The seminar featured a diverse program, including presentations from key partners in the CaPs project. At 9.00 Professors Agnar Johansen (NTNU) and Tuomas Ahola (TAU) gave a brief overview of the CaPs journey from 2020-2024. Key results and accomplishments were highlighted and a tentative model for smart and sustainable urban development with citizens was presented. After that, Geir Hagenhaugen (EIDOS) and Kjersti Wilhelmsen (Lierbyen) shared insights from the participatory process in Lierbyen and Fjordbyen Lier and Drammen, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement. Before lunch, Eric Aschehoug from Oslo municipality discussed their experiences on collaboration with children and young people on the development project in Mortensrud.
After lunch at 12, Ville Ojanen and Nina Tura from LUT University (Finland) shared their insights into effective strategies for engaging decision makers in urban development projects and what kind of activities they had in Lappeenranta during the project. Similarly, Alenka Temeljotov-Salaj, Agnar Johansen and Mina Jowkar presented their findings from their work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). We also heard short introductions to two upcoming doctoral dissertations from Coline Senior (NTNU) and Deniz Turkcu (LUT University). At 14.30, the discussion continued with insights from Tampere University (Finland) and Matias Ståhle unpacked the role of citizens in urban development projects across three case studies. The event was concluded with a presentation from Ole Edvard Grov (University of Bergen) about strategies for engaging children in the development of mobile solutions for urban mobility.
The CaPs project has made significant strides in promoting citizen participation and shaping the future of smart cities. As the seminar concluded, participants left with valuable insights on citizen participation in the future smart city projects. The wonderful day was concluded with a dinner in Oslo city centre.
The presentation material can be accessed HERE.