As we embark on the final countdown before this year’s SXSW kicks off on Friday, March 8^th, there are several panels and sessions to get excited about as it relates to infrastructure. There is this crossroads of tech and infrastructure and what better place to learn about it than at SXSW. The panels and sessions vary from housing to mobility to inclusion to AI for policy-making. Read through our favorites below and also be sure to check out several of installments throughout week at Focus15.

Strategies to Achieve Smart and Accessible Cities

As cities become more and more filled with the IoT, the need to make technology truly inclusive within a city is key for continued growth. With a variety of challenges, cities continue to lack proper accessibility for those who are disabled or elderly. This session brings together the ideas needed to bring disabilities to the forefront of the conversation around Smart Cities. Hear from thought leaders from Chicago to Mexico to Microsoft to a policy adviser for technology and accessibility.

Friday, March 8
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hilton Austin Downtown
Salon B

The Collaborative Approach to Affordable Housing

Meet Kathy LaBorde from Gulf Coast Housing Partnerships and Sonya Mays from Develop Detroit. This session brings in two different perspectives from two cities who faced turmoil caused by either economic downturn or natural disaster. Detroit and New Orleans are together to discuss key partnerships with collaborative companies like Housing Partnership Network (HPN) led by Tom Bledsoe. By having a collaborative approach and sharing the conversation with social impact companies and nonprofits, the ability for re-growth within affordable housing after devastation is possible. The key is collaboration.

Friday, March 8
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Austin Downtown
Salon A

Gauging Urban Change with Google Street View

Infrastructure and technology come to its peak when thinking about how artificial intelligence can bring data into policy making. Join Harvard economist, Edward Glaeser, as he discusses how his research findings show the power of Google Street View with its real time data for neighborhoods and streets can help predict various trends within that area. By government embracing this idea and being fluid to what is possible, AI can bring in the data need for important policy-making. Joining Glaeser in this discussion is researcher and director of state and local policy at Manhattan Institute, Michael Hendrix, and Ann Zadeh representative and city planner from Fort Worth.

Friday, March 8
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hilton Austin Downtown
Salon B

Featured Session: Palaces for the People

Pivoting away from technology and into social infrastructure is sociologist and author, Eric Klinenberg, who leads this featured session on cities having a robust social infrastructure (libraries, public places, schools) to create lasting communities. Throughout his presentation, Klinenberg showcases how these projects help move the conversation forward for issues like climate change and violence. His book, Palaces for the People (2018) will be available for purchase in the SXSW Bookstore.

Sunday, March 10
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Austin Downtown
Salon H

Step Aside, Cities: Innovations in Rural Mobility

While most of the attention tends to be on improving urban transportation and developing technology solutions for the ever-growing city, there is this new wave focus on rural mobility starting in Wyoming with the Interstate 80 connected corridor. The goal of connected vehicles in remote locations is to bring out public safety to save lives through the help of continued innovation. Join Dia Gainor from the National association of State EMS Officials, Gabe Gutierrez from the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Jake Swanton from Lyft, and Elina Zlotchenko from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Tuesday, March 12
5 – 6 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott
Rio Grande Ballroom