An Anthropological Perspective on Urban Facility Management

The book Digital Dreams, Urban Realities (2005) presents a holistic vision of sustainable urban development developed by four Serbian (landscape) architects. They emphasise the importance of science, technology, art, and culture in ecological transitions and advocate involving society in urban planning. Urban Facility Management (UFM) aligns with this vision by effectively managing urban infrastructure and services with attention to societal values. A key dilemma within UFM is the diversity of urban residents, who have different needs and attach various meanings to urban facilities. Examples, such as a village hall in Oudeschip and health equity in Groningen, illustrate how socio-economic and cultural differences affect urban dynamics. This makes engaging people in urban development complex, as solutions must do justice to diverse values and interests. The essay concludes that UFM needs to look beyond functionality and efficiency. By also focusing on meaning and interest, solutions can be formulated that take into account both the diversity of residents and the complexity of urban structures. An integrated approach combining science, technology, art and culture is crucial to making cities more inclusive and sustainable.