BRIGHT FUTURE is an ERA-NET project aiming to develop place-specific urban strategies for industrial towns in Europe. The goal is to adopt new post-industrial narratives better suited to European urban realities. The research highlights the assets and strengths of particular case studies which will lead to new social and organisational innovations to include into planning and institutional practices so that enabling small towns across Europe to adapt and to be resilient and sustainable.
The project will have an impact on small towns that are trying to adapt to urban change by: better understanding how cities that are dependent on manufacturing can thrive in the future; understanding their economic, cultural and social dynamics; gaining practical knowledge on urban innovation and inspiration that can be replicated or transferred to other situations.
The project has a strong trans-disciplinary focus involving non-academic participants in the research.