'Europe Just Now' forms part of the programme series 'Eurovision' in which a number of European figures – from previous heads of state to architects, philosophers and writers – share their thoughts about the potential and future of Europe.
According to architect Louis Becker, sustainability will be one of the key factors influencing the development of European cities. In his view, sustainability is the most significant and influential parameter introduced in architecture since modernism in the last century. In the years to come, we will see sustainability developing from mainly focusing on technical and environmental issues to having a greater focus on social and human dimensions.
The change will primarily be visible in the planning of urban spaces in European cities, which will become more dense, diverse and varied as opposed to the ideals of modernism, which operated with large, open squares. The current economic crisis will not constitute an obstacle but will just make architects and urban planners even more precise in what they do.