Think tank

By 2050, over 66 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. As people flock to urban areas, mostly for economic reasons, cities face huge challenges in dealing with their ever-growing number of citizens. Around the globe, from small cities to sprawling metropoles, the issues are surprisingly similar, and encompass affordable housing, climate change, traffic congestion, and how to provide quality educational and health services. 

Cities are also at the heart of innovation and, in their quest to find sustainable solutions to the above problems, they are harnessing new technologies in outstandingly creative ways. Although we are often unaware of it, technology is already tracking and controlling many aspects of our urban lives, from traffic lights and parking to park maintenance and rubbish collection. The success of the technology relies on how well those that run the city understand and work with the residents themselves. Effective smart city action should not just be about imposing technological solutions on the masses, but about social inclusion and the empowerment of communities. Awareness, understanding, and collaboration between all the city’s stakeholders—private enterprises, residents, local administration and the research community—is key to successful smart city policies.

The Smart City Expo World Congress caters to another important element of the smart city revolution: collaboration between cities and leading players in the movement. It’s both a meeting place for those pioneering change and a platform to showcase projects and exchange ideas to help find new solutions in collaboration with other cities that are tackling similar issues. The conference revolves around eight central themes: Governance, Sustainability, Mobility, Circular Economy, Safe Cities, Society, Economy, and Data & Technology.

Over three days there will be a number of talks from professionals in many fields, who will share inspirational ideas and groundbreaking research. These include figures from the public and private sectors, such as Jeff Merritt, Director of Innovation of the City of New York, Adriana Krácová, Mayor of Prague, and Hamadoun Touré, Executive Director of the Smart Africa Alliance. Keynote speakers include arts activist and founder of the Better Block Project, Jason Roberts. Known for his energetic presentations, in his talk ‘Building Better Communities from the Bottom-Up’, Roberts will be looking at how we can drive change in our communities, moving past unproductive committees, low community engagement, and outdated regulation. 

Another keynote speaker is Robert Muggah, research director and co-founder of Igarapé Institute. In ‘From Fragile to Resilient Cities’, Muggah will examine the biggest threats facing cities around the world today and how they can build resilience to these threats into their design. Muggah draws on breathtaking new data visualisation techniques to show how well-designed cities are humanity’s most realistic hope for survival. 

The Expo will welcome representatives from 650 cities, as well as over 400 thought leaders. For people involved in technology, city design and community, there will be networking events, as well as side events and activities. There will also be plenty of opportunities to take a closer look at innovative technology. See interactive presentations at the Smart City Plaza and visit the exhibition area, which will host more than 600 stands demonstrating new technologies that are making a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. 

Smart City Expo World Congress. November 14th-16th. Fira de Barcelona-Gran Via. Three-day visitor pass €100.