The Manifesto on Inclusive Smart Cities, also known as the European Manifesto on Citizen Engagement, will be launched and officially signed in Brussels (Belgium) on 23 November at a ceremony that will gather EU level networks of regional and local authorities, civil society organisations, and industry representatives. The manifesto is supported and co-created by smarticipate project partner ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
The full text of the manifesto is available online and is open for feedback and contributions until 15 September 2016.
Those who sign the manifesto declare their commitment to “create and foster new urban services for citizens in order to improve the quality of life of all citizens and contribute to sustainable cities.” They also agree to focus on citizen needs and to embrace citizen-centric design when developing the smart city.
The manifesto details the importance of engaging “population groups [that are] difficult to reach, such as the economically disadvantaged, elderly and migrants, [and] people with disabilities.” Citizen engagement activities should additionally strive for a gender balance, the text states.
Through the manifesto, signatories hope to “generate empowered and engaged citizens who will contribute positively towards their city, municipality, region or community.”
The Brussels event will see speeches from Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society; Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director for Europe of ICLEI; and the presentation of best smart city practices from cities across the continent.
For more information, visit eu-smartcities.eu