April 23, 2024 9am-12pm (EST)
Hearst Tower, 300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY

About

The Hearst Sustainable Cities Summit 2024 is an invite-only, in-person event convening industry leaders to explore the innovative designs, policies and technologies that are reshaping the world's urban landscapes. As cities grow both in size and population, their impact on the environment only stands to become more pronounced. Therefore, it is essential to discuss, adapt and develop strategies to ensure their sustainability for generations to come.

Designed and completed in 2006 by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, Hearst Tower at 300 W. 57th Street near Columbus Circle is the first publicly acknowledged, three-time LEED-certified building in the country. The significance of this groundbreaking headquarters influences the company’s present-day commitment to remain at the forefront of corporate sustainability progress. Against this backdrop, the Hearst Sustainable Cities Summit will seek to inspire, inform and challenge the way guests think about urbanization and its potential for positive change, particularly in New York City.

During three panel discussions, architects, policymakers, city planners and environmental advocates will converge in dynamic and provocative conversations about the ideas and solutions shaping the future of sustainable cities. Following the program, attendees are encouraged to explore The Vertical City exhibit in the South Gallery of Hearst Tower, featuring a retrospective of the works of Foster and Foster+Partners, originally displayed in Paris’ Centre Pompidou in 2023.

Program

Explore the event program and watch recordings below

Program

time iconApril 23, 2024 09:00 am

Registration and Networking Breakfast, Hearst Tower 44th Floor

time iconApril 23, 2024 09:30 am

Welcome Remarks

Speaker:

David Carey
SVP Public Affairs and Communications, Hearst

time iconApril 23, 2024 09:40 am

Panel Discussion: The Current State of Sustainable Urban Architecture

Moderator: 

David Carey
SVP Public Affairs and Communications, Hearst

Panel Speakers:

Peter Han
Partner, Foster + Partners

Jonathan (JP) Flaherty
Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainability and Building Technologies New York, Tishman Speyer

Peter Templeton
CEO, U.S. Green Building Council

time iconApril 23, 2024 10:15 am

Panel Discussion: A Greener Future for NYC Buildings

Moderator:

Marcy Block
Global Head of ESG Ratings, Sustainable Fitch

Panel Speakers:

Rohit Aggarwala
Commissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection 

Susanne DesRoches
Vice President of Clean and Resilient Buildings, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) 

Nicole Abene
NY Senior Legislative & Regulatory Manager, Building Decarbonization Coalition

time iconApril 23, 2024 10:50 am

Coffee Break

time iconApril 23, 2024 10:55 am

Panel Discussion: Beyond Buildings – Sustainability and Culture in NY

Moderator:

Stellene Volandes
Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country and Editorial Director of ELLE DECOR

Panel Speakers:

Paul Goldberger
Contributing Editor, Vanity Fair

Betsy Smith
President & CEO, Central Park Conservancy 

time iconApril 23, 2024 11:30 am

Closing Remarks

Speaker:

David Carey
SVP Public Affairs and Communications, Hearst

time iconApril 23, 2024 11:30 am

(optional) Tour The Vertical City Exhibit Celebrating the Work of Lord Norman Foster and Foster+ Partners, Hearst Tower 3rd Floor.

Speakers

See Bio

David Carey

SVP Public Affairs and Communications, Hearst
See Bio

Peter Han

Partner, Foster + Partners
See Bio

Jonathan (JP) Flaherty

Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainability and Building Technologies New York, Tishman Speyer
See Bio

Peter Templeton

CEO, U.S. Green Building Council
See Bio

Marcy Block

Global Head of ESG Ratings, Sustainable Fitch
See Bio

Rohit Aggarwala

Commissioner, NYC Department of Environmental Protection
See Bio

Susanne DesRoches

Vice President of Clean and Resilient Buildings, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
See Bio

Nicole Abene

NY Senior Legislative & Regulatory Manager, Building Decarbonization Coalition
See Bio

Stellene Volandes

Editor in Chief of Town & Country and Editorial Director of Elle Decor
See Bio

Paul Goldberger

Contributing Editor, Vanity Fair
See Bio

Betsy Smith

President & CEO, Central Park Conservancy

Frequently Asked Questions


Yes, guests should register for the Hearst Sustainable Cities Summit through this website.
No, the Summit is free of charge for invited guests.
Hearst will not collect or store any personal information submitted.
The Summit will take place at Hearst Tower (300 W. 57th Street, New York, NY 10019). Guests should use the building’s main entrance on 8th Avenue and check in with Hearst staff at the Sustainable Cities Summit table next to the security desk on the ground floor.
No, the Summit is an in-person event and will not be streamed live.
The event recordings are available in the “Program” section above.
Hearst Tower was the first building in New York City to receive a Gold LEED rating for core and shell and interiors when it re-opened in 2006. In 2012, Hearst Tower earned a Platinum LEED Rating for Existing Buildings, becoming the first building to receive both Gold and Platinum certifications. You can learn more at Hearst.com/Real-Estate.
The Vertical City exhibit, parts of which were originally displayed in Paris’ Centre Pompidou in 2023, will be on display in the South Gallery of Hearst Tower. Guests of the Summit are welcome to explore the exhibit retrospective of Lord Norman Foster’s work following the program. Foster+Partners has maintained its New York headquarters in Hearst Tower since 2006 following their redesign of the building. You can read more about the design and build process led by Foster+Partners in this case study.

Host & Partners

Hearst

Hearst is one of the nation’s largest global, diversified information, services and media companies. Hearst has been innovating for more than a century, leading with purpose, integrity and a culture of care, with a mission to inform audiences and improve lives. The company’s diverse portfolio includes financial service, medical information and service, software-as-a-service and consumer media businesses. Responsible environmental stewardship is an integral part of the way Hearst operates, from the sustainable management of forests and ranches on the west coast to the energy-saving design of Hearst Tower in New York City. Hearst regularly reports on the makeup of facilities, greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable content and communications. Learn more at Hearst.com/Sustainability.

Sustainability Management Program at Columbia University

Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management program features interdisciplinary training from the world’s premier sustainability academics, researchers, and practitioners. The curriculum is created by the world-leading Columbia Climate School and combines the physical dimensions of sustainability with general and financial management, economics, quantitative analysis, and policy so that graduates can thrive in the job market. The program is offered by Columbia’s School of Professional Studies. Columbia University’s Master of Science in Sustainability Management program features interdisciplinary training from the world’s premier sustainability academics, researchers, and practitioners.

NationSwell

NationSwell is an award-winning executive membership community and advisory, empowering leaders of purpose-driven enterprises to enhance their impact on society. NationSwell understands the shifting landscape and offers unparalleled support, paving new pathways of opportunity, sustainability, and well-being for a better and more equitable future. Membership consists of leading practitioners and thought leaders who shape the impact priorities of the world’s largest and most influential organizations. NationSwell is a certified B Corp. Learn more at NationSwell.com.

The U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) are the global leaders in green building, transforming buildings and communities to advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC is at the forefront of industry discussions and actively advancing ESG priorities within the market. Modeling the mission, the USGBC headquarters in Washington, D.C., has been awarded a prestigious triple Platinum certification in LEED, TRUE and WELL. This trio of certifications reflects USGBC’s commitment to healthy, productive, sustainable and responsible work environments. Learn more at usgbc.org.