Abstract

Called the Future Cities Dialogue, this research engaged urban citizens in potential future urban scenarios. Three workshops took place, focusing on possible future outcomes of six urban systems (energy, food, health, transport, waste and water). All participants were then invited to a summit, where all six systems were brought together into integrated future scenarios.

Ten key principles emerged, which took account of participants’ preferences for the future cities they desired:

• services should cater for all, with no one left behind owing to lack of access to technology or resources;
• technology shouldn’t lead to us losing skills or make us ‘dumb’ by removing choice;
• greater local involvement in running services is desired, but government oversight is still preferred for some systems;
• innovation should spark grassroots innovation, bringing communities together and encouraging sharing of resources;
• online can improve efficiency but this shouldn’t be at the expense of face-to-face interaction;
• technology shouldn’t be obtrusive but allow freedom to ignore ‘nudges’ from smart devices;
• systems integration will result in increased sharing of data, with benefits such as more targeted services, but data must be stored and transferred securely;
• integration should use resources efficiently, making greater use of renewable energy sources and reusing waste;
• innovation should support socialising, and art and culture; and
• food should retain its naturalness, for health as well as social and cultural reasons.