AGORA Strategic Dialogue

Influenced by the trajectories outlined by the IPCC and biodiversity experts, cities are on the brink of significant changes to ensure liveability for their inhabitants. These changes will dramatically shape urban life, yet planning for the uncertainties and complexities ahead is often overlooked. This workshop invites participants to explore urban life in 2040 through scenarios and futuring methodologies by using diverse personas to bring those distant realities to life.

Through interactive discussions, we will examine the impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises on life in cities, food production, energy supply, mobility patterns, the role of nature in future cities, local and creative industries, etc.

We will also explore how urban work environments and lifestyles may evolve. Participants will delve into adaptation and mitigation strategies, uncovering key uncertainties, identifying ‘known unknowns,’ and remaining alert to potential ‘unknown unknowns.’

By engaging with these scenarios, participants will contribute valuable insights to the ongoing update of the DUT Roadmap and identify action areas to navigate crises and uncertainty while shaping pathways to thrive in the years ahead. Key questions will be:

• How will urban life in 2040 be shaped by the climate and biodiversity crises, and how can we prepare for these changes?
• How might lifestyles evolve in response to ongoing environmental, technological, and social shifts?
• What are the key uncertainties and ‘known unknowns’ that cities must address in planning for a thriving, sustainable future?

This AGORA Dialogue will bring together participants from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, including local public administrations, the research and innovation community, NGOs, Urban Doers, the creative and cultural sectors, representatives of funding agencies and ministries as well as anyone interested in exploring and discussing the key questions raised in the workshop.

For questions, requests and saying hi: lisa.hudson-bushart@ffg.at & johannes.riegler@dutpartnership.eu

Registration is now closed.