Global migration to cities
In 2007, the urban population exceeded the rural population for the first time in history, and we know that according to United Nations forecasts, 70-80% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050.
This abrupt growth of cities is the most important trend of the 21st century, and places cities as key actors in the political, economic and social sphere, and above all, makes their commitment to global governance in matters such as climate change, the management of minors at risk of social exclusion or poverty, immigrants or refugees.
In Europe we have an advantage in this trend, and it seems less strange to us, but even so, we have many great issues to address, and we want to make a proposal, to focus on its origin in society: Municipalism.
Characteristics of the municipalities
The municipality is a natural administrative level that exists throughout the world. In fact, it has always existed to cover the needs of the weakest in the community. We don't have to invent anything.
When we talk about municipalities, we talk about administrations that are close to the citizens.
And what happened? When did this change?
Well, as the politicians gained more power, they became more specialized and bureaucratized, and it was clear that in a short time the boss had to draw lines to avoid conflicts, the borders. Kingdoms, regions, nations, states, provinces, regions...
The reality is that the territory and the city continue to be interconnected, and that Barcelona is much more than its 1 million 620 thousand inhabitants, what a disaster if only they had to draw the future of Barcelona.
There are two ways to interconnect the different municipalities, turning rural municipalities into beneficiaries of subsidies and public contributions from taxes that are mostly collected in large cities, or linking the rural economy with that of the big city.
At a time when globalization is destabilizing our economy with unpredictable consequences, it is important to begin a deep reflection on how we can link the products that can be obtained in our territory with the demand of the big city, thus guaranteeing the maintenance of the structures rural, and very important: the landscape we have today.
A society without borders
Where are the borders?
If you raise borders, you isolate yourself, and at this moment in history, what we need is to be sponges and learn from everywhere to face all the changes that come to us.
The future is networks of interconnected people who collaborate with each other to generate value, along with technologies.
We want cities without physical borders. We do not understand borders, we understand people.
The responsibility of the territory is shared, we are all needed to draw a 2050 that does not scare us.