Monday, 23 April 2012, 11:15 a.m. - 1:10 p.m

The cities of the future will have to cope with huge challenges: demographic shifts, dwindling supplies of energy and water, environmental pollution and logistical bottlenecks. In many cases urban infrastructures are already overstretched. In the context of globalization this trend poses significant problems to the political, scientific and business communities.

The metropolitan regions are growth centers and laboratories for future development in the 21st century. Cities - as the future focus of human existence - will depend crucially on smart technologies to create efficient and networked infrastructures. Smart technologies can deliver innovative solutions to the current and future challenges confronting cities and municipalities in a variety of different areas.

Cities compete with each other to attract business, investment - and citizens. Only a "smart city" will be in a position to attract and retain a skilled workforce, while at the same time offering flexible public administration services to new businesses.

Competitive and sustained urban development requires smart infrastructure.

Monday, 23 April 2012, 1:30 - 3:20 p.m.

The trend towards urbanization plays a dominant role throughout the world. The causes of climate change are concentrated in cities. Climate protection measures are therefore most effective when implemented in urban areas. By adopting energy-efficient and climate-compatible solutions, metropolitan areas can pave the way to a carbon-neutral society.

Against this background it will be necessary to deploy smart technology to support automated, integrated and optimized utilization of resources and infrastructures.

With smart technology in high demand in Europe and worldwide, leading experts from industry, research, urban planning and municipal administration will come together to discuss innovative solutions.

Monday, 23 April 2012, 3:20 - 5:45 p.m.

The integration and networking of conventional and alternative energy sources at a national and regional level will change our energy supply system.

Increasing reliance on decentralized, fluctuating energy derived from renewable sources will necessitate more precise coordination of generation, storage and consumption. This in turn will require smart networking systems.

The security of citizens, information networks and the public infrastructure will pose a major challenge to tomorrow’s cities. Sensor networks and local services will provide the basis for monitoring and managing the various energy flows in cities - safely and reliably.

Tuesday, 24 April 2012, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

City dwellers consume 75% of the total energy that is generated worldwide.

Our future will be decided in the cities. Fifty-four percent of the world’s seven billion citizens already live in urban areas. This figure is expected to rise to between 70% and 80% by the year 2050. To a large extent the cities will determine the key future issues (political, economic, ecological, social and cultural). The cities will be the place where megatrends and scientific and technological innovations take hold.

Enhanced energy efficiency in buildings offers huge potential. Coupled with the increased utilization of solar and geothermal energy, upgrading residential and commercial buildings can deliver savings that are in excess of the current input from renewable sources.

Tuesday, 24 April 2012, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Water supply and wastewater disposal will account for a major share of future infrastructure investment. Thanks to the deployment of sophisticated sensors, networks and mobile communication solutions, it will be easier to monitor, evaluate and optimize these largely static urban infrastructures.

How can energy-saving measures in water supply and wastewater disposal plants reduce pressure on municipal service budgets?

Tuesday, 24 April 2012, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Urban mining reduces our dependence on imports and rising commodity prices. Day-to-day consumption is depleting natural resources, while at the same time the stocks of raw materials in our immediate vicinity are growing at a rapid pace.

Industry in general - and the waste disposal sector in particular – will develop new technologies that will enable raw materials to be deployed and exploited more effectively.

What are the triggering factors for cost-effective solutions? High commodity prices, price volatility, scarcity.

Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

The above-average (and in some cases dramatic) growth of megacities such as New Delhi and Mumbai poses a serious challenge to industry and the political community.

Electricity and water supplies, drainage, waste disposal and traffic management necessitate innovative technologies, as well as new forms of partnership between public administration, politics and industry.

Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mobilizing investments and innovations for sustainable residential and transportation development is an urgent requirement for cities around the world, particularly in the rapidly growing cities of the southern hemisphere.

Mobility in the city of the future will rely on the intelligent networking of infrastructure, transportation and buildings to achieve greater efficiency, affordability and environmental performance in public transportation and logistics.

Information and communication technologies will play a decisive role in the innovations that will lead to sustainable mobility. At the same time, new technologies offer improved security and convenience for users, and are a foundation for the future marketability of electric vehicles.

Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 1:00 - 5:45 p.m.

China is the Partner Country of HANNOVER MESSE 2012. Chinese cities are confronted with rapid population growth and will have to expand accordingly. New conurbations are emerging, such as the Pearl River Delta, which extends 150 km from Hong Kong to Guangzhou via Shenzhen.

In the next four decades 500 million people will migrate to China’s urban areas. To meet the enormous demand for residential accommodation China will need to build 500 new cities.

Experts will explore the possibilities for a productive discourse between "mature" cities in the industrialized countries and the rapidly growing cities in the developing and emerging nations. What can these cities learn from one another? What common approaches and development strategies exist – bearing in mind the different starting points and speeds of development?

Thursday, 26 April 2012, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Under the three thematic headings "Smart Car", "Smart Grid" and "Smart Traffic," various lectures and panel discussions will analyze the interfaces between mobility, energy, vehicle systems and information and communication technology. ICT plays a pivotal role in preparing the ground for innovations in the area of electromobility.

Thursday, 26 April 2012, 2:00 - 5:45 p.m.

Our modern society is becoming progressively more networked. Citizens use the Internet and social networks to communicate and obtain information. In the near future vehicles and machines will join together in the so-called "Internet of Things". This interaction between the virtual and real worlds will open up a whole new category of possibilities and applications - as well as potential threats. Key priorities are the digitization and integration of our systems for efficient collection, analysis and integration of data and its transformation into value-added information tailored to the requirements of cities and urban districts.

Friday, 27 April 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

In the morning the Metropolitan Solutions exhibitors will have an additional opportunity to present their solutions to a broad public in the context of 20-minute lectures.