Looking for the One

We talk about politics, we talk about football, we talk about the news, we talk about saving the planet, the trees, and the bees. But there's one thing that we spend almost no time thinking about: our cities.

The city is where your life happens.

Think about it: how much of your life happens in the city where you currently live? 70, 80, 90%? But we don't think much about it. We don't talk much about it, and how we can make our life in our city better. 

In Europe, we talk a lot about our countries, and we talk about a Europe of Regions. But what we don't talk about is the "Europe of Cities". 

We don't talk enough about Green Cities: or how do we integrate nature into the urban landscape. We don't talk enough about Blue Cities: or how do we integrate smart city technologies. 

The Europe of Cities: Green Cities, Blue Cities

We don't talk enough about the quality of life in our city. How we measure it. How we improve it. And how can I be part of the change?

Years ago, I met this guy, who took a job as a city manager in a town that most people haven't heard of. Somewhere in the Eastern European no man's land. Six years later, his mission was complete: by the end of his mandate, this little town was the national leader in EU funds absorbed per capita, the country's first smart city, and the first city with a professional city branding strategy. The town's name is Alba Iulia. The guy's name is Nicolaie Moldovan.

One man and his tiny team of young change-makers understood that they can be the change they want to see in their city.

Today, the small Transylvanian town is the leader of an international consortium of 8 European cities from 8 countries; actually, it's the first time ever when any city from Romania is a leader of any European project, regardless of the field.

Created by URBACT, the European Program for Urban Development, "Find Your Greatness" is the EU's first-ever project for urban brand strategies. I am happy and honored to be invited to guide the 8 cities through this wonderful soul-searching journey and help them explore what makes them great and define their strategic brand vision.

Sometimes, it all starts with one guy or girl who decides that they will be the change they want to see in their city.

Are you the one?