The NexTArc project’s starting point is an awareness of the importance of creating sustainable and smart living and working environments across Europe for its inhabitants. In this approach, the NexTArc consortium has identified the need to look into activities in several separate business sectors that meet in the contexts of living and working environments to create sustainable solutions. In conclusion, the NexTArc consortium has identified three central narratives:

Narrative A: There is an expectation from the citizens, and all other stakeholders, that sustainable living and working environments should apply across our societies, and hence transition into sustainable, smart and resilient cities and neighbourhoods should be prioritised;

Narrative B: People, goods and freight mobility within and between urban and industrial spaces should have a focus on environmental and social sustainability; without compromising economic sustainability (essential to fulfil Narrative A);

Narrative C: Data and technology-driven decision-making and system-level optimisation is essential in Narratives A-B; however, trustworthiness (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) across the application domains, e.g., goods handling and internal logistics to increase transparency resilience, food production in urban areas to improve the resilience of the food supply chains, balancing electricity consumption in buildings, and seamless mobility services for every day commuting is a must, is essential.