Future STEAM Cities: Local Ambitions, Global Challenges, and the Role of STEAM in Shaping Tomorrow
In a world facing unprecedented turbulence where geopolitical instability, climate breakdown, rapid technological shifts, growing inequality, and democratic backsliding are testing our societies in ways not seen in decades, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) has never been more critical. But beyond education, can STEAM be a tool for resilience, innovation, and new forms of collective intelligence? This is the question at the heart of the Future STEAM Cities network, where five European cities—Aveiro, Alytus, Kolding, Oulu, and Płock—are tackling local challenges that echo some of the greatest dilemmas of our time.
Each city’s ambition is not just about transferring knowledge but about reshaping the role of education, industry, and governance in a world that demands urgent solutions. By looking at their efforts through the lens of global challenges, we see how Future STEAM Cities are not just adapting to change but actively pioneering new models of urban innovation.
