Key takeaways from the Future of Cities Forum
On 5 March, the Future of Cities Forum took place bringing together policy stakeholders and urban experts to explore how cities can balance the opportunities and pressures associated with the urban growth while ensuring they remain liveable and resilient.
On 5 March, the Future of Cities Forum took place in Brussels, bringing together a diverse and insightful group of policy stakeholders and urban experts to explore how cities can balance the opportunities and pressures associated with the urban growth and transformation including, housing, mobility, sustainability, economic development and tourism, while ensuring they remain liveable, inclusive and resilient.
Between discussions, several key ideas emerged:
- Balance requires smart policy: addressing real challenges while preserving the benefits that economic activity and urban development brings to local communities.
- Residents must remain at the centre of the conversation.
- Cities can thrive when growth is managed inclusively supporting vibrant local economies.
- Data enables better decisions. From understanding mobility patterns to mapping visitor flows and housing trends, better access to reliable data can help cities design more evidence-based, proportionate and effective approaches.
The forum set the scene for a continuing dialogue on how we shape cities that thrive economically, remain liveable for residents, and continue to inspire visitors. Participants agreed that the future of cities is far from binary, and that continued dialogue will be essential to getting the balance right.
Building on the ideas and insights that emerged from the discussions, the Future of Cities Coalition will continue this conversation and work to advance practical solutions for cities across Europe.