The Evolution of the Cities Towards Equality and Climate Change
The Brussels Urban Summit, held from June 12th to 15th at SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre, brought together international delegates, politicians, business people, and civil society representatives. The Brussels Urban Summit brought together 3 international city conferences: the 14th Metropolis World Congress, the Eurocities Annual Conference, and the 6th OECD Champion Mayors Summit for Inclusive Growth.
The summit aimed to address the challenges of climate change, migration, urban growth, and inequality in cities worldwide. It emphasized the importance of green and inclusive solutions while exploring innovation, technology, and policy developments. The event highlighted the significance of urban-rural cooperation and the need for collaboration between governments.
Rebuilding Social Contracts
On the second day of the summit, discussions focused on tackling inequalities and rebuilding social contracts in cities. Glasgow’s Mayor emphasized the impact of inflation on poverty and the importance of economic degradation to end it. The Mayor of Barranquilla viewed the refugee crisis from Venezuela as an opportunity for demographic and economic growth, implementing fair work conditions and integration measures for Venezuelan refugees. Mayors from Bristol and Bratislava emphasized the need to build trust between leaders and the population through urban planning, city housing, and prioritizing fair social prospects.
Migration and Diversity
The summit recognized cities as opportunities for migrants and emphasized their positive contributions, such as skills, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit, which can foster innovation and economic development. Cities serve as cultural hubs that enrich the social fabric and promote integration, preventing radicalization and insecurity. Internal migration challenges were discussed, particularly in regions such as Mali, while the role of urban planning in integrating displaced people was emphasized. Providing equal rights and opportunities for migrants and refugees was highlighted as crucial.
Solar Cities
The concept of Solar Cities, integrating various renewable energy sources, was discussed as a mean to reduce fossil fuel consumption, meet rising electricity demands, and stimulate economic growth. Examples from Spain and Portugal showcased the benefits of investing in renewable energy, particularly the installation of photovoltaic systems on buildings. The growth of energy reservoirs and sharing between sectors contributed to lower prices. The potential for employment growth in renewable energy sectors was highlighted. Examples from Spain and Portugal were cited as models of investment in renewable energy and the positive economic growth associated with it.
Artificial Intelligence and Data for Sustainable Cities
The summit emphasized the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating smarter cities with advanced features for better urban living. AI applications included monitoring cleanliness and crowd density, analyzing crime intensity, utilizing autonomous flying drones for security purposes, and implementing AI or machine learning techniques for better governance and planning. Challenges such as transportation optimization, administration, and security surveillance were discussed, along with the need for policymaking and protection measures against cyberattacks.
City Leadership in a Global Climate Crisis
Local leadership played a vital role in climate change adaptation and increasing cities’ resilience. Strong decision-making and strategic planning were emphasized to combat climate change’s consequences. Climate change adaptation involved making existing and new infrastructures resistant to extreme weather events. The summit highlighted the need for cooperation among countries with varying levels of experience and resources in adapting to climate change. Governments were urged to prioritize actions and invest in green and smart city solutions while addressing the needs of marginalized populations and climate refugees.
Cooperation and Priorities
Local leadership has taken a special role in Climate Change Adaptation and in creating the structures needed to increase the resilience of the cities and their populations. Thus, strong decisions, decisive governing, and beforehand strategic planification are essential to face climate change and low the consequences of such climate events on human living.
Just like the AI case where policymaking is essential for the elaboration of new structures and action-driven actions of public services, to combat climate change. It’s important to have the political priorities structured in order to open the floor of upward businesses and industries to tackle it in time.
“The costs of stabilising the climate are significant but manageable; delay would be dangerous and much more costly”. – Nicholas Stern, Chairman of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and Head of the India Observatory at the London School of Economics.
The livelihoods are mostly weather-sensitive resources, so the local economic development strategy should consider climate change. Climate Change Adaptation does refer to making existing and new infrastructures resistant to extreme weather events.
We are all in this together…
Wrapping all up, this summit’s outcomes are focused on the need to cooperate and support countries with less experience and resources to jump to the Climate Change Adaptation side. The consequences of extreme climate events are equal, independent of geography. From Canada to Australia, governments will need to strategically plan actions in order to tackle all the needs, and challenges, and invest in the opportunities and priorities. Even though, the approach governments should focus it is undoubtedly different for each region to region. The defy is indeed starting beforehand thinking and searching for solutions that might integrate the evolution of the cities to green and smart cities, without forgetting to integrate the newest waves of climate refugees, working to develop policies that focus on the marginalized ones and don’t let anyone behind.
