City Science Summit 2025

Cities in Transition

October 7, 8 and 9, 2025

Concepción, Chile

The City Science Summit is an annual gathering of the City Science Network and other thought leaders in the fields of urban science, planning, computer science, policy and decision making, social sciences and rapid urbanization. We share research, present new projects and discuss our vision to create more livable, equitable and resilient communities. The City Science Summit consists of main stage presentations, breakout sessions, workshops, and demos.

This year we are pleased to announce that the Network will travel to visit our colleagues in Concepción, Chile on October 7, 8, and 9. We are programming a packed three-day event with all aspects of a summit you have grown used to. In addition, we plan to take full advantage of our visit with time outside and cultural activities.

The Summit will open with a welcome by Sergio Giacaman, Governor of the Biobío Region, together with a representative from the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism.

We are honored to feature keynote presentations from Kent Larson, Director of the City Science Center at MIT; Kristian Norelius, Art Director at Pixar; Amy Allen, Sets Supervisor at Pixar; and Alejandro Gutierrez of ARUP.

In addition, there will be a series of lightning talks from City Science Network directors, sharing updates and visions from across the globe.

AGENDA OCT 8 (Chile Time)

Overture MIT City Science Summit, Echo Music
Protocolar welcome
- Sergio Giacaman, Biobío Regional Governor
- Alfredo Echavarría, President Chamber of Construction Chile
Cities in Transition’s Introduction
- Patricio Donoso, Corporación Ciudades’ Board President
- Fernanda Soza, CEO Chile Mass
Welcome to the City Science Summit
- Kent Larson, Director MIT City Science Center
Keynote
- Amy Allen & Kristian Norelius, Pixar Animation Studios.
City Science Network Lightning Talks
- Roy Lin, City Science Lab Taipéi
- Jarmo Suominen & Lou Yongqi, City Science Lab Shanghái
Panel Discussion
- Amy Allen, Roy Lin, Jarmo Suominen,
- Moderator: Marcelo Larraguibel, Director ChileMass
12:05 to 13:00 - Cities in Digital Transition
Keynote
- Julio Covarrubias, Service Line Manager at Entel Digital
City Science Network Lightning Talks
- Zuriñe Varela, Scientific Director City Science Lab Gipuzkoa
- Gesa Ziemer, Director City Science Lab Hamburgo
Panel Discussion
- Julio Covarrubias, Zuriñe Varela, Gesa Ziemer
- Moderator: Jennifer Fuenzalida, Commercial Director City Lab Biobío
Keynote
- Julio Covarrubias, Service Line Manager at Entel Digital
City Science Network Lightning Talks
- Zuriñe Varela, Scientific Director City Science Lab Gipuzkoa
- Gesa Ziemer, Director City Science Lab Hamburgo
Panel Discussion
- Julio Covarrubias, Zuriñe Varela, Gesa Ziemer
- Moderator: Jennifer Fuenzalida, Commercial Director City Lab Biobío
Keynote
Alejandro Gutiérrez, Director of the Integrated City Planning Teams at London and Milán, ARUP
City Science Network Lightning Talks
- Jordi Ascenci, Head of Technology City Science Lab Andorra
- Markus ElKatsha & Yasushi Sakai, Scientific Researchers at MIT City Science
Panel Discussion
- Alejandro Gutiérrez, Jordi Ascenci, Markus ElKatsha
- Moderator: Marcela Angulo, President of the Innovation Committee of the Biobío Industry Association
Keynote
- Jean Paul Sauré, CEO Huachipato
Charla maestra
- Kent Larson, Director MIT City Science Center
City Science Network Lightning Talks
- Mayra Gamboa, Scientific Director City Science Lab Guadalajara
- Emilia Mellado, student Santa Juana
- Fernando Pérez, Principal Director City Science Lab Biobío
Panel Discussion
- Jean Paul Sauré, Kent Larson, Mayra Gamboa
- Moderator: Pablo Allard, Dean of Architecture at Universidad del Desarrollo.
Concluding Remarks
- Fernando Pérez, Director Principal City Science Lab Biobío