VIRTUAL Barcelona Livable Cities

Abstract

Urbanisation has historically served as a catalyst for innovation, creating concentrated spaces where ideas, expertise, and resources converge. This pattern has accelerated dramatically in the modern era, with cities becoming primary sites for addressing urgent global challenges, particularly climate change. As urban populations continue to expand—with projections indicating that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050—cities have become both significant contributors to climate change and critical laboratories for sustainable solutions (United Nations, 2022). Within this context, youth have emerged as influential agents of change. Their technological fluency, educational background in sustainability principles, and generational stake in addressing climate challenges make them natural leaders in this arena (UNDP, 2023). This phenomenon is particularly evident in Kuwait and Egypt as they present compelling case studies of youth-led urban climate innovation. Despite their distinct socioeconomic profiles—Kuwait as a high-income Gulf state with significant oil wealth, and Egypt as a middle-income country with diverse economic challenges—both nations face serious climate vulnerabilities. This paper examines how young innovators in Kuwait and Egypt are addressing urban climate challenges through technological, social, and policy innovations. It investigates the ecosystems supporting youth climate action in both countries, focusing particularly on the role of international bodies in nurturing these initiatives. By analysing specific case studies, barriers to implementation, and opportunities for expansion, this research contributes to understanding how youth engagement can accelerate urban climate solutions in the MENA region and beyond, ultimately supporting the transition toward more sustainable, resilient urban futures.