DDC Assembly 2: From Smart City to the City as a Public Good

Cluj-Napoca, Romania – 6 June 2026 at 11:00

Democratic Digital Commons Cluj-Napoca

The Democratic Digital Commons assembly in Cluj-Napoca brought together citizens, researchers, activists, practitioners and community organisers to explore how digitalisation and artificial intelligence can contribute to a more democratic, inclusive and socially just city. Through presentations, collaborative workshops and deliberative discussions, participants reflected on the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation, with a particular focus on the right to the city, digital public services, housing, work, and urban governance.

Where?
The assembly took place at Pavilionul Tineretului in Parcul Feroviarilor, Cluj-Napoca, providing an open and accessible setting for dialogue, collaboration and collective imagination. The venue hosted both expert presentations and participatory group activities, encouraging participants to share experiences and develop ideas for the future of the city.

When?
The event was held on 6 June 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., combining keynote presentations with interactive breakout sessions and a final plenary where participants presented their collective proposals.

Who?
The assembly brought together a diverse group of participants, including local residents, academics, digital rights advocates, urban researchers, civil society organisations, students and professionals working in technology and public policy. The discussions were facilitated by members of the local project team, while researchers and invited speakers provided context on digital governance, smart cities and the social impacts of AI and digitalisation.

What?
The Cluj assembly focused on imagining a democratic and inclusive digital future for the city. Following a series of presentations on smart cities, digital public services and digital rights, participants worked in small groups to envision Cluj as a commons in the year 2126. Through discussion and collaborative activities, including a LEGO-based futures exercise, they developed proposals addressing housing, work, public infrastructure, participation, digital rights and the governance of emerging technologies. The outcomes of these discussions will inform the local manifesto and contribute to the wider Democratic Digital Commons process, feeding into the project’s shared European vision for democratic AI and digital futures.

Agenda – Cluj-Napoca Assembly
Saturday, 6 June – Pavilionul Tineretului, Parcul Feroviarilor

11:00 – 12:45 | Welcome and presentations

Arrival, registration and introductions

Welcome from the local organisers

Presentations on the Democratic Digital Commons project, smart city policies, digital public services, and the social impacts of digitalisation and AI

Interactive audience participation through analogue and digital voting exercises

12:45 – 13:30 | Lunch

13:30 – 15:30 | Breakout discussions

Collaborative group sessions exploring:

* Visions for Cluj as a democratic digital commons
* Digitalisation in everyday life and work
* The future of smart cities and public services
* Collective priorities for a more inclusive digital transition
* Development of proposals for the Cluj Manifesto

Participants also took part in a collaborative LEGO activity to visualise their ideas for the future city.

15:45 – 16:45 | Closing plenary

Presentation of each group’s proposals

Collective discussion of priorities for the manifesto

Closing reflections and next steps

Following the assembly, participants were invited to continue contributing to the drafting of the Cluj Manifesto, which will also feed into the broader Democratic Digital Commons manifesto and future assemblies across Europe.

Download the full report here

This website reflects the views only of the authors. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.