Building on Dynamic Capabilities: How do Cities Adapt to Tackle Grand Challenges
Join UCL IIPP for a panel discussion, taking place on Wednesday 18th June at 15:30 - 17:00 BST.
Building on Dynamic Capabilities: How do Cities Adapt to Tackle Grand Challenges
18 Jun 2025, 15:30 – 17:00
About the session
As city governments confront growing socio-economic and environmental pressures, the concept of dynamic capabilities - the ability to adapt, reconfigure, and drive transformation from within - has become more critical than ever. The Public Sector Capabilities Index (PSCI) initiative, led by Professors Mariana Mazzucato and Rainer Kattel, has laid important groundwork in this area through key publications such as Dynamic Capabilities for Transformative Change in City Governments and Assessing Dynamic Capabilities.
How are cities adapting to better guide investment decisions, redesign governance structures, and shape better practices? In other words, how are they developing, deploying and assessing dynamic capabilities?
Join us for a discussion chaired by Prof. Dan Hill, Director of Melbourne School of Design and IIPP Visiting Professor of Practice, with leading practitioners and researchers to explore how cities are operationalising dynamic capabilities in real-world settings, what are the successes and ongoing challenges, and why dynamic capabilities are a strategic necessity—not a luxury—for long-term resilience and impact.
Key information
- When: Wednesday 18th June at 15:30 - 17:00 BST.
- Where: Seminar Room, IIPP, 11 Montague St, London, WC1B 5BP
IIPP's Forum 2025 - Rethinking the State
The Rethinking the State Forum is UCL IIPP’s flagship annual event, convening global thinkers, policymakers, students, and practitioners to examine how states can build the capacity to drive inclusive, green, and digital transformations. Taking place from 18–20 June 2025, the Forum offers a space for critical reflection and exchange on the evolving role of the state in tackling today’s complex challenges. Through public panels, interactive workshops, and cross-sector dialogues, the event explores themes such as decolonising public administration, rebuilding public institutions, and reconfiguring governance for the common good.
Dan Hill is Director of Melbourne School of Design, the graduate school in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne, and Professor of the Built Environment. He was formerly Director of Strategic Design at Vinnova, the Swedish government’s innovation agency. A designer and urbanist, Dan's previous leadership roles include Vinnova in Stockholm, Arup in Sydney and London, the Finnish innovation fund SITRA in Helsinki and Fabrica in Italy.
Further information
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