London Mayor to speak at future of Sydney event

By DANIEL LO SURDO

London Mayor Sadiq Khan will be the keynote speaker at an event held by the City of Sydney next month discussing the future visions of sustainable and global cities on the path to pandemic recovery.

The ‘CityTalk’ event, which will be held at Town Hall next month, will focus on exploring future-focussed ideas for green and connected cities following the pandemic, and will also include discussion on project ideas put forward in the Sydney 2030-2050 sustainability plan.

“There are synergies with my manifesto for London that I will look forward to sharing at the talk, particularly around pandemic recovery, affordable housing and climate change,” Mr Khan said.

“I share the City of Sydney’s vision for a global city that is forward-thinking, safer and greener – this is about putting forward a bold and positive vision to renew one of the world’s greatest cities.”

Also speaking at the event will be Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean and Committee for Sydney CEO Gabriel Metcalf. Cr Moore said that the event was a “wonderful opportunity to learn from the experience of local and global leaders”.

London mayor has campaigned for climate action, rent control and affordable transport options 

Mr Khan has been London mayor since succeeding Boris Johnson, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in 2016.

Prior to winning the mayoralty, Mr Khan was a member in the lower house of British Parliament, and since taking the posting, has campaigned for introducing rent controls in the city, climate change action, and affordable transport.

Earlier this month, City Hub reported that Cr Moore had asked the state government to support a new Sunday cycling takeover, which would involve free public transport, pausing the light rail and closing side streets to attract families back into the city following the pandemic.