I had that splendid opportunity to participate in the 17th meeting of Governing Board of Joint Programming Initiative Urban Europe. It was a supremely important experience for such a young scientist as I am, whose professional interest is urban psychology, to discover not only what the workflow of such great international initiative looks like, but mostly – what the main interests and plans are for future projects connected with subject of urbanization on our continent.
Change of mindset
The world that we knew, through all centuries of European civilization, is changing dramatically. The processes of urbanization, technological development and degradation of the natural environment lead us to the point from which there is no way back to the previous stages. Neither we, nor our children would ever be able to live in a way our ancestors did. Moreover – we do not want to. We became accustomed to high technology, and even expect further, ‘invisible’ support in more and more areas of our daily functioning. It is a great opportunity for creating better solutions, which are about quality of life and natural environment. But on the other hand it is a great challenge, because we can do whatever we want to and treat current cities as living labs. However, every action causes a reaction and consequences which somebody will have to address. To maintain a level of living, or even improve it, to make it beneficial both for people and environment, we have to change our thinking about urbanization and role of technology in it.
People
And I must say that as a European, I am glad that such great and open-minded people, who I met during meeting in Rome, took great effort and put their passion and commitment into that ‘big thing’ (as I think I can call it) – the problem of urbanization. I was impressed when I saw how many aspects are taken into consideration. Personally, I am a specialist only in one domain – people. So I would like to share with you a few thoughts I have written just after coming back, with a head full of consideration, and emotions as well.
Reject the old-fashioned way of thinking
We can, of course, pioneer new policies, more efficient technologies, align researches… and so what? It is like trying to fit a new reality, meet new requirements, while squeezing them into old frames, isn’t it? Hence, in my opinion (not only as psychologist, but also as an ‘end-user’ of cities, or rather – as a human being living in XXI century), to be able to change something in our urban areas – in the way we develop them, in the way we use them, in the way we want to improve them – we have to reject the old-fashioned – let’s say it straight – way of thinking about the cities.
Cities should fulfil the needs of its citizens
Cities are not an invention of modern ages. They appeared thousands years ago in every civilization. They have grown from the human need of belonging, being together in a familiar habitat, because only in a relatively safe environment there is the possibility of development of creativity, culture and knowledge. Every new idea which appeared in cities was discovered, shared and used among people. Our meeting took place in Rome – the cradle of our civilization. We could see and feel what those who lived in that place during past millennia had created and left. For centuries they have chosen to live in the same place. Same place they rearranged for they needs. Because we should look at the cities, at their infrastructure and architecture as the means of fulfilling the needs of its citizens’: need of stimulation and exploration, need of self-development, need of belonging, need of gathering goods and resources and need of having optimal habitat. It is crucial that in every society the greatest punishment for not obeying the community’s laws was banishment – exile away from people and places. An animal without its herd dies.
Make a switch to urbanology
Of course, the economical aspect of the future of cities is nowadays one of most important ones, same as their energy efficiency and impact on climate change. Nevertheless at the very beginning of our way to a new urban world we should set a mile stone: the human being. And maybe not focus so hard on urbanization, but switch to urbanology. It might be an academic discussion at the beginning, rather philosophical than scientific probably. But before every big change and action, one should prepare a complex vision of steps which have to be taken and of their consequences. Thankfully, there is plenty of great solutions and answers hatched by others, through the centuries, for whom the future way of living was not indifferent.
Smart and human cities
Our cities should become smart. We should put an effort into research, new technologies. But not in a way of creating ‘user-friendly’ or ‘human-friendly’ cities. Cities do not exist without people. So if we have such a great and admirable ambitions, why do not develop human cities?
Basic rules
There is not one single recipe for solving our future urbanization problems. As we heard during the lecture – cities are so diverse in every country and region. And that is a great advantage. Nevertheless, like in chemistry all kinds of proteins, no matter how different they are and how many different roles they play, all are built from the same atoms, connected within same rules. In societies there are also some basic rules, which should be obeyed for the sake of the welfare and wellbeing of the whole community. And there is good news – scientists have discovered plenty of them. Moreover – solutions are ready to use.
I hope that JPI UE would really have such potential to become a hub for interdisciplinary and international discussion and cooperation. Like a great inventor – who is taking different atoms, to create new quality.
Imagine and do
So how to start it? Well, maybe from the very beginning. Let’s imagine that it is year 2050. You just wake up. Open your eyes. And then, what you do? Do not think what you see, about all those ‘fancy’ things around you. But what you do in this smart city you live in, in our urban Europe? From doing to needing. And then from needing – to what to do right now in 2014.
Dominika Stryjewska had an internship in ENEA – via Pioneers into Practice program. That is where she got knowledge about JPI UE. She was in Rome as a sort of “ambassador” of her country – to get some knowledge about real work of JPI UE and than refer to the Polish Ministry of Development. JPI Urban Europe hopes that Poland would be interested to join our initiative.