On 1 October 2024, the CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM AUSTRIA showed the documentary film "Green City Life" and, together with WIEN ENERGIE and CEOs FOR FUTURE; with the kind support of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, invited to the STADTKINO in the Künstlerhaus, 1010 Vienna, on 1 October 2024. Some impressions can be seen in the picture gallery at the bottom of the page.
Young filmmakers Manon Turina and François Marques travel to cities in Mexico, Europe and the USA to show how urgently we need to rethink the way we build and live in cities. As concerned city lovers, they meet circle runners, urban farmers, plant architects and guerrilla gardeners to gather inspiration and best practices for a sustainable future. The impressive projects awaken longing, hope and inspire the energy to constantly expand these liveable spaces.
In the run-up to the film, a Expert panel Ideas, measures and wishes for "The liveable city of the future - and what we can do for it today" with the audience:
Moderation: Karin Huber-Heim, City of Vienna Endowed Chair of Circular Economy & Transformative Business Models, Member of the Board of Circular Economy Forum Austria
To set the mood for the panel discussion, the impressive short film "Remember the Future" by Gerald Geier" by Gerald Geier, which shows that the science-based solutions we need to stabilise our climate are already available. The film is intended to motivate (young) people in particular to fight for a future worth living and shows how we will achieve this.
Afterwards, experts from the fields of urban development, children and youth education, science and business addressed key questions about the future of urban life. The discussion provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of urban transformation. There was agreement that a "good life" in the city goes beyond purely economic factors. Aspects such as housing, social justice, mobility and access to green spaces were emphasised, as was the need for an intact environment and a more conscious use of resources. The idea of a city worth living in was described as being closely linked to the promotion of community, co-determination and social cohesion. Primary school children's expectations of life in the city of the future, which emerged from a project organised by the Children's Office, were particularly moving.
According to the experts, the circular economy can make an enormous contribution by promoting a reduction in waste, the reuse of materials and the creation of sustainable production processes. Particularly in cities with high resource consumption and large volumes of waste, the circular economy could contribute to a more sustainable way of life and create new jobs and economic sectors.
The experts agreed that sustainable transformations can only be successful if citizens are actively involved in shaping them. They should be encouraged to take their own initiatives, participate in dialogue and develop creative solutions to local challenges. Education and awareness-raising could play a key role in promoting understanding of the circular economy and its benefits in everyday life.
The panel discussion not only offered a deep insight into the complex challenges of the urban future, but also showed that a lot is already in motion. The circular economy can become a key factor for sustainable urban development - provided that politics, business and civil society pull together.
Following the film, we invited the various invited stakeholders to a get-together to discuss the topic in greater depth.
Many thanks to our sponsors for their support:
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