Stephen Yarwood

Urbanist | Futurist | Founder of city2050 | Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide

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Stephen Yarwood is an urbanist, futurist, and award-winning Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. Formerly the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, he has over 30 years of international experience across public and private sectors. Known for his passion for cities, entertaining honesty, innovative approach and strategic insight, Stephen is an engaging communicator deeply committed to people and the planet. He thrives on having fun whilst using AI powered mentoring to navigate and shape a rapidly evolving and uncertain future.

stephen-yarwood

Years of experience

Strategic PlanningForesight & FuturesAI & TechnologyPublic SpeakingPlacemakingStakeholder Engagementunderstanding Elected MembersGovernancePersonal & Professional long term Planning

Education & Affiliations

Bachelor of Arts in Planning (University of South Australia)

Graduate Diploma in Regional & Urban Planning (University of South Australia)

Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies (University of Adelaide)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) (University of Adelaide)

Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia

stephen-yarwood

Career Highlights

Consulting Futurist, Urbanist & Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide (2010-2014)

Founder of city2050, an international consultancy shaping urban futures

Award-winning Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia with 30+ years’ experience

Delivered strategic planning across Australia, NZ, Middle East, North America, and Asia

Board Member/Chair of numerous board and committees

Presented keynotes to over 150,000 global participants, including Moscow Urban Forum, World Cities Summit & Airbnb Open

Advisor on mega projects in Saudi Arabia and global advisory board member for Airbnb

Principal Planner in Local Government, Research Officer in the SA Parliament & Strategic & Policy Planner in State Government

Expert in AI integration, cross-disciplinary strategic foresight, and transformative urban leadership

About

Stephen Yarwood is an internationally active urbanist and futurist, renowned for his deep commitment to transforming cities and communities to become more sustainable, liveable, and productive. A Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and former Lord Mayor of Adelaide, his unique leadership style and innovative ideas have placed him at the forefront of urban thinking in Australia.

Throughout his 30-year career, Stephen has provided strategic foresight and thought leadership across local, state, national, and international platforms. His expertise extends beyond city planning and management, encompassing diverse sectors including education, health, and corporate strategy.

Stephen’s approach is defined by cross-disciplinary thinking, blending insights from urban planning with science, art, philosophy and technology as well as strategic governance and social innovation. Recognised as a thought leader on the “future citizen,” his extensive exploration of artificial intelligence’s impacts on personal and professional development positions him to support leaders in an age of profound change. Stephen leverages advanced AI tools both in his personal and professional life as well as in mentorship roles, demonstrating firsthand how AI reshapes decision-making, enhances strategic planning, and empowers individuals and organisations to navigate complex, rapidly evolving situations.

Stephen’s professional credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Planning, Graduate Diplomas in Regional & Urban Planning and Environmental Studies, and an MBA from the University of Adelaide. He has worked as a Urban Planner in State and Local Government, as a researcher in the South Australian Parliament and his academic experience includes roles as an adjunct lecturer at the Adelaide University Business School and speaker at universities in Japan, Thailand, and the USA.

As founder of city2050, Stephen continues to promote meaningful change through keynote speaking, tailored training, strategic workshops, consulting, coaching, and mentoring. His current work focuses extensively on governance innovation, infrastructure futures, smart city planning, and the transformative implications of artificial intelligence across urban planning and management.

Stephen is an engaging and insightful mentor who uses humour and practical wisdom to empower people to embrace innovation, navigate complexity, and proactively shape their futures. To learn more about Stephen Yarwood’s work or engage his expertise, visit city2050.com.au or explore his detailed professional history and endorsements on LinkedIn.

Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia

Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia

Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia
Testimonial
Stephen is an extremely 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.

Felicity Anne Lewis
Past National President, Australian Local Government Association & former Mayor of Marion
Testimonial
Stephen is a powerhouse presenter who can hold an audience on the edge of their seats with his fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow. His content is as entertaining as it is informative, it authentically challenge’s prevailing wisdom and invites us all to consider the reality of the velocity of change occurring around us.
His presentations provide an insightful portal into the societal transformations across a range of disciplines and domains on our doorstep. He does it with his trademark enthusiasm and optimism, leaving his audiences inspired and better prepared for the inevitability of the tsunami of change.

Fairlie Delbridge
Chair, Real Estate Institute of South Australia

Stephen Yarwood

Urbanist | Futurist | Founder of city2050 | Former Lord Mayor of Adelaide

Years of experience

Education & Affiliations

Career Highlights

About

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