Greg Clark in action!
Books by Greg Clark CBE
Organising Local Economic DevelopmentThe Role of Development Agencies and Companies: Local Economic and Employment Developmentby Greg Clark, Joe Huxley & Debra Mountford
