WORKSHOP INVITATION

Smart, Sustainable and Social

Utrecht in Europe

Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2025 from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM

House of Active Citizenship, Neude Library, Utrecht

Free entrance. Register via this form or at: ineke@duurzaamutrecht2030.nl

The European Union wants to be the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Utrecht is one of over 100 'Smart Sustainable Cities' that want to lead the way.

In Duurzaam Utrecht 2030 we turn the climate transition on its head. We ask citizens with a small budget how they want to live more sustainably. Students co-create solutions with the target group, the municipality and partner organizations.

A spearhead is the cookbook project 'Sustainable food on a tight budget in Lunetten.' Residents on a tight budget want to eat organic, sustainable and healthy food. Computer science students from Utrecht University are working with residents and organisations in the neighbourhood to create prototypes of a cookbook app. This allows residents to share recipes or offers of organic food themselves. Can this app contribute to the formation of a local 'Food-social-security community'? Poorer and richer neighbours form a food collective in this. Everyone contributes according to their ability to pay, but receives the same amount to buy food.

During the workshop we will explore how smart systems can give citizens more influence on the transition to sustainable living for everyone.

Plan:

2:00-2:30 PM. Doors open

2.30-3.00 pm Opening, check-in and open podium

15:00-15:45 hrs. Group work: Techno-ethical Role-play 'Cookbook app facilitates Food-social-security in Utrecht in 2050'

3:45-4:00 PM. Break

16:00-16:45 hrs. Group dialogue: How do we strengthen desirable and slow down undesirable developments towards a Smart, Sustainable & Social Utrecht in 2050?

16.45-17.00 hrs. Plenary feedback, closing.

The workshop is part of the celebrations of 80 years liberation and 75 years Schuman declaration, marking the start of the European Union, in collaboration with Committee Europadag Utrecht and the Utrecht Platform for Philosophy and Religion.