Stories For A Sustainable Future

THEME II: SOCIETY
Urban spaces and connections
#EuropeanFootprints #WhatDoYouCareAbout
By 2030, it is expected that 5 billion people will live in cities worldwide. However, this increasing
trend towards urbanization brings about several issues. Among these urban challenges are traffic
congestion, the disappearance of green spaces, waste management, pollution, and the need to
provide enough job opportunities, adequate housing, and resources such as transport and energy.
At the same time, cities can be hubs of innovation, economic progress, creativity and social
connections with other inhabitants. One of our big challenges for the future will be to balance out
environmental and social sustainability with urban prosperity for all.
David, Slovenia
Coming from a small village in Slovenia with less than a hundred people, I was always
fascinated by cities: how they bring together so many people of various backgrounds
and beliefs, how they function, and how they solve the problems of offering to their
inhabitants not only the necessities for life, but also the conditions to socialize, educate,
innovate and generally prosper. I am
therefore passionate about making cities
and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable.
Slovenia has received praise for its high
standards in nature protection and
sustainability. It is the first country
I envision a future in which
our cities will have a
positive impact on people,
the economy, nature and the
climate.
awarded the Green Tourist Destination award, it ranks among the most sustainable
countries in the world, has the highest share of its area under the European Union's
Natura 2000 programme (37,9 %), and is one of Europe’s biodiversity hotspots. Slovenian cities
provide many good examples of sustainable and smart small and mid-sized communities. Nine municipalities (17% of the
entire population of Slovenia) are included in the Zero Waste network, the capital Ljubljana was named European Green
Capital 2016, and many efforts are made for comprehensive urban renovations. Many cities in Slovenia are closing their
centres for traffic to open up space for pedestrians and cyclists, are offering bike sharing systems (including electric bikes),
and are enabling the economic redevelopment of city centres.
I envision a future in which our cities will have a positive impact on
people, the economy, nature and the climate. One of the main principles
in achieving this is a better use and diversification of urban space and
resources. To do so, we must build upon a sustainable and diverse land
use, responsible construction and maintenance, and the reuse and
repurposing of all resources. At the same time, we must implement new
technologies for smart governing, monitoring, and managing of the
urban environment.