Our Cities, Our Future: Cities are at a crossroads.
Cities face a multitude of challenges, yet within this complexity lies the potential for remarkable transformation. The Future of Cities: A Data-Driven Approach to Tackling Grand Challenges and Building Sustainable, Resilient Communities explores how place leaders — mayors, urban visionaries, and catalysts — armed with data-driven decision-making and citizen-science, can tackle grand challenges such as sustainability, health, education, security, and poverty.
By examining real-world examples and data analysis, the book reveals how data-driven leadership equips cities to implement effective solutions that serve local communities. The book empowers leaders with actionable steps to build a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for all by leveraging the collective intelligence and collaborative spirit that citizen science ignites.
My passion for leadership led me to write this book, drawing on my research to showcase the power of public leadership in driving positive urban transformation. My passion for the arts led me to personally paint the cover artwork, reflecting my commitment to the intersection of creation, creativity and urban development.
Embrace the Potential. Transform Your City.
Outline
Introduction: Reimagining Cities with Evidence-Based Strategies
Chapter 1: Rethinking Urban Responses to Global Challenges
Chapter 2: From Mayors to Networks
Chapter 3: Reshaping Governance for a Dynamic Urban Future
Chapter 4: Exploring the European Urban Landscape
Chapter 5: A Landscape of Urban Priorities
Chapter 6: Data-Driven Urban Insights
Chapter 7: Achieving Sustainable Urban Futures
Chapter 8: Equitable Access to Water and Sanitation
Chapter 9: Enhancing Urban Environmental Quality
Chapter 10: The Power of Public Transport
Chapter 11: The Progress of Sustainable Cities
Chapter 12: Cities and Health
Chapter 13: Closing the Equity Gap: Education
Chapter 14: The Impact of Poverty
Chapter 15: Safe Cities
Chapter 16: Innovation and Impact
Conclusion: Urban Transformation through Data-Inspired Visions
Conversations about the book
About the author
I am an innovation economy researcher and artist, combining my expertise in data analysis and citizen science to empower urban leaders with effective solutions. As a scientist and artist, my curiosity and dedication to a growth mindset fuel my work in creating tools and methodologies for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
At the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, my work supported national, regional, and urban governments in policy development in diverse fields, including research and innovation. The tools and frameworks I have developed for assessing urban innovation districts, monitoring and evaluating policy processes, and enhancing public leadership are widely published, including works by Palgrave Macmillan and Edward Elgar Publishing.
An experienced public speaker, I have delivered keynote speeches at high-level international and academic events. My passion for public leadership led me to write this book, drawing on my research to showcase the power of public leadership in driving positive urban transformation. Furthermore, my passion for the arts led me to personally paint the cover artwork, reflecting my commitment to the intersection of creation, creativity, and urban development.
I hope the book provides valuable insights and tools to create positive change.
Let’s create something extraordinary together.
Fatime Barbara Hegyi, PhD
