Paper short abstract:

Extractivism has led to a moment of catastrophe. Taking nature-cultures seriously is a necessary step to reconceptualize the role of the human in a more sustainable world. Multi-species, multi-partyinvolvement in urban AI development needs methods which includes the more-than-human.

Paper long abstract:

The conceptual distance between humans and nature in cities is exacerbated by the influx of AI-based systems into the urban situation. We address the why and the how of ensuring that multi-species entanglements are included in the design and development of future cities. We put nature-cultures and the quintuple helix in relation to one another in order to consider the role of more-than-human actors in the way cities are and will be designed and grown. The extractivism which has led to the socio-natural catastrophes currently prevalent is an example of human alienation from nature – modernist humans have spent hundreds of years viewing "nature" as something out-there, rather than as something we are a part of. Taking nature-cultures seriously is an important step in re-conceptualizing the role of the human in a more sustainable world, but multi-species, multi-party, multi-stakeholder involvement with the quintuple helix model needs methods which allow the more-than-human to have a voice that speaks for interests or concerns beyond ourselves. We draw on developments in the field of smart cities, especially relating to the emerging use of AI in modelling and running cities, with a particular focus on public safety. The consideration of nature-cultures leads to the redevelopment of existing research methods, such as participatory methods and research through design.