The French EU Presidency, supported by the EUKN in partnership with URBACT is excited to share the second Policy Lab in the Art of Just-City-Making Series
With digitalisation gaining a key role in public debates of the last decade, the need to rethink the 2007 Leipzig Charter to include such discussions emerged. The 2020 New Leipzig Charter was conceived to include digitalisation in all aspects of urban matters -including mobility, housing, education, and governance - proving its cross-cutting nature and its pivotal role in pursuing sustainable urban development.
As highlighted by the New Leipzig Charter, digitalisation can be a powerful tool to foster the social cohesion of cities when based on the values of inclusivity, human-centeredness, and transparency. It can be used as a mean to empower citizens and strengthen democratic governance, as well as to involve cities of all sizes in economic flows and industries, including tourism or other sectors generally linked to larger urban areas. However, all that glitters is not gold, and the risks associated with digitalisation must be considered. Mostly related to security, privacy protection, and ethical concerns, these risks also include the increase in social and territorial inequalities linked to a lack of adequate infrastructures and knowledge.
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided the world with a relatively comprehensive picture: while digital means brought people closer despite physical distances, inequalities were exacerbated for the people with no access to such means.
Considering the unveiled dichotomy, how can we ensure digitalisation is used to create just cities and not increase inequalities between larger, medium, and smaller cities?
How can policymakers facilitate digital transformations based on the values of inclusivity, human-centeredness, and transparency?
The Just and Digital Policy Lab will focus on these and more questions, providing a platform for policymakers to reflect on adequate policy frameworks to seize the potential of the digital transformation while addressing the risks it entails.
Panellists:
Maria Yeroyanni, Senior Policy Officer – Innovating Cities, DG RTD
Pierre-Louis Rolle, Director Strategy and Innovation, French National agency for territorial cohesion (ANCT)
Nicolas Castet, Lead partner of the URBACT Active Citizens network, City of Agen
Discussant:
Alison Partridge, Lead Expert of the Tech Revolution 2.0 Network, URBACT
Moderators:
Livia del Conte, Policy and Project Officer, EUKN
Nuala Morgan, Head of Unit – Capitalisation & Communication, URBACT
