In an era defined by rapid urban evolution, how can city leaders, innovators, and citizens prepare for the future?
Meet Dr. Fatime Barbara Hegyi — author, urban visionary, and catalyst for transformative change. A leading voice on the future of cities, she bridges science, data, and storytelling to help decision-makers build more sustainable, inclusive, and human-centered communities.
Her book, The Future of Cities: A Data-Driven Approach to Tackling Grand Challenges and Building Sustainable, Resilient Communities, offers a blueprint for navigating complexity — providing city leaders, policymakers, and organizations with practical frameworks to drive measurable progress.
In October 2025, Fatime presented The Future of Cities at the European Parliament, where her ideas sparked a policy hearing on the future of cities.
She also delivered a keynote at the Atlantic Health & Wellness Summit, connecting health, innovation, and city systems — demonstrating how the well-being of people and the sustainability of places are inseparable.
Renowned for her engaging, insight-rich presentations, Fatime translates complex urban challenges into actionable strategies. Her keynotes and workshops inspire audiences across government, academia, and business — from mayors seeking to drive social progress to corporate innovators aligning strategy with sustainability and societal impact.
Beyond her speaking engagements, Fatime leads initiatives that integrate data, design, and dialogue to reshape the way cities learn and evolve. Her work emphasizes the interconnectedness of urban systems — health, education, mobility, technology, and governance — showing how political will can be treated as a renewable resource when guided by evidence and shared purpose.
In a world where the future of humanity is inseparable from the future of our cities, Fatime Barbara stands as a visionary connector — equipping individuals and institutions to reimagine the places we live, work, and thrive.
👉 Discover more in the Future of Cities Learning Hub — a growing ecosystem of insights, tools, and interactive learning experiences designed to help leaders, innovators, and citizens shape the future of their cities.
Speech Topics - Shaping the Cities of Tomorrow
The climate crisis demands a radical shift in how we design and manage our cities. Fatime Barbara’s Greenprint Revolution offers a visionary framework for creating truly sustainable urban environments. Discover how to leverage data-driven insights and empower community-led initiatives to build cities that meet the needs of present and future generations. Learn how to create urban spaces that are models of ecological balance, social equity, and long-term prosperity—a lasting green legacy. This talk, based on the research and vision of the author’s book, the “Future of Cities,” which provides the blueprint for a sustainable urban future.
The future of health walks the streets we walk, savors the food we can reach, breathes the air of our green spaces. It’s not just about medicine; it’s about the city itself. Fatime Barbara explores the link between urban design and human well-being. Learn how to engineer cities that promote physical and mental health through accessible green spaces, active transportation, and community-focused initiatives. Discover how healthier citizens contribute to a more vibrant and resilient urban fabric. This talk, based on the health and social well-being aspects of urban planning discussed in “Future of Cities,” offers a blueprint for designing cities that truly heal.
Education is the key to unlocking human potential and building thriving cities. Fatime Barbara presents a data-driven approach to transforming urban spaces into dynamic “Learning Labs,” fostering lifelong learning and innovation. Explore how data insights inform strategies that fuel well-being, expand opportunities, improve health outcomes, and empower individuals to contribute to a thriving society. This talk, based on the educational dimensions explored in “Future of Cities,” demonstrates how building cities where every street corner is a potential classroom creates a ripple effect of positive change, driving urban transformation.
In the age of big data, cities are living organisms of information. Fatime Barbara unlocks the secrets of “Decoding the Urban DNA,” revealing how data analytics can revolutionize urban planning and management. Learn how to harness the power of data to optimize infrastructure, enhance public services, create personalized urban experiences, and improve the lives of citizens. Discover how to transform raw data into actionable insights that drive smarter, more efficient, and more human-centered cities. This talk, based on the data insights from “Future of Cities,” explores how data is shaping the urban future.
The cities of the future will be shaped by those who embrace innovation. Fatime Barbara presents a forward-looking perspective on how corporations can become key players in building the city of tomorrow. Discover how data reveals emerging urban trends and unmet needs, creating opportunities for businesses to develop innovative solutions. Explore strategies for fostering collaboration between businesses, governments, and communities to create a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban future. This talk, drawing on the insights on innovation from “Future of Cities,” empowers corporations to become architects of the city of tomorrow.