We combined the elements of a preferable future in the vision described below:
In a complex reality where digitization and automation keep gaining pace, we strive for sobriety, simplicity, and straightforward connections between existing systems. We aim for solidarity and social contact, meaningful activities, qualitative leisure, and sustainability. Ghent will become a region full of talent and the go-to climate city in Flanders where mobility is a basic right and where people think globally in a co-creative way.
When writing the scripts, we took into account what our respondents deemed preferable for the future. Visions of what is important for (people in) Ghent were also starting points for our initial thematic sessions and meetups. During these meetings, we collected original input on what is desirable to our participants and what they wish to avoid.
The speed with which digitalization and automation evolve, the complexity involved and its impact on today’s value frameworks, is experienced as problematic by many of the participants. When shaping the futures, this translates to (1) the importance of social contact, (2) adapted time management (around principles of activity and leisure), and (3) adapted spatial interpretation (vacancy, green in the city).
According to the participants, a preferable future of Ghent is therefore characterized by (a) solidarity and inclusion, (b) welfare (labor, leisure, mental and physical health) , (c) livability (urban space and mobility), supplemented by the requirement of (d) (ecological) sustainability.
The participants believe that for this purpose, (i) knowledge sharing, constant (ii) innovation, (iii) co-creation, and (iv) entrepreneurship are paramount.
Governments, companies, research and educational institutes as well as citizens are jointly responsible for working towards these targets.4 These can only be realized when facilitated by a combination of:
(v) Intercommunication between the different actors and (vi) inclusiveness are seen as necessary conditions for this.
