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Geneva, Switzerland and Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 – The New Cities Foundation (www.newcitiesfoundation.org) and the Urban China Initiative (www.urbanchinainitiative.org) announced today that they will be working together to generate a better understanding of the challenges posed by our increasingly urban world, particularly in China.

The rapid and unprecedented growth of the world’s cities is one of the defining trends of our age. By 2050, the world’s urban population is expected to have reached between 6 and 7 billion. The challenges and opportunities of this urban era deserve the full attention of decision-makers in policymaking, business, academia and civil society. Nowhere are these more important than in China, which is fast approaching its urban billion.  This is why this partnership between NCF, with its true global multi-sectoral approach and UCI, with a focus on urban China is so important.

“The cooperation between the New Cities Foundation and the Urban China Initiative holds great promise to bring the best of global research and thinking to Chinese urban stakeholders, said Jonathan Woetzel, Co-Chair for the Urban China Initiative. “NCF brings deep insights into how technology can shape urban life for the better which will be of great value to Chinese city managers, as well as providing an international venue for them to exchange perspectives with global cities and practitioners.”

NCF Executive Director Mathieu Lefevre commented: “We are very pleased to welcome the Urban China Initiative as one of our members. China is perhaps the most crucial chapter in the story of the world’s urban transformation. UCI’s dynamic knowledge community and deep connections in China make it a very welcome addition to our membership. We particularly look forward to working together on our upcoming global flagship event, the New Cities Summit in May in Paris.”

The New Cities Summit, which will be held in Paris in May 2012, is the centerpiece of the New Cities Foundation’s work. Building on a recognized track record in organizing high-level global forums, the New Cities Summit aims to be the leading annual global forum on new urbanization. This invitation-only forum, which will take place in Paris, will bring together global thought leaders in technology, infrastructure, architecture, energy, transport, national and local government, the media, academia and the non-profit sector.

About the New Cities Foundation: The New Cities Foundation is a Swiss non-profit institution, which aims to be the premier high-level platform for innovation and exchange on the future of urbanization. NCF believes the unprecedented rate of urban growth that defines the 21st century represents a unique set of challenges as well as a chance to build more sustainable, vibrant, innovative and equitable communities in the developed and the emerging world.

For more information, telephone +86-10-8573 0688 or email contact@newcitiesfoundation.org or find us at www.newcitiesfoundation.org, Facebook page and Twitter

About the Urban China Initiative: Urban China Initiative (UCI) is a joint initiative of McKinsey & Company, Columbia University, and the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University. Its mission is to catalyze the next stage of China’s urbanization by finding and implementing effective solutions to China’s urbanization challenge, and to support China’s cities as they innovate. It seeks to develop solutions, facilitate dialogue, and provide a home for China’s leading domestic and international urban thinkers and professionals. The Initiative seeks to pursue knowledge initiatives at scale – fact-based, objective analyses of options available to urban leaders across an enormous variety of conditions, with the goal of unearthing solutions that can be made to work across hundreds of cities. Indeed, in this respect China is in a unique position to leverage experience across its large number of varying cities.

For more information, telephone +86-10-8525 5252 or email  contactUCI@external.mckinsey.com or find us at www.urbanchinainitiative.org