Braillard Compass @ Davos – Global Cities 2026

Urban foresight, risk governance and energy transition

FH4S lunch in collaboration with the Fondation Braillard

As part of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 – Davos

Concept

Cities are becoming the decisive arenas in which ecological, social and energy transitions unfold. In line with the Davos Baukultur Quality System, which advocates a holistic approach to the built environment encompassing human well-being, cultural value, material sufficiency and environmental responsibility, this high-level lunch brings together leaders, researchers and urban stakeholders to reflect on the future of urban transformation.

One central question guided the dialogue:

How can we transform our cities when the ecological transition requires us to act within ever shorter timeframes?

Climate instability, increasingly scarce resources and the urgent need for a material economy are redefining the way cities must design, govern and finance their development. The challenge is no longer to imagine distant futures, but to build them now, within planetary boundaries and with a renewed commitment to high-quality, human-centred urban environments.

This Davos edition also marked the official international launch of Braillard Compass@ – Global Cities, a new series devoted to sustainable urban trajectories, with forthcoming sessions in Geneva, London, Brussels, Paris and other major cities.

Format

Lead organisers: Futures Hub 4 Sustainability (FH4S), Fondation Braillard Architectes

Participants: 20 to 25 invited leaders

Venue: World Economic Forum 2026, Davos

Format: Lunch debate (60 to 90 minutes)

Outcomes

• A shared framework on global cities in transition

• Identification of 2 to 3 priority areas of work

• A roadmap for the international roll-out of the Braillard Dialogues @

• Identification of host cities and institutional partners

A pivotal moment to reflect collectively on the cities of tomorrow: resilient, resource-efficient and designed for the well-being of people and the preservation of the planet.