The future citizen is shaped by our decisions today.
Stephen Yarwood is a futurist and urbanist, and the former Lord Mayor of Adelaide. He helps cities, communities and businesses understand what's coming and prepare for it, working where artificial intelligence, technology, society and the future of urban life meet.
One of Australia's best-known contemporary urbanists and futurists, Stephen consults internationally on future city trends, AI and the future citizen, urban innovation, leadership and positive change. Through his consultancy city2050, he advises governments and organisations on urban governance, strategy and policy, with a focus on practical, future-focused outcomes.
Current Work
Stephen is widely regarded as a specialist on the future citizen: how people, technology, AI, infrastructure, society and the economy interact to shape quality urban life. He works as a consultant, speaker, trainer, facilitator, author and podcaster, and is a regular media commentator on cities and the future.
His planning experience is exceptionally broad, spanning strategy through to delivery on major projects across most land-use types and a wide range of environmental, economic, community, design and development challenges. He has worked and researched across Australia and New Zealand, Taiwan, Europe, the Middle East, China, India and the USA.
Previous Experience
Stephen was Lord Mayor of Adelaide from 2010 to 2014 and remains the youngest person ever elected Lord Mayor of an Australian capital city. By working closely with the private sector and State Government, he helped deliver change that saw Adelaide recognised internationally as an innovative destination by Lonely Planet, National Geographic and The New York Times.
Before becoming Lord Mayor, Stephen worked in the South Australian Government and Parliament, in local government, and internationally as a planner, researcher, educator and speaker.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Planning, Graduate Diplomas in Regional and Urban Planning and in Environmental Studies, and an MBA from Adelaide University. He has lectured at universities across Australia and in Japan, Singapore and Thailand, and is a Fellow and award-winning member of the Planning Institute of Australia.
Talking Points
Leading in the Age of AI
Why the future of leadership is more human, not less.Leading in the Age of AI
AI is rewriting how organisations decide, work and create value, and most leadership models haven't caught up. Stephen shows leaders how to cut through the hype, make confident calls under uncertainty, and double down on the human skills machines can't replace. Part wake-up call, part practical playbook, from someone who has led real change in government and business.
Audiences leave with: a clear read on how AI changes their role; how to lead teams through constant disruption; the questions every executive and board should be asking now.
The Future Citizen
The people you'll serve, employ and lead next.The Future Citizen
Your customers, staff and communities are changing faster than your strategy. AI, longer lives, new values and shifting demographics are rewriting what people expect, and organisations that misread them get left behind. Stephen paints a vivid, evidence-based picture of tomorrow's citizen and what it takes to stay relevant to them.
Audiences leave with: a sharp profile of the future citizen; where today's assumptions will break; how to design services, products and workplaces people actually want.
Strategic Foresight in an AI World
Turn uncertainty into your biggest advantage.Strategic Foresight in an AI World
Most strategy still bets on a future that looks like the past. That's a dangerous bet. Stephen hands leaders a practical foresight toolkit to anticipate change, stress-test plans against multiple futures, and use AI to sharpen human judgement rather than outsource it.
Audiences leave with: a method to turn trends into decisions; how to build strategy that survives surprise; where AI genuinely adds an edge in planning.
Future-Ready Governance
Sharper decisions for boards and elected leaders.Future-Ready Governance
Boards and councils are being asked to govern AI, risk and disruption that didn't exist a few years ago, often without the tools to do it. As a former Lord Mayor, Stephen knows the chamber and the boardroom from the inside. He helps directors and elected members ask better questions, govern emerging tech with confidence, and keep people at the centre of every decision. Works as a keynote or a hands-on board and council workshop.
Audiences leave with: a framework for governing AI and innovation; sharper questions for the table; confidence to lead change, not just react.
The Future of Cities
How AI, technology and design are reshaping where we live and work.The Future of Cities
The rules of city-making are being rewritten, from housing and CBDs to mobility, public space and liveability. Stephen blends frontline experience leading a capital city with a futurist's eye to show where places are heading and what it means for investment, communities and growth.
Audiences leave with: where cities are going and why; how AI and design shape liveability and value; what it means for their sector.
Video
Stephen Yarwood - Presentation - LGNZ 2015 Conference
Stephen Yarwood, former Lord Mayor of Adelaide spoke at the LGNZ 2015 Conference about 'Performance and customer focused culture - being the change you want to see in your city'.How cities evolve through temporary spaces: Stephen Yarwood at TEDxAdelaide
A town planner with nearly 20 years' experience in state and local government, Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has dedicated his professional life to developing cities. Stephen was elected an Adelaide City Councillor in October 2007 and was Deputy Lord Mayor in 2009. He is a member of the Adelaide Development Assessment Panel, Capital City Committee, Adelaide Parklands Authority, Rundle Mall Management Authority and the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors. He is also the Presiding Member of the Local Government Association committee, overseeing the State/Local Government Climate Change Sector Agreement. Stephen has an MBA, as well as post-graduate qualifications in Regional and Urban Planning and Environmental Studies. He worked as a researcher in state parliament before joining the City of Playford as Principal Planner for six years. Stephen has lectured in planning and management in several countries, as well as studying future cities in Tsukuba, Japan's technology city.Stephen is a big picture thinker able to distill complex ideas into useful solutions and real outcomes. His understanding of how cities work is outstanding and his commitment to advancing th ... keep reading City of Brisbane
Stephen is a well-respected innovative and creative urban expert that is visionary but practical. His knowledge and experience would be a valuable asset to cities preparing for the future.
Stephen is a dynamic and thought provoking workshop facilitator and trainer with excellent communication skills and an extensive knowledge of how cities work and are governed. At a time when it can be a challenge to get people to see issues differently, I was impressed with the way that Stephen seamlessly introduced ideas and different ways of thinking into the group dynamic. He collaborated with me as CEO to successfully engage Elected Members and Senior Executives to create a shared understanding of the opportunities the City of Prospect has moving forward.
Stephen intimately understands cities and the role of innovation and technology in their evolution. He is a dynamic thinker, effective collaborator and articulate communicator.
A brilliantly innovative talk. Clearly the best delivery in years.
A dynamic and thought-provoking keynote speaker who captivates audiences with his energy and insight... Highly recommended for any event looking to spark innovation.
A powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow.
An extremely well respected, innovative and creative urban expert who is visionary but practical.
