Silver
citadel
Former migrant workers from Eastern Europe now exert political influence and contribute to Eastern Europe's economic boom. However, European citizens express concerns about limited influence in centralized politics, and a rising pacifist movement is troubled by conflicts in neighboring regions. Aging population concerns also arise, questioning Europe's future in comparison to countries like China.
In the aftermath of COVID-19, EU and national institutions took strong action to develop lagging areas in Europe, fostering pan-European solidarity and the European Social Model. Immigration and shifting attitudes towards sustainability have reshaped European culture. The appointment of the first Muslim EU president and the recognition of Arabic as an official language highlight these changes.
In this scenario, spatial justice means an equitable distribution of wealth between
regions, calculated using artificial intelligence. Material inequalities recede as regions benefit from a new state capitalism that includes reindustrialization and redistributive welfare. Spatial injustice occurs when individuals are excluded from centralized decision-making.
The EU sees environmental protection as necessary to ensure growth, not an end in itself. Its model still depends on resource exploitation, despite an increased focus on sustainability. The ecological debate has been reduced to a clear and quantified set of specified criteria for sustainable growth.
European Sustainability Goals have evolved to replace the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including a drive to rezone polluting industries into outer space and develop space-based solar platforms. The EU explores the use of cloud seeding technology to prevent drought and strengthen food security.
Conflict to the East drives technological innovation: within Europe, innovation in manufacturing, transport, and telecommunications is racing ahead. The EU has also become a significant power in outer space. However, Europe relatively lags its rivals in genetic engineering and biotech, affecting medicine, agriculture, and other sectors.
Europe’s energy economy minimises imports and maximises exports. Fossil fuel use is reduced, and the energy sector focuses on exports from hydrogen and zero-carbon fuels.
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.
