The digital revolution is underway and... causes a variety of emotions. How to use it for the thoughtful development of our cities? What pitfalls should we avoid? The impact of digitization on the sustainable development of cities, cyber security and the social, ethical and economic consequences of the ongoing changes will be discussed by participants and attendees of the 5th International Congress on Digital Urban Regeneration, which will begin in Lodz on April 9.
Not only Elon Musk
The data we can obtain in cities and their analysis, thanks to the capabilities of AI, allow us to simulate a variety of solutions, and thus select the best ones or quickly catch errors in existing ones, for example, in the transportation system (showing, for example, where ziobrk should be intensified and where urban transport has "empty runs"), in housing policy, planned investments or waste management.
You can read more about how data allows us to design better cities in an interview with Hanna Obracht-Prondzynska from the University of Gdansk.
These are just some of the improvements we can make to cities through the use of AI. In a session titled "Can it be done differently than Elon Musk?" with a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence in cities, Sari Hirvonen-Kantola, a researcher from Finland's University of Oulu, who has been working on inclusive urban development for more than two decades, combining strategic urban planning with business development and innovation. In an interview with A&B, she talks about urban development, participation and a unique chatbot to support Oulu residents:
Ola Kloc: You have researched various types of inclusive urban development, can you talk about them?
Sari Hirvonen-Kantola: The starting point, of course, is that cities are not created by themselves; they are created through the cooperation of many stakeholders. The types of inclusive urban development that I've identified while studying the work of urban development managers are the approaches they use in different urban projects and market contexts. I had the privilege of observing and working closely with many experienced urban development managers. It was fascinating to see how they align their paths to achieve their goals with stakeholders.
Ola Kloc: Do you think any of these types would work well in Polish cities?
Sari Hirvonen-Kantola: Yes, definitely, especially since development research confirms that there are generally five types of their configuration. I'm not familiar enough with the market context, public institutions, history and organizational culture of Polish cities, so I won't guess which configurations would fit best. It would be interesting to explore the ways in which urban developers, for example in Lodz, are working on integrated goals, such as urban vitality, with local stakeholders.
Ola Kloc: You work with smart cities and municipalities on strategic urban planning and business development and innovation, what does such collaboration look like? What does such a process consist of?
Sari Hirvonen-Kantola: An excellent example of cooperation between strategic urban planning and business and innovation development is Oulu, Finland. To revitalize an impoverished neighborhood, the city of Oulu, as part of its Smart City program, first conducted a deep participatory urban planning process, providing a view of what kind of neighborhood it wanted to become, and then launched a large-scale multi-stakeholder innovation project on the spot. The Positive Energy District was developed and piloted in collaboration with key stakeholders such as the local utility, research partners, businesses and residents. The project succeeded in engaging the positive local spirit, and as a result the neighborhood boasted a world-class green innovation. Another interesting question, of course, is how we can scale and replicate this solution to have an even greater impact on sustainability. I am convinced that urban planning can do a lot for sustainable business and innovation.
Ola Kloc: AI City - I am here, at your service - is the title of your presentation at the 5th International Congress on Digital Urban Regeneration, what is AI City? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
Sari Hirvonen-Kantola: I see that my title caught your attention! My talk will focus on the artificial intelligence at the heart of human-centered urban development in Oulu. This artificial intelligence is called OuluBot, it has evolved from a simple chatbot to a generative artificial intelligence, like many of its counterparts. The reason I want to discuss OuluBot in the AI City - I Am Here, at Your Service presentation is because of the unique combination of a Finnish municipality, a public body and a democratic institution responsible for this artificial intelligence. This will lead us to a discussion of the evolution of the city itself and the role of AI in inclusive urban development.
Ola Kloc: Thank you for the interview.
Digital Urban Regeneration in Lodz
The 5th International Congress on Digital Regeneration of Cities will be held onApril 9-10 this year at the EC1 center at 1/3 Targowa Street in Lodz and online. Participation is free, but registration is required. A detailed schedule of the event and more information are available on theDigital Regeneration of Cities Congress website. An accompanying event to the congress is the Festival of Open Architecture Studios organized by A&B, to which you are cordially invited!
