In an increasingly digital age, the concept of urban governance is undergoing a significant transformation. Cities worldwide are harnessing the power of digital engagement to empower citizens and improve the way their urban areas are managed.

To learn more, the EU Tech Chamber (EUTECH) Smart Cities Alliance organised a webinar on October 03, 2023. The topic under discussion was, “Empowering Citizens: Digital Engagement in Urban Governance”.

During this webinar, the intention was to explore the dynamic intersection of real estate, architecture, and the evolving concept of Society 5.0, where connectivity, sustainability, and human-centric design converge to create smarter, more resilient cities.

The webinar started off with a short overview of the organisation and a formal introduction of the panellists by our moderator, Mr. Salman Tariq who is a coordinator at the EU Tech Chamber.

The panellists for today were:
·        Ms. Lejla Turulja, Professor at University of Sarajevo, School of Economics and Business,
·        Mr. 🪐 Sebastian Grabowski, Head of IoT – Smart City & Industry at Edge Enterprise Architecture Practice.
·        Mr. Martin Flores Piran, Strategic Advisor at Balgreen & External Collaborator for European Central Bank

This webinar explored the exciting realm of digital engagement in the context of urban governance, shedding light on how it could enhance transparency, decision-making, and public trust. The key aspects of this dynamic landscape were delved into by each speaker. These included the importance of citizen participation in urban governance, challenges are concerns therewith – such as the digital divide and data security – as well as future trends in the industry.
They also discussed the various factors of each, such as real-time data collection, transparency, and improved service delivery. They touched upon “technology as an enabler”, as well as had a productive question & answer session, gaining deeper insights into the world of digital engagement in urban governance. This exchange of ideas and experiences enriched the understanding of this transformative field.

We want to thank our speakers for their informed insights on this topic. Moreover, special thanks to Mr. Salman Tariq for moderating the webinar and distributing Tree-Certificates to the panelists.

Above all, sincere thanks to all our attendees – your comments, compliments, and questions. Stay tuned for our next Smart Cities Alliance webinar!