Cities will always face unforeseen events – from natural disasters to economic crises. They are living organisms, and their physical infrastructure is in a constant state of deterioration and rebirth. Citizens must be valued for their crucial part in this ecosystem. No matter how intelligent the technology and how automated the interactions with it, a city will never run like a Swiss watch, nor will it necessarily be an attractive place to live. The existence of citizens is perhaps one of the only constants in cities as they evolve in new and yet-unimagined ways. Building solutions with the evolving needs and nature of citizens at the heart – and driving this change - will create an adaptable foundation on which to shape the future of cities.
The multitude of challenges facing European cities directly impact the citizens who live there. At the same time, citizens are contributors to urban issues, through their behavior and demography. They are also a crucial component in solutions, offering immense aggregate power from their behavioral change, education, participation and empowerment.
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