↑ Invent City includes a proposed micro, urban World's Fair, launched with a tall ships event.
CITIES ARE THE DRIVERS OF THE FUTURE
Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
THE HEAT IS ACCELERATING
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Crossing 450 ppm could lock in irreversible climate feedback loops—raising risks for every city on Earth.
THE HEAT IS ACCELERATING
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Deadly heatwaves, droughts, and disasters are escalating. The climate is shifting faster than cities can adapt.
SEA LEVELS THREATEN CITIES
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Coastal cities face mounting risks. Infrastructure, drinking water, and millions of lives are in the balance.
UN via Politico
(Click the graphics to enlarge)
MISSION:
TRANSFORM FIDI INTO A MARKETING POWERHOUSE FOR URBAN, CLIMATE INNOVATION
OBJECTIVES
> Accelerate deployment urban climate solutions globally
> Drive breakthroughs to go from niche to mainstream
> Increase demand for FiDi’s ~30% vacant offices
> Turn climate action into a powerful economic engine
> Boost city tax revenue amid potential federal cuts
5 POINT
STRATEGY
1/5. Lead with ECONOMICS — the Strongest Driver — Emphasize the high cost of inadequte action, and the significant economic and investment upside of persuing climate solutions. Focus on market forces that are driving the long term market. Convey the economic implications to all stakeholders.
COST V GDP
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Climate inaction could cut global GDP by 37% by 2100. Cities are already paying: $19B from Hurricane Sandy, $40B for Jakarta’s Great Garuda, $4B/year for Miami by 2050, and Cape Town’s $1B Day Zero crisis.
Source: UCL
INDUSTRIES
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The $12.3T carbon-zero economy will far exceed NYC’s $2T GDP. Invent City positions NYC to capture this surge and turn climate action into economic growth.
POPULATION
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Urban growth, especially in developing regions, is driving climate pressure—and opportunity. Invent City will partner with the UN to showcase scalable solutions for fast-growing markets.
(click on the maps to enlarge)
2/5. Build an Urban, Carbon Zero INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER — Like Napa for wine, Wall Street for finance, and Boston for biotech, clusters thrive by concentrating businesses, suppliers, and institutions around a shared focus. A climate innovation cluster in FiDi would target key urban systems—transport, buildings, energy, waste, water—focused on both mitigation and adaptation. Supporting sectors like finance, AE, and legal will drive deployment at scale.
3/5. Anchor the Cluster with a TRADE MART, TRADE EVENTS, and a VIRTUAL PRESENCE — The Trade Mart will showcase global carbon-zero solutions and connect businesses, investors, and policymakers in one dynamic hub. Trade events—expos, competitions, roundtables—will bring the Mart to life, driving deal-making and collaboration. A digital nervous system—metaverse, VR, AR, and a dedicated app—will extend access and engagement 24/7.
TRADE MART
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The $12.3T carbon-zero economy will dwarf NYC’s $2T economy. Invent City will help NYC capture this opportunity, turning the climate crisis into an economic engine.
TRADE EVENTS
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The $12.3T carbon-zero economy includes 11 industries, many highly relevant to cities and NYC. With accelerating growth, NYC has an extraordinary opportunity to lead this market and capture high-profit potential.
METAVERSE
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Invent City will feature industry-specific showrooms, organized into zones. These zones can overlap, like transportation near Fulton Center, leveraging its subway and PATH connections.
(click on the maps to enlarge)
4/5. Locate the cluster and trade mart in the FINANCIAL DISTRIC (FiDi) — FiDi with 13 subway lines, 30 bus routes, 18 ferries, the Downtown Shuttle, and 35 CitiBike stations offers unmatched accessibility, is a node on the blue highway, is surrouned by the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliencey project. and a blue highway node, global recognition, and abundant vacant office space of approximately 30%.
ACCESSIBLE
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FiDi is one of North America’s most transit-connected neighborhoods—13 subway lines, 30 bus routes, 18 ferries, a Downtown Shuttle, and 35 CitiBike stations link it to every major NYC hub and airports.
AMPLE SPACE
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FiDi’s high vacancy rate offers ready-to-use office space ideal for Carbon Zero showrooms, exhibits, and events. Source: Cushman & Wakefield, Q3 2024.
KNOWN
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FiDi is a historic icon—home to Wall Street, the NYSE, and key milestones like George Washington’s inauguration and Edison’s first electrified district.
RESILIENCY MODEL
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FiDi is leading urban resiliency with the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project—building floodwalls, storm barriers, and climate-proof infrastructure.
OVERFLOW POTENTIAL
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FiDi’s ferry network links to Liberty State Park, Governors Island, and Brooklyn hubs—boosting capacity for major events and high-traffic days.
BLUE HIGHWAY
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As part of NYC’s Blue Highway, FiDi supports low-impact cargo transport via water and small land vehicles—cutting congestion and infrastructure costs. See hubs.
(click on the maps to enlarge)
To strengthen FiDi’s operational backbone, Invent City proposes a network of urban hubs. This network would support selective pedestrianization—unlocking significant economic and investment value for the district.
5/5. Implement a Robust Revenue Strategy — Build long-term brand partnerships through program sponsorships. Offer exhibit and event sponsorships for focused visibility. Provide naming rights for exclusive branding opportunities. Engage community support through contributions from residents, businesses, and advocates. Monetize the app with ads and DOOH integration to drive digital and real-world engagement.
TACTICS.
MAKING IT HAPPEN
1/11. Identify a pilot location — To prove feasibility, surface issues, collect data, build support, and de-risk scaling.
2/11. Communicate Stakeholder Value — Continuously demonstrate value to building owners, corporations, residents, and the city. Clear communication builds trust and ensures long-term support.
3/11. Identify specific areas in FiDi for specific industry zones — Build the cluster around 11 industries identified by McKinsey, with $12T in potential revenue by 2030. These industries anchor the trade mart and events. See industries.
4/11. Build with Strategic Events — Use roundtables and trade shows to spark dialogue, unite stakeholders, and drive climate solutions. See events.
5/11. Build virtual platforms starting with a website — Virtual spaces—apps and the metaverse—cut costs, boost visibility, and attract new stakeholders. They promote events, enhance the showroom, and strengthen the cluster. See virtual.
6/11. Continue to develop a pilot Urban Hub — Urban Hubs willmanage micro-cargo, transit, waste, and sanitation, cutting GHG emissions and enhancing functionality. Boosts the cluster’s competitiveness. Learn more.
↑ Pedestrianized William Street, between Pine and Liberty Streets.
A Bold Response To An Urgent Crisis. Significant Economic Benefits
Environmental Benefits — Invent City is NYC’s global marketing hub for climate innovation—delivering real environmental impact both locally and worldwide. NYC will lead by example—piloting solutions in places like the South Bronx (asthma hotspots) and underserved neighborhoods (food deserts). These real-world demonstrations will spark global replication in cities like Kanpur, India and Jakarta, Indonesia—driving market-based sustainability at scale.
- Accelerates the deployment of scalable climate solutions
- Helps breakthrough tech move from early adoption to mainstream
- Promotes nature-based infrastructure and resilient urban design
- Raises public awareness through bold, visible showcases
Benefits to Participating Companies — Invent City connects innovators, buyers, and decision-makers in one high-impact platform—fueling growth and positioning companies at the forefront of climate innovation.
- Increased Sales — Expand revenue through more buyer access
- Networking & Collaboration — Connect with key players and partners
- Access to Innovation — Tap into new ideas and emerging talent
- Global Visibility — Put your brand on the world stage
- Deeper Virtual Relationships — Stay engaged beyond the event
- Targeted Engagement — Reach high-intent buyers and decision-makers
- Business Development — Unlock leads and enter new markets
- Thought Leadership — Build authority and brand influence
General Economic Benefits for NYC — Invent City jumpstarts NYC’s economy by converting underused space into a global hub for climate innovation and commerce.
- Job Creation — Drive employment across diverse industries
- Revenue Recovery — Reignite property, sales, and tourism tax flows
- Office Activation — Fill vacancies with innovation-driven uses
- Business Tourism — Attract high-value visitors via trade events
- Capital Magnet — Draw startups, investors, and global climate partners
- Economic Growth — Boost clean energy, mobility, and infrastructure sectors
Tourism Industry Benefits for NYC — Business tourism powers NYC’s visitor economy—driving year-round spending across hotels, dining, retail, media, and transit. Business travelers stay longer, spend more, and return often. Invent City is designed to attract them—not sightseers, but dealmakers. Through immersive showrooms, trade shows, and expos, it draws the people who move markets.
- Year-Round Demand — Boost hotel occupancy, even off-season
- High-Value Visitors — Attract professionals who spend more and stay longer
- Revenue Across Sectors — Increase spend in dining, shopping, transit, and media
- Business Events Engine — Drive visitation through world-class trade shows and expos
- Repeat Travelers — Build loyalty among high-intent, global audiences
| Metric | 2024 Baseline (NYC) | Invent City Impact (Projected) |
|---|---|---|
| Total visitors | 65 million | 1 million |
| Economic impact | $79 billion | $1.2 billion |
| Direct spending | $51 billion | $785 million |
| Tax revenue generated | $6.8 billion | $105 million |
| Jobs supported | 388,000 | ~6,000 |
Real Estate Benefits for NYC — Invent City turns vacant offices into high-impact hubs—reviving FiDi’s real estate market with innovation, trade, and climate solutions. As occupancy climbs, landlords gain pricing power, property tax revenues rise, and investor interest grows. This transformation fuels broader economic development—energizing streets, supporting local businesses, and setting a global example for adaptive reuse.
- Higher Occupancy — Activate underused office space with purpose-driven tenants
- Stronger Rents — Command better lease terms through higher demand
- Increased Tax Revenue — Boost local government funding via rising valuations
- Investor Confidence — Attract capital into a revitalized, future-ready district
- Vibrant Streetscape — Support shops, restaurants, and public life with steady foot traffic
| Category | 1M SF Showroom @ $50/SF | 1.5M SF Office @ $50/SF | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Rent Revenue | $50 million | $75 million | $125 million |
| One-Time Buildout | $75M–$150M | $150M–$300M | $225M–$450M |
| Direct Jobs Supported | 4,000–5,000 | 6,000–10,000 | 10,000–15,000 |
| Annual Visitor Spending | $75M–$150M | N/A | $75M–$150M |
| Annual Wages Generated | $360M–$500M (est.) | $540M–$1B (est.) | $900M–$1.5B (est.) |
| Total Economic Impact | $150M–$300M+ | $900M–$2B+ | $1.05B–$2.3B+ |
Now is the time to act. For NYC. For the planet.
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