Think our planet is dominated by cities and humans? Think again. We’re on a very small patch of the Earth. And it’s where humanity’s — and our planet’s future — is being made.
As we navigate the 21st century, one fact stands out: We now live on what can only be described as The Urban Planet. Cities and urban regions occupy just 3 to 4 percent of Earth’s land surface, yet they already house over half the world’s population—and that figure is on track to reach 70 percent by 2050. This isn’t just a demographic shift; it’s a profound transformation that’s redefining economies, innovation, and sustainability on a planetary scale.
I’m Miro Cernetig, CEO of CityAge, and I’ve spent my career as a journalist, entrepreneur, and brander exploring these dynamics. From my base in Vancouver, I’ve seen firsthand how cities are becoming the epicentres of human progress— the battlegrounds for our biggest challenges and where trillions of dollars are being invested every year. This is why we are reinventing CityAge: not as an event company, but as a dynamic platform that builds brands, campaigns, and connects leaders, investors, and technology to drive real innovation. And most of all solutions for our Urban Planet.
Re-frame How You Think With The CityAge Urban Planet Concept
Picture this: A tiny fraction of the planet’s surface generates the majority of global GDP, while also accounting for most carbon emissions and resource consumption. Urban areas are where ideas ignite, technologies scale, and solutions to climate change, inequality, and infrastructure needs are born. But they’re also vulnerable to shocks like extreme weather, housing crises, and supply chain disruptions.
This concentration of humanity—over 4+ billion people today, heading toward 7 billion in urban settings by mid-century—demands a new metaphor for the Earth. It’s no longer enough to think locally; we must connect the dots across disciplines and borders to build resilient, inclusive, and cities that sustain the world. Yes, The Urban Planet.
The CityAge System: Connection, Impact and Solutions
At CityAge, we’ve evolved far beyond hosting gatherings. We’re a multifaceted platform dedicated to building brands that resonate in the urban age, crafting campaigns that mobilise action, and connecting leaders, investors, and technology pioneers to turn vision into reality. Best of all, we find solution makers to almost any problem. Our community of over 25,000 allows us to tap in leaders from government, business, and tech sectors, all who we can call on as advisors. We call this The CityAge System. And its proven to work.
What sets us apart? Our well-thought-out verticals, each designed to intersect and amplify the others, addressing the interconnected challenges of The Urban Planet:
Space: Leveraging satellite tech and geospatial data to enhance urban planning and global connectivity.
GreenBlueOceans: Focusing on sustainable ocean resources and coastal resilience, recognizing how blue economies build urban futures, and how to protect the oceans from us and keep it healthy.
AI, Data & Tech: Harnessing artificial intelligence and big data to optimize governance, infrastructure, trade and daily life.
Metals, Minerals, and Energy: Innovating in resource extraction and clean energy to power and build The Urban Planet.
Smart City Life: Creating tech-enabled solutions for healthier, more efficient urban living, from mobility to community well-being.
Trade and Investment: Linking urban ambitions to capital flows, fostering economic growth through strategic partnerships.
CityAge Investments: We present companies, technologies and leaders that are, or soon will, make breakthroughs. This isn’t investment advice; it’s a place to amplify great ideas and people.
These verticals aren’t silos—they’re interconnected threads in the fabric of the Urban Planet. For instance, AI-driven data from space can inform green energy strategies, while trade investments accelerate smart city deployments. By bridging these areas, CityAge empowers leaders to collaborate on campaigns that deliver measurable impact and solutions.
The Urban Planet isn’t a distant future—it’s here, and it’s ours to shape. If you’re a leader, investor, or innovator passionate about building the future, let’s connect. Reach out to explore how CityAge can help build your brand, launch a campaign, or forge the partnerships that matter.
What are your thoughts on the Urban Planet? Share in the comments—let’s discuss how we can collaborate to build better cities.
#UrbanPlanet #CityAge #UrbanInnovation #SustainableCities #FutureOfCities
