Melbourne needs a clear sense of what it wants its character to be and a niche that will give it a clear sense of direction into the future, a former mayor of New York says.

Bill de Blasio says that as Melbourne’s population accelerates towards a projected 9 million by 2050, it cannot be left to governments to develop a dynamic shape for the city.

“In a world changing this rapidly, there has to be a very clear sense of identity and direction,” the two-time New York mayor says.

“It’s fair to say, mostly, governments struggle to do that, to figure out what the niche is, what the special sauce is that makes a city meaningful and truly unique.”

De Blasio and global planning pioneer Carlos Moreno are the headline international speakers joining local experts to discuss Melbourne’s future at a conference presented by The Age and the University of Melbourne.

Melbourne Assembly will over three days host crucial conversations for the future of the city encompassing four key themes: Innovation and Education, Shaping the City, Healthy Places and People, plus Sport and the Arts.

It will examine if Melbourne’s sporting and cultural arenas are well positioned for our city to retain the title of Australia’s sports and arts capital, and look at where future leaders will work and in what jobs.

Various organisations have teamed up with The Age to host this public discussion, which will take place at The Edge in Federation Square from October 19 to 21. In addition to the University of Melbourne, sport and entertainment precinct Melbourne Park and health insurer Bupa have joined the event’s major partners. Right Angle, the City of Melbourne and the Committee for Melbourne are supporting partners.

De Blasio says artificial intelligence will be the most challenging and pervasive issue facing cities, and its future impact cannot be left to national governments or big tech companies to dictate.

“A lot of the ramifications become very local, particularly on things like employment and job displacement, but other issues as well,” he says. “Having a vision for how to address AI right down to the local level, particularly for a major city like Melbourne, makes a lot of sense.”

De Blasio also flags climate change as an issue cities around the world are grappling with, and says that as a coastal city Melbourne will need to adapt.

De Blasio’s record as New York mayor included taxing high-income earners to pay for free kindergarten places, tackling affordable housing, raising the city’s minimum wage and – infamously – going viral for eating a piece of pizza with a knife and fork.

Moreno, meanwhile, is a Paris-based professor and creator of the concept of the 15-minute city, a principle that everything you need should be within 15 minutes’ walk or public transport of your home – schools, shops, libraries, parks, transport, job opportunities and healthcare.

He developed the principle to help cities move towards low traffic and low carbon futures, but says it is also relevant to the housing crisis relegating affordable homes to Melbourne’s fringes.

“People pushed into living far away have difficulty accessing the local services, medical services, cultural activities, and educational services,” he says.

“For this reason, the 15-minute city is an amazing opportunity for transforming radically this situation.”

The concept has already provided inspiration to the City of Melbourne and the Victorian government, which implemented “20-minute neighbourhoods” in its statewide planning and development strategy Plan Victoria.

In the coming weeks and months, The Age will bring you stories featuring ideas for how to make our city a better place to live, work and play.

We’d love to hear your ideas too. Enter your thoughts and questions on these important issues into the space provided above.

Melbourne Assembly will be held from October 19 to October 21. More information is available on the Melbourne Assembly website, including special offers for Age subscribers.