The work aims at a new way to build resilient communities in the face of future challenges as climate change, the 4. industrial revolution (digitalisation) and population growth through a participative design process. Starting point is an extensive research on the socioeconomic consequences of technological progress through a comperative study of the industrial revolution of the late 18th century. Based on the findings, three scenarios were drawn up to explore possible future realities and allocate dangers & potentials.