Creating Future Cities: Sustainability, Humanity, and Innovation with Markku Wilenius

Welcome to an enlightening conversation with Markku Wilenius, a globally recognized futurist and UNESCO Chair in Learning for Transformation and Planetary Futures. In this episode, we dive into the importance of creating sustainable, human-centric cities for the future, challenging traditional models of urban development. Markku sheds light on the need for a 'giving' mentality, the transformative power of eco-conscious urban planning, and the essential role of innovation in shaping the future. We'll explore his invaluable insights into the emerging trends in global city development, the rising consciousness of our younger generations, and how developers can place humanity at the heart of future urban landscapes. Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of sustainability, innovation, and human experience in city planning. You won't want to miss this captivating discussion with a leading voice in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Tune in!   Chapter Stamps:   [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:00:28] - Markku Wilenius's background and professional journey [00:01:40] - Explanation of "futures thinking" and its significance [00:03:20] - Discussion on futures literacy and its relevance in the present society [00:05:10] - Markku Wilenius's personal approach to futures thinking [00:07:01] - Significance of future-oriented thinking in education and other sectors [00:09:26] - Implications of urbanization and climate change on futures thinking [00:11:58] - Markku Wilenius's professional experience with United Nations [00:14:12] - Concept of Eco-Urbanisation and its importance in futures thinking [00:16:30] - Transformation in urban planning with a focus on green infrastructure [00:19:30] - Historical impacts on current urban structures [00:22:54] - Need for cities to become more human-centric and livable [00:24:19] - Importance of aesthetics and functionality in urban environments [00:25:00] - Closing remarks and appreciation for Markku's work [00:26:12] - Encouragement for audience to increase awareness and engagement [00:26:33] - Thanking Markku and audience for the session.   Pullout Quotes:   It's more important to focus on how we can contribute, rather than just focusing on what we can grab." "I'm not hopeless. Even if I talk about rough things that are happening in the world, I'm optimistic." "Cities are not made for commercial purposes. They are meant for people primarily." "We finally understand that we need to bring the green and the human scale into the city." "What is your experience around you when you look around? Is it pleasing or is it something terrible? We need to be more aware of for whom we are building these cities." "We need to be more conscious and aware of the world around us. For whom are we actually building these cities?" "There is so much more awareness among the younger generation about the importance of contributing rather than just grabbing." "More and more people, as we all know, are living in the city, and we need to make these spaces more human-centric and green."   Socials:   Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/markkuwilenius   ----more---- Notice to the Super Entrepreneurs community: I invite you to join my webinar on how to scale your business and improve the quality of your life, without constantly chasing strategies and feeling stuck. If you feel like you need to progress, this webinar might just give you the direction you may need, www.shahiddurrani.com     ----more---- Disclaimer: Please be aware that the opinions and perspectives conveyed in this podcast are solely those of our guests and do not necessarily represent the views, ideologies, or principles of Super Entrepreneurs Podcast, its associated entities, or any organizations they represent or are affiliated with. We provide a platform for discussion and exploration, and the content of each episode is understood to be independent expressions from our guests, rather than a reflection of the beliefs held by the podcast or its hosts.