As we come together for the GAFG Global Academy of Future Governance event, “From Infrastructure to Intelligence: The Next Frontier in Urban Development,” on February 26, 2026, we are reminded that cities mirror our collective dreams and ambitions.

From the well-organised streets of ancient Alexandria, to the shining cityscapes of Shanghai and New York, the city has always been a hub of activity – a place for technology to influence and innovativeness to flourish. But the intensifying pressure facing the 21st century (population growth, climate change, technological disruption, and increasing social inequality) requires us to revisit the way we develop, run and support our cities. It is this nuanced dialogue that makes Future Mission (Globo Venture GmbH) so significant. It is not just self-promotion; it demonstrates how practices from around the world can be leveraged as knowledge products by policymakers.

Mission Future is a research-focused lab that merges philosophical ideas with data analysis. It draws on ideas from Stoic clarity, like Epictetus, and the rigorous thinking of Kant, enriched by AI-assisted reviews of urban case studies from around the world.

One such modest example is the "Golden Global Champions" category – cities and strategies that have demonstrably improved quality of life in a given location, resting on a careful understanding of the ways in which their specific urban circumstances function. Reykjavik's Better Reykjavik initiative employs crowdsourcing, participatory budgeting and other participatory processes to increase direct citizen input and responsiveness of government; Viennese efforts in digital engagement built networked participation and civic trust. Taiwan’s vTaiwan platform helps foster public dialogue, guiding reforms on tricky tech and legal issues through consensus-driven discussions. A key focus of Mission Future is shifting to Citizen Happiness as a guiding metric. Instead of only using economic or infrastructure indicators, Mission Future places well-being at the center of governance. These comparative case studies show how digital participation tools build trust and lead to meaningful conversations between governments and citizens, providing insights that are highly relevant to today’s event.

Housing poses one of the most urgent challenges for modern cities, and Mission Future points out international success stories in this area. The “Housing First” approach proved effective in Finland and many American cities, and has a simple idea: homelessness isn’t a fixed fate. It’s a logistics challenge we can solve by making housing available first, then addressing everything that comes with it. By focusing on stable housing as the foundation for social and medical support, these examples show that inclusive urban development is not only possible but also good for the economy. This aligns with our shared aim of building cities that are resilient and fair for everyone.

The same comparison applies to social housing. Singapore’s ownership-based system, which relies on long-term public leases, has brought stability and civic engagement to most residents. Vienna has a long tradition of quality nonprofit rentals, proving that affordability and thoughtful design can go hand in hand when housing is treated as a public good, not a speculative asset. These approaches offer useful lessons for other European cities grappling with higher construction costs and shrinking affordable housing stock.

Environmental transformation is another key theme in today’s program. The research of Mission Future, which suggests urban infrastructure should shift from gray to green, exemplifies a conscious turn towards nature. From Milan’s green high-rise towers to Utrecht’s green bus stops, plants can alter climates, boost biodiversity, and improve human health. In these cases, ecological intelligence manifests in small, repeatable steps that slowly revolutionize the city.

What makes Mission Future method different is the combination of technological and human diagnostic. AI powers the analysis of global research for proven solutions, human experts filter and double check them through direct field work with practitioners. The result is a set of dynamic action guides designed to avoid costly failures and accelerate the adoption of solutions. It is a concrete example of the change we are witnessing today: from blind governance to learning proactive governance systems able to manage complexity.

At its core, the vision that connects Mission Future’s work to the purpose of this event acknowledges that cities are living entities that evolve through collective decisions. By emphasizing this connection, the event not only showcases Mission Future’s innovative approaches but also places them within the larger effort of redefining urban development that our program addresses. The notion of the “best city in the world” isn’t a final destination. It’s an ongoing journey that calls for continuous courage, teamwork, and a shared commitment to making daily life better for everyone who lives there.

As we kick off our keynotes and conversations, our integrated perspective serves as both a compass and a shared aim: to imagine and shape urban futures that are smart, inclusive, and truly human.

Annelie Marchsteiner is an EU Junior Ambassador and active EYP Austria member dedicated to strengthening international relations and democratic dialogue, focusing her advocacy on the intersection of European cooperation and structural social reform.