To address inequalities, the EU experimented with restructuring, accommodating diverse models. In 2048, a non-territorial economy thrives as regions negotiate, causing tensions. Catalonia's independence, Belgium's dissolution, Italy's fragmentation, and Bavaria's autonomy reinforce self-interest. Less developed regions rely on corporations, gaining infrastructure for benefits. Prestigious brands favor partnerships in this landscape.
In fragmented, digital Europe, citizenship mirrors a software subscription, blurring government-business lines. "Tesla-Brandenburg" exemplifies success through global corporate ties. Wealthy regions grew dissatisfied with EU resource redistribution in the 2020s-2030s, perceiving growing inequality. Amid turmoil, the UK succeeded post-Brexit, compromising on standards without Scotland. Some EU states saw the UK re-establishing national identity and self-determination.
Spatial justice means the right of regions to hold on to wealth they have generated. Territorial inequalities are intensified and
complicated. Rich regions get richer, poor regions get poorer, and economic life takes new forms in digital space.
Europe cannot pursue a coordinated sustainability agenda, as institutions have fragmented and digital space is prioritised over the physical.
Corporations find ever more innovative ways to export the problems they cause to distant parts of the world, or even into orbit.
The energy system is a poorly coordinated patchwork. “Beyond-Net-Zero” homes, generating more energy than they consume, are popular in some regions, but there is no consistent policy or facility to redistribute excess power.
The principal concern has been to create platforms that allow innovators and diverse forms of energy production to mingle in a stable energy system. One of the EU’s legacy roles is to regulate and stabilise the interfaces between these diverse energy systems.
Telepresence technologies, telecommunications infrastructure, and energy technologies have been improved - as have technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change, though they are deployed inconsistently. The technologies available to a region depend on its international and corporate affiliations and thus vary across Europe.
Which future scenario would you wish for our future?
On this website the document "IMAJINE - scenarios with expert responses" has been incorporated. The document can be found here. Further information is available at imajine-project.eu.
