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IMAGINE

... Energy for the Future of European Cities

IMAGINE Logo IMAGINE is a long-term initiative of Energie-Cités, aiming to help communities to better prepare the energy future of their territories.

Evolution of the energy context on the one hand (persistent upward trend in energy prices and scarcity of fossil resources) and that of the climatic context (increasing temperatures) on the other, are going to induce us to radically modify- and as of now- our way of dealing with the development of our territories.

Issues relating to climate change and energy resources are closely linked and will in future take on dimensions which are completely unpredictable today
Our current development model is not viable and the parts of the world which have been excluded from it now also want their share
We, the so-called industrialised countries, will have to reduce our CO2 emissions a factor 4 by 2050, which involves reducing our energy consumption a factor 3
This will only be possible if somewhat fundamental changes are implemented. It will also require the widespread implementation of existing solutions, even when these are today at a stage of development that is still marginal.

We need to imagine a future energy model that is compatible with what the planet can cope with and reduce the energy vulnerability of the territories and their habitants

Dealing with energy in a territory has to do with town planning, economics, technologies, the environment, cultural aspects, societal organisation etc. It involves the whole of society in an intergenerational way, including elected representatives, technicians, philosophers, artists, energy specialists etc. This is why this initiative aims to mix people from all walks of life, and not just the traditional actors of the energy sector or specialists in territorial management.

The document below will provide you with a complete description of the IMAGINE concept and strategy (updated May 2007):

IMAGINE Concept (en) - 234.3 kb

IMAGINE Concept (fr) - 317.2 kb

IMAGINE combines foresight reflection with action in the field. It started concretely in 2006 with:

a foresight seminar which takes place every year in November at the Royal Salt Works of Arc & Senans (FR),
an exhibition “Beacon regions, cities, neighbourhoods…” of exemplary and innovative territorial practices,
the preparation of a European-wide IMAGINE campaign to help cities achieving the goals of the European Union in the field of Energy efficiency and Climate protection.

IMAGINE 2nd seminar: "Changing our mindsets: inspiration from sustainable districts"

The goal of the IMAGINE seminar is to continuously develop and refine the IMAGINE concepts that will sustain other actions of the initiative. It gathers every year about 40 people around a set of crucial issues on what could be "the energy future of our cities".

The second edition of the IMAGINE seminar was held in Arc-et-Senans from 27th to 29th of November 2007. The theme of this year was "Changing our mindsets: inspiration from sustainable districts".
The Royal Salt Works of Arc & Senans (FR) is a UNESCO World Heritage site whose history was closely linked to energy, from its beginnings until its demise. The Royal Salt Works is a symbolic site and a place of practical utopia. It is therefore a highly suitable venue for our exchanges. The place is lindly made available to us free of charge by the Conseil Général du Doubs (Doubs County Council). See all the partners involved in the IMAGINE initiative.

Vignette Blog IMAGINE A blog was created to support the exchanges between the seminarists, before, during, and after, the meetings in Arc-et-Senans (FR). For any further information on this second seminar, please visit the blog and if you like, make your own comments.