Leading Cities From The Left

The Initiative on Cities (IOC) is partnering with the Center for the Study of Europe at the Pardee School of Global Studies to host Leading Cities From The Left, a conversation with Mayor Thomas Geisel of Dusseldorf, Germany, on the challenges of leading a city from the political left.

The event will be taking place on September 22nd at the Pardee School, First Floor, 121 Bay State Road, Boston, from 12:00pm-2:00pm. 

Leading Cities From The Left will also feature Dan Koh, Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, and Kaija Schilde, Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Pardee School of Global Studies. Moderated by IOC Director Graham Wilson, the conversation will include a presentation on Dusseldorf as well as the Mayor’s goals for his thriving city.

Thomas Geisel was elected Mayor of Dusseldorf in June 2014. A lawyer by education (with an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School), Mayor Geisel worked in the energy sector prior to his position in City Hall. He is the first social democratic mayor in Dusseldorf after 15 years of conservative rule. 

Tasked with leading one of Europe’s business, financial, and cultural hubs, Mayor Geisel’s policy priorities include:

• Transportation and bike infrastructure
• Sustainable energy and the environment
• Housing affordability
• Effectively managing and serving a growing refugee population 
• Curating a strong relationship between the city and it’s flagship university, Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, which hosts over 20,000 students

What are the challenges associated with being an urban leader from the political left? How can a Mayor pursue a wide array of policy goals in the complicated environment of European politics? 

Join us September 22nd for lunch and an intimate talk with Mayor Geisel. 

Please register for the event here!