September 26, Forum Cinema Grand Hall. A full day of presentations and discussions about the city center, its residents, and its diverse lifestyles. A hackathon will also take place.

Historically, the city center served as a hub for meeting and exchange: it was not only a place of active trade in goods and services but also a space for the exchange of ideas and knowledge. Work and leisure converged in the center, bringing together various social groups, city residents, and visitors. The center was undoubtedly considered the heart of the city and the engine of its development.

In recent decades, the primary function of the city center has been commerce. However, its role is now rapidly changing: the growth of e-commerce, the emergence of new suburban shopping malls, remote work, and overall shifts in population habits make it necessary to rethink the center’s role as a commercial destination. Urban lifestyles are changing quickly too: our daily lives are becoming faster and more stressful, leaving us with less time for relaxation and joy.

How do we encourage people to leave their homes and spend time together in central public spaces? How can building functions be adapted to meet modern needs? How can the city center bring together different interest groups and improve the lives and well-being of urban residents? How do we promote data-driven decision-making for city centre development? These and other issues will be explored during this year’s MadCity.

The aim of the event is to draw attention to the changing functions of city centers and the lifestyles of their residents, as well as to collaboratively find potential solutions for adapting city centers to modern needs, based on the experiences and best practices from Latvia and abroad.

The event will be divided into three sections, each addressing the most significant challenges the city center will face in the future:

Building and Outdoor Space: How to make the center a meeting place that fosters social cooperation, how to adapt building functions to the demands of modern society, and the impact of spaces on people’s behavior and well-being; practical examples and experiences from Latvia and abroad.

People and Lifestyle: The city center as a place for meeting and interacting with different social groups, promoting collaboration and networking among residents, and the impact of residents’ lifestyles on the functions and development of the city center.

Data and the City: The collection and practical application of data in cities to improve residents’ well-being and everyday life, including specific data analysis tools that could contribute to the development of the city center.