Sister Cities Challenges Series

Across the world’s alpine regions, beauty draws people in – but growth can strain the very systems that make these places liveable. In the third installment of the Sister City Challenges series, leaders from Aspen and Queenstown came together to tackle two of the toughest infrastructure issues facing these mountain resort towns: energy and transport.

The forum was opened by Sharon Fifield, CEO of the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, who reflected on the shared pressures faced by resort towns like Aspen and Queenstown – where infrastructure must serve not only residents, but also large seasonal visitor populations. She noted that these challenges create fertile ground for innovation, and welcomed the forum as a valuable opportunity to exchange practical ideas between globally connected but locally grounded communities.

Moderated by Aspen Institute NZ CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp, the conversation revealed just how tightly energy and transport systems are now linked – and how innovative thinking, community engagement, and international knowledge exchange can deliver resilient, affordable solutions. While local in detail, the lessons shared apply to any community navigating growth, climate pressure, and the need to build with people at the centre.

To view the webinar and follow-up article, see HERE