SMART CITY EXPO

Welcome to the Smart City Expo World Congress! This first session of the event aims to welcome the audience to the SCEWC with an opening speech by the event directors Ugo Valenti and Maria Tsavachidis. It will also count on the participation of high-level representatives who will address how cities are working to transform, innovate, and create to live, move & build better.

Scaling innovation efficiently requires a mix of strategies. Secondary markets provide liquidity, enabling early investors to exit and attract new capital. Corporate partnerships and open innovation foster collaboration, bringing external resources to startups. Strategic investments fuel growth without diluting ownership. These approaches create sustainable value and accelerate the development of innovation ecosystems.

Rural and remote areas miss economic opportunities due to costly broadband. Learn how satellite broadband can bridge this gap through development planning with insights from experts.

Urban digital twins, predictive analytics, and AI offer next-generation solutions that help city leaders make data-driven decisions. A panel discussion between an expert from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and public administration professionals from Barcelona and Venice will highlight how AI and big data solutions help collect, combine, and display information in a user-friendly way to respond to urgent urban needs, including mobility.

It has been established that “smartness” is a form of branding to market cities as modern, innovative, and efficient. Submerged under these overarching values are several others that depend on who is wielding the terminology, ranging from sustainability to entrepreneurship. Smartness rarely centers low-tech common-sense solutions or meeting the demands of those most vulnerable in society. This talk unearths what we mean by smartness and considers the inherent challenges of making smart city technology “ethical.” Finally, it addresses initial steps to make “doing ethics” easier.

Private capital can be scaled with public capital by leveraging successful public-private partnerships, using policies and incentives to attract private investment, and applying innovative funding mechanisms like blended finance and co-investment privite-public. Amid global shifts, a flexible approach is essential to navigate uncertainties, ensuring sustainable growth and collaborative progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This session explores how cities can leverage AI and data to combat climate change. Hear from European cities using AI for greener infrastructure, mobility, and renewable energy. Discover from key industry players how their tools are empowering cities to achieve sustainability goals. Learn how to replicate these successes globally through collaboration and data sharing. Join us and unlock the power of AI for more sustainable and green cities.

This session aims to discuss the role of human potential in meeting the current and future challenges that all local and regional governments must face. Join us to learn more about what is at stake for local and regional governments and their associations.

This session explores two impactful books that tackle the intersection of technology, society, and equity. Being Human in Digital Cities by Myria Georgiou delves into how technology reshapes urban life, advocating for human-centered cities rooted in social justice. Digitally Invisible by Nicol Turner Lee highlights the growing digital divide in America, sharing stories from the emerging digital underclass and calling for equitable tech access. Join us to discuss how both authors envision a more inclusive, digital future.

Do cities have personality? How can we identify and analyze the Citentity of our cities? This session will discuss how The Citentity can help us plan our cities better. It will explore a first approach to The Citentity of three existing cities : Barcelona, Medellín and the Mexican city of Mérida, and how their cardinal and guiding traits make them unique and should mark their evolution and development.

When used for city services, do advanced technologies guarantee data protection and facilitate digital trust? How are governments responding to the consequences of implementing new technologies in urban living? This session will reflect on the evolving relationships between citizens and technology, discuss the evolution of threats like cyberattacks, fake news, and digital bias, and debate regulation in the digital age.

Groundbreaking ideas and visionary plans need finance to become reality. Cities must find financial partners and alternative economic models to achieve sustainable goals, perform community projects, and foster local growth. What options do cities have to finance public projects when national or regional budgets fall short? How crucial is cross-sector collaboration for financing? How can we unlock local investments to shift to clean and equitable economies?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners KPMG International

To create cities that truly cater to all residents, urban environments must prioritize social justice, equality, and dignity. City leaders should focus on innovative approaches that guarantee equal access to opportunities and resources while recognizing the crucial role of urban innovation in building not only sustainable but also equitable cities. This session will bring together experts to share strategies and solutions that pave the way for equality, offering valuable insights into how cities can evolve to meet the diverse needs of their populations.

This session aids city officials in planning and implementing digitalisation efforts for sustainability and resilience. Panelists will highlight key European policies and discuss digital solutions like digital twins, city services, and smart connectivity infrastructure. Participants will have time to interact with an expert panel to gain practical insights and next steps on their digitalisation journey.

Can cities lead the global fight against climate change? Urban centers, heavily impacted by the climate emergency, hold the power to implement specialized policies and actions to address this urgent issue. These initiatives, affecting a significant portion of the world's population, could drive substantial progress in mitigating environmental impacts and promoting a sustainable future. By leveraging their unique position, cities can spearhead global efforts to combat climate change and ensure long-term environmental resilience.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Veolia Iberia and Latin America

Dive into the UN CitiVerse Initiative, where cutting-edge technologies like AI, digital twins, and quantum computing converge to create an urban living environment that truly responds to citizens’ needs and aspirations. Learn how cities around the world are already harnessing technologies to make everyday life smarter, greener, and more connected, and shaping a future where the diverse needs of our communities are best supported.

Building resilient and smart cities requires integrating nature into urban ecosystems, with trees playing a pivotal role. Trees enhance air quality and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. Their shade lowers surface temperatures and fosters healthier communities. By prioritizing urban forests, cities can create resilient and liveable environments to face future challenges. This session will discuss Plant-for-the-Planet’s Green Belt project in Granada, a new ecosystem of native species for the city.

Energy communities have a pivotal role in energy transition and they are growing around the EU but they often struggle to take-off. The COMANAGE project aims to tackle and counteract the main governance and management barriers faced by citizen-led and public-participated energy communities’ projects by creating a sustainable governance framework and new resources for public authorities that also could be replicated and upscaled.

Focusing on the intersection of technology and urban innovation, this session highlights the practical solutions for redefining cities for the 21st century. Through the lens of efficiency, sustainability, and social equity, the showcased solutions will display how advanced technologies are being implemented to create smarter, greener, and more inclusive urban environments. How are cities leveraging innovation to meet the demands of modern living while ensuring a balanced and equitable approach to urban growth?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Microsoft, PwC in Middle East, Aramco

This keynote addresses the need to move beyond traditional top-down and bottom-up approaches in smart city development, advocating for a hybrid model that integrates both. By balancing technological innovations with community-driven initiatives, hybrid smartness creates more equitable and sustainable urban environments. Drawing from the evolution of smart city discourse, this talk highlights how hybrid smartness can solve urban challenges more effectively by intertwining top-down infrastructure with bottom-up citizen engagement. The keynote will explore how this socio-technical integration can reshape cities to be inclusive and responsive to both human and environmental needs.

Explore how cloud-based technologies can drive sustainable urban transformations with innovative solutions and success stories from global cities to tackle climate change adaptation and mitigation across urban sectors. Discuss new ways to integrate Generative AI to enhance ability of these innovations and strategies for cities to leverage the cloud to reduce emissions, mitigate climate risks, and lead the global charge against the climate crisis.

How do cities ensure the protection of human rights for all residents? What measures can decision-makers implement to address the diverse aspects of human security within their governance frameworks? This roundtable will discuss how local administrations are protecting citizens’ rights through public policies that promote equality, social justice, and overall well-being ensuring access to healthcare, education, and political participation.

The effects of the climate emergency are disrupting our urban lifestyles. How can cities integrate environmental considerations into urban development to create more resilient, livable, and sustainable public spaces? How do green spaces in cities contribute to improving the quality of life for residents, fostering community engagement, ensuring accessibility and safety, and enhancing mental and physical well-being?

How are smart technologies, data-driven strategies, and digital innovation transforming urban spaces? The technological solutions driving the modernization of cities forward need to be accompanied by actionable innovations. The presented tools and approaches are shaping cities toward greater efficiency, sustainability, and equity and are paving the way for a future where technology and urban living coexist harmoniously.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Dell, Dahua, PNY Technologies

Hear from three city leaders how they used $1M to address their most pressing challenges: driving student motivation and engagement, increasing farmer livelihoods and local food production, and protecting trees while providing dignified jobs to residents! And... hear from Bloomberg Philanthropies about the upcoming Mayors Challenge and how your city can win $1 million, staff, and technical assistance to bring your bold idea to life.

The ubiquitous presence of cameras and affordable edge computing, combined with remarkable advances in vision-based AI, present a wealth of new business opportunities. Any process historically monitored by the trained human eye can now be efficiently automated at scale using vision and AI solutions. In this talk, Maurits will first provide several examples of novel vision and AI systems, showcasing how monitoring tasks can be automated at scale, with cameras and AI models working together as “smart sensors” for various business applications. After presenting these examples, Maurits will detail how to build such vision and AI applications, outlining the construction of edge AI vision pipelines. Finally, he will introduce the tools provided by Network Optix to facilitate the easy scaling of innovative vision and AI solutions.

On January 2018, while serving as an Officer on a 300-meter carrier, 500 miles off the Hawaiian Coast, an extinguisher exploded in my face, resulting in the complete loss of my sight. I was 31 years old. Some years later, with the invaluable collaboration of family, friends and key entities, I sailed again. And I founded Yes We Sail, a project to make nautical experiences accessible to blind individuals. Our tech solution and protocol aim to empower people with visual disabilities and build a legacy beyond blindness.

Data analytics startups are helping cities become more livable by using sensors and real-time data to monitor climate risk, energy use, traffic patterns, pollution, and waste collection, leading to smarter urban planning and resource management. These startups look at the data up close and make it personal.

The biggest roadblock to climate-neutral and positive energy districts isn’t technology -it’s the disconnection between stakeholders, each holding a crucial part of the solution but with differing approaches, often leading to misunderstandings or unrealised benefits. Join this session to discover ways stakeholder engagement can unite citizens, leaders, businesses, and financiers to create districts and cities as vibrant as they are sustainable.

Shenzhen has always been a gathering place for innovative technology and high-tech industries. To further enhance the promotion and application of smart city solutions, we have organized this conference under the theme “Digital Shenzhen, City of Technology”. Our goal is to create a platform for exchanges and collaborations, and to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with relevant organizations and enterprises in the field of smart city.

With 2.3 billion people worldwide voting in key elections in the United States, United Kingdom, EU, and India, 2024 will be a global litmus test of the impact of generative AI (GenAI) on elections. This talk discusses the benefits and risk of GenAI in the democratic electoral process.

What is the role of water management and economics in sustaining a sustainable future for cities and regions worldwide? This session will delve into innovative water strategies, focusing on water conservation and circular water-smart systems, along with insights into the economics and financing of water sustainability. Attendees will gain valuable insights into fostering sustainable practices and tackling water scarcity on a global scale.

How are cities managing data analytics to prepare urban areas and citizens for future challenges? Can cities not only analyze data but also predict future dynamics to guarantee resilience and plan in the long term? This session delves into how cities can focus on data collection, storage, and management and use this information to predict performances and dynamics, guaranteeing better resilience and governance.

Increasing environmental pressures are changing the collection of natural resources, and circular practices are an efficient, green solution. These practices provide food security, water management, and waste reduction. What innovative strategies promote circularity in urban resource management? How can this approach address environmental, social, and economic challenges?

The transformative impact of government technologies enhances city life everywhere. Exploring innovations in digital trust and digital services is crucial to understanding modern cities and how cities can leverage technology to create more resilient, efficient, and citizen-centered urban environments. However, are cutting-edge technologies capable of ensuring that city services can adapt to the evolving needs of urban populations?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners MyDigital Corporation, Madinah Smart City Program, National Information Center - SDAIA

Green Agora – November 5th, 15:45-16:15 p.m. Join our panel about the New European Bauhaus LAB project, focusing on “Inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods”. The LAB project represents a collaboration between Drees & Sommer, DGNB, ICLEI, CPEA and Bable Smart Cities. You will learn more about the urban transformation projects across European cities.

Intervention to present the benefits of the province of Cádiz as an investment destination, focusing on the strategic sectors with the greatest presence in the Congress.

Join us for a distinguished dialogue with Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, as he shares insights into the city’s ambitions transformation ahead of the Jubilee celebrations. Discover how new infrastructure projects, soon to be completed, are set to redefine Rome, while cutting-edge technology, like an AI virtual assistant, drives innovation and citizen engagement. Mayor Gualtieri will also discuss his recent partnership with Barcelona to push for European support in social housing, illustrating how major cities are shaping Europe’s social future.

The future of inclusive city living relies on leveraging the latest technological tools to enhance affordability, inclusivity, and access in urban areas. Cities are increasingly embracing diversity, ensuring fairness, and fostering social cohesion through tech-driven solutions. However, as the urban landscape evolves, challenges like the digital divide and systemic inequalities persist. Can technology successfully bridge these gaps and create truly inclusive cities?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Saudi Data and AI Authority, NVIDIA Corporation

EU cities are key to advancing climate mitigation, adaptation, net-zero goals, and competitiveness, while ensuring social inclusion, as acknowledged - among others - by the Covenant of Mayors initiative. This session explores accelerating cities' sustainable and just transformation through Local Green Deals, deploying new net-zero technologies, and creating strategies to make climate neutrality appealing, competitive, accessible, and just.

The session will provide examples of private sector and businesses cooperation with cities, supporting the implementation of climate action plans. Additionally, it will provide insights into how cities can align local needs with business expertise and funding sources. It will also highlight GCoM's initiative, which helps cities accelerate the development of climate projects at the pre-feasibility stage.

Gender-based violence and inequality remain major challenges in communities across Europe and beyond. This session will examine on the current state of gender equality and violence prevention at the local level, identify gaps in existing efforts, and discuss what more local political leaders can do to push the agenda forward.

Government-focused startups are developing technologies that help cities manage resources, track sustainability metrics, and enhance public services, driving efficiency and ecological resilience. These startups will keep governments in check and bring them into the 21st century.

LDT CitiVERSE EDIC is progressing on two tracks: on the one hand in building the digital infrastructure around the Digital Twins and on the other hand in finalizing the establishment of the legal framework as well as increasing the number of adhering Member States. The session covers both aspects with a focus on the development of the EU LDT toolbox as the main asset of the future digital infrastructure around the Digital Twins in Europe (DDP).

Smart City Expo is an ongoing conversation, with different editions taking place in different cities around the world throughout the year. The ideas, conversations, meetings and business opportunities happening in Barcelona this week will continue and expand with abroad editions that will take root in their own local contexts. Thanks to the various partners who commit to being part of the global SCE movement, our impact on the progress of cities and the quality of urban life is deepening every year, as more and more editions become members of this growing family of events. This session will bring together representatives from the editions that will take place in the coming year to learn from their expectations and results of hosting the event in their cities, and how their own Smart City Expo edition can support their most impactful projects these cities are pursuing.

As French cities and metropolitan areas must define an environmental strategy for digital policies by 2025, how are they addressing digital policies with citizens ? In the context of deploying AI in public services, how cities and metropolitan areas are making digital issues a matter of public debate ? For which use cases ? How are cities working in 2024 to raise awareness about digital usage and equipment?

The session will highlight the role of cities in fostering human rights in the digital era and promoting a human-centered digital transformation. A first dialogue will expose how and why cities are relevant to addressing digital rights challenges. It will be followed by a solution dialogue, showcasing different projects from cities to uphold digital rights in urban spaces.

A new concept is taking shape – the CitiVerse, a virtual world, where citizens can navigate and discover public and private cultural, historical, or touristic digital and physical assets, while businesses will offer innovative and circular services. How are EU cities creating the CitiVERSE? In this session, Living-in.EU will bring champion cities and companies together to discuss their approaches and lay the foundation for a strong collaboration.

The session will bring together stakeholders from cities, local governments, and European institutions to discuss how to uphold the place of digital rights in local and European programs and policies and what is needed at all levels of decision-making to build a digital rights focused digital transformation.

Attractive climate neutral and smart cities have high ambitions for innovation. Cities lead in facilitating urban innovation that addresses societal challenges, but what are the ingredients needed and how do you build innovation capacity in a city? We provide an overview of innovation practices and models for cities and discuss collaboration models between the public and private sector and how to work together on innovation.

Integration of smart technologies in urban infrastructure, like smart grids and transportation systems, alongside AI-driven optimization, enhances city operations' efficiency and sustainability. Utilizing city data via digital twins identifies areas for improvement, while shared data (e.g., satellite maps, and smart sensors) optimizes traffic and mobility. In addition, the keynote also sheds light on smart cities efforts and achievements in Saudi Arabia.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners National Information Center - Saudi Arabia

This colloquium will explore the digital strategies and tools driving innovation in cities. During the session, best practices will be analyzed, and the implementation of advanced technologies for urban transformation will be shared. Additionally, emerging trends in digitalization will be discussed, focusing on how they can improve the quality of life for citizens, promote sustainability, and increase the efficiency of public services.

AI and real-time monitoring startups provide cities with the tools to track environmental conditions, optimize waste management, and improve energy efficiency, making urban areas more adaptive and sustainable. These promising companies are using AI for good.

Integrating services and fostering community engagement can transform urban spaces into sustainable, thriving environments. Empowered communities can create net-positive smart cities by addressing challenges like population growth and resource scarcity. Strong engagement allows residents to shape their cities, boosting ownership and belonging. Case studies show that collaboration and service integration improve operations, quality of life, and environmental contributions, offering valuable insights for urban development.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Saudi Aramco

Major Cities of Europe and Socitm UK present their initiatives for technology innovation for Cities, Regions and Communities. Major Cities of Europe partners present some leading edge projects: UNCHAIN for Urban sustainable logistics, AVATEX and FLOWTEX for AI innovation and circular economy in the textile industry.

The Innovation and Health Biocluster is the territorial proposal to develop one of the most relevant poles of scientific activity in southern Europe through a public/private alliance to promote the most advanced and personalized medicine and the development of an economy based on innovation and knowledge in a privileged environment that integrates companies, organizations and top-level scientific and health infrastructures.

Discover how VisitMadridGPT is revolutionizing tourism by offering personalized recommendations, real-time support, and rich cultural insights to visitors. This session will delve into the creation of the VisitMadridGPT assistant by the City of Madrid, showcasing how it enhances visitor experiences and supports the city’s tourism goals. Join us to learn about the innovative ways that VisitMadridGPT is making Madrid a smarter, more connected city.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Microsoft, Madrid Destino

Melati will share a fresh perspective from the young changemakers who are already reshaping communities through their actions. They envision cities that aim at cleaner air, creating less plastic waste, greener streets and cities that embrace the circular economy. The change needed to make such cities possible starts with education, and Melati will share the inspiring story of how, at the age of 12, she started Bye Bye Plastic Bags at her home island, Bali. Years later, she started the social enterprise Mountain Mamas, creating bags from donated and pre-loved materials. More recently, she has kicked of an e-learning platform with educational program from youth for youth called Youthtopia. Melati is the living proof that true change begins when one turns their passion into their purpose, and ideas into action. As the cities of tomorrow demand the courage to act today, youth should be a crucial part of leading the way.

Only 20% of the world’s AI investment in 2035 will go toward GenAI, yet many cities still struggle to look beyond today’s flashy headlines. Municipalities in the UK, Africa and US are combining AI and data science to deliver tangible benefits for their citizens and city administrators alike. From smart water management to EV charging installations, learn which AI innovations are driving the most impact -- and which use cases are pure fluff.

How are cities leveraging cutting-edge technology to combat the climate crisis? What innovative solutions are innovators proposing to enhance urban sustainability? Cities are at the forefront of using advanced technology to tackle the climate emergency. By integrating the latest innovations, cities are optimizing energy use, reducing waste, and improving air quality to create a more sustainable and resilient future. Join us in learning how disruptive technologies enable the development of future-proof cities.

Cities are increasingly experiencing the direct and indirect consequences of the climate emergency. Simultaneously, they are hubs of innovation that can enhance their resilience and foster healthier, more sustainable environments through sustainable urban planning strategies. By integrating green spaces, eco-friendly infrastructure, and renewable energy, cities are reducing carbon footprints and promoting biodiversity. How can they further leverage these strategies to combat climate change?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners ROSHN, KHNP

Startups are offering solutions that integrate green architecture, smart utilities, and circular economy practices to make cities more eco-friendly, reducing waste and energy consumption. These startups will keep us happy, safe, and cozy in our new urban environments.

We need to include young people’s voices and innovative ideas to create cities of tomorrow. C40’s Youth Reinventing Cities competitions empower young people, from schools to universities, to collaborate with city leaders and share their vision. In dialogue with cities, young leaders, and other partners, the session will unpack solutions that are truly inspiring and changing urban areas into more green and thriving neighbourhoods.

As Artificial Intelligence advances rapidly, how can it help transform cities as an economic and social driver? How is AI already proving to help cities in their sustainable development advancements, and what future opportunities will this technology offer? This session will explore AI’s potential in decision-making while addressing how cities around the world are successfully managing any associated ethical concerns and risks.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners NVIDIA, PNY Technologies

The latest technological advances are revolutionizing our lives. How can we use eco-innovation to make cities more energy-efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly? This session will analyze how cutting-edge technology enhances urban green spaces and explore the challenges and solutions innovators and administrations face in creating more technological and sustainable cities.

‘SMR Smart Net Zero City’ is a city that achieves sustainable development and carbon neutrality by utilizing SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and renewable energy. SMRs and renewable energy supply systems can provide all the energy required by a city, including electricity, heat, and hydrogen, at an economical price. This system not only contributes to economic growth and job creation but also helps the city achieve carbon neutrality.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners KHNP

At this event, you will discover the challenges faced by cities around the world in shaping the cities of the future. They will demonstrate the tools they use, such as innovative tenders and other open innovation strategies, to implement future pilots and procure new solutions.

We investigate lessons from 5 novel firm-driven contributions to systemic barriers for adopting circular economy principles. How to crack the system lock-in bottom-up! We invite you to help us identify the systemic barriers we need to address in the next round of Blueprint Projects supported by Circular Buildings Coalition (CBC).

This agora session, co-organised by Eurocities and the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, will facilitate an open discussion between city representatives on the potential of digital twins to enhance local policies in European cities.

Cities are embracing the transformative potential of cutting-edge technology. Innovations in AI, IoT, data analysis, and connectivity are already transforming urban areas into smarter, more efficient, and more inclusive environments. The key to success lies in leveraging these technologies to empower thriving cities, creating innovative, resilient, and citizen-centric urban hubs. How can urban leaders implement these technologies seamlessly into the day-to-day of cities to take advantage of all their potential?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Microsoft, Dell Technologies

KPMG and Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA/YVR) are teaming up to harness the power of digital twins for clients, creating a unified source of truth that enhances data value for complex operations. This collaboration merges YVR's operational insights with KPMG's technology deployment and advanced analytics expertise. Join us to learn how to confidently embark on your digital twin journey, transforming operations and enhancing decision-making.

The rise of photovoltaic systems and high-power charging stations is increasing electrical network complexity. Meanwhile, hydrogen technologies and infrastructure are advancing, vital for a resilient energy system. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC) is leading these efforts, promoting decarbonizing technologies to support sustainable urban growth. These initiatives aim to meet cities' energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.

Ubiwhere, a digital SME, invests daily in Research & Innovation in Digital Twins and other cutting-edge technologies alongside great partners and consortia. Find out in this keynote how Ubiwhere's body of work with academia, corporations, and communities is suiting the future of more than 75 cities around the world towards sustainability and better living conditions.

Patrick Child, Mission Manager of the EU Cities Mission, will reflect on successful practices of Mission cities in engaging private stakeholders. He will share examples of cities fostering climate-neutral practices and smart innovation among businesses, leading to broader industry participation. The speech will discuss how the Climate City Contract process can help in this engagement and what the implications are for the competitiveness of European clean industries.

Uncover the latest Spanish advancements in smart city solutions, spanning urban mobility, environmental technologies, and urban landscape design. amec urbis companies lead the way in sustainable development, enhancing the well-being and quality of life for citizens globally. Attend this event to gain insights from Spain’s foremost companies as they share their knowledge and experience in promoting responsible, forward-thinking urban growth.

As subsidies run out, cities need new financing solutions for energy transition. Explore less traditional funding options and key barriers cities face, based on consultations on attitudes to innovative financing instruments on local level. Learn what options cities have and how to secure private capital and overcome obstacles. Missing this session means missing critical insights that could leave your city behind in the race to climate neutrality.

What are the key benefits of integrating digital twin technology into smart city initiatives? How are digital twins revolutionizing urban planning and decision-making through real-time monitoring and prediction? This session will explore how digital twins have become a crucial tool, anticipating urban scenarios and facilitating the creation of more adaptive and sustainable built environments for their citizens, and predicting what it will bring in the future.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Axis Communications

Clean energy sources provide safer, more plentiful, and environmentally friendly solutions for decarbonization. Beyond the latest innovations proposed daily for this transition, it is important to explore how the urban fabric is implementing these measures and the effects they have on the dynamics of cities.

In this talk, Ruha Benjamin takes us into the liberating power of the imagination. Deadly systems all emerged from the human imagination, and have real-world, often deadly impacts. To fight harmful systems and create a world in which everyone can thrive, we will have to imagine things differently. Drawing on work that critically examines “smart” technologies that perpetuate inequities and engaging with grassroots approaches to community building, she offers a pragmatic and poetic approach to worldbuilding that invites each of us to consider the role we play in maintaining or transforming the oppressive status quo.

City governments must strive to leave no one behind. As global inequalities intensify, cities have the potential to become sanctuaries where all citizens are given equal opportunities. This starts with forward-thinking, bold, and decisive policy planning and implementation. By harnessing the power of community engagement, accessible technologies, and sustainable development, cities can evolve to meet their residents' diverse needs and foster a sense of belonging for all citizens.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Government of Malaysia, KPMG

A smart city and utility investment event that give the opportunity for start ups contributing to the digitalization of cities and utilities to:


(i) Secure investments from top VCs such as Demeter, Yotta Capital, Speedinvest, and Bloomhaus Ventures

(ii) Receive non-dilutive grants up to €75,000

(iii) Sign commercial and partnership agreements with leading cities and industry players


The event will be filmed and published.

As cities grow and evolve, the need for sustainable and environmentally responsible development becomes increasingly urgent. This session delves into the critical strategies and innovations required to decarbonize the built environment and foster the development of carbon-neutral cities. Experts will share insights into the latest trends in urban sustainability, offering practical solutions for transforming our cities into resilient, eco-friendly spaces that prioritize both the environment and the quality of life for their inhabitants.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Veloia

Curious about interoperability in its broadest sense? This session focuses on the different layers of the seamless exchange of information in the digital world, encompassing the organisational, semantic, technical and operational aspects, along with mindset and skills. We'll explore how interoperability is essential for effective cooperation within and between cities and communities, emphasizing a human-centered approach.

We live in complex times that are shaping the course of the cities and people who will inhabit the cities of the future. We propose an inspirational session to find out: What will their families be like? What priorities, fears and struggles will remain? How will they communicate and relate to each other? Where will they work? What will be their main leisure activities? We propose a space for dialogue to reflect on how to make the cities of the future more liveable.

Today, technology has profoundly transformed the way societies operate, and governance is no exception. Technological development has given rise to an era of smart collaboration where governments, businesses, and citizens work together to tackle global challenges. In this session, we will explore how the strategic use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and digital connectivity improves decision-making, transparency, and efficiency in government processes, paving the way for smarter collaborations.

In the midst of the struggle to balance supply-driven and demand-driven technology adoption, city officials face the challenge of ensuring the practical implementation of human-centricity in their smart cities. How can cities translate strategies and theories into actionable initiatives that prioritize livability and inclusivity in technology adoption? Madinah, Saudi Arabia has tackled these dilemmas by introducing its City Experience Playbook.

Can new technologies help build resilient, secure, and forward-thinking urban environments? How can local leaders spearhead this technological revolution? Strategic governance is essential for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tech into city life while ensuring robust security frameworks. As policymakers are pivotal in fostering innovation, safeguarding digital infrastructure, and protecting citizen data, this high-level roundtable will debate how effective governance can create innovative, secure, and vibrant cities for the future.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Axis Communitacions, PwC

Dive into a thought-provoking session on how we can all support women in technology and bring real balance to the field. Through engaging stories and smart strategies, our panelists will reveal the challenges they've faced and the breakthroughs that are paving the way for future generations. Discover the powerful impact of mentorship, the importance of breaking down barriers, and the small actions that create lasting change for women in tech. Join us to reimagine a tech world that’s inclusive, dynamic, and truly equitable.

Startups are using innovative technologies to address challenges like climate change, resource management, and pollution. From IoT to AI, these solutions aim to create smarter, more sustainable urban environments while reducing ecological footprints. This batch of startups promises to think big.

How are cutting-edge technologies like IoT, AI and digital platforms transforming cities into smarter, more sustainable environments? These solutions talks session will highlight key innovations driving urban growth, streamlining services, and enhancing citizen engagement, providing insights on how digital strategies are preparing cities for the future, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners NOVA Information Management School

This event will launch the DeCiDE project, a collaborative effort to enhance democratic, inclusive urban governance. By doing so the project promotes cities as a better place to live by ensuring human rights through new participatory solutions. This project aims to develop a monitoring tool for human rights in cities. Academics,local administrators, and civil society organizations from 10 different cities will co-develop this innovative tool.

How are cities adjusting to evolving urban dynamics to meet the needs of their residents effectively? What strategies can cities adopt to guarantee equitable access to essential resources for all their citizens? The session will delve into the measures being put into place by local governments to ensure access to urban design necessities, discussing the policies that are globally shaping more inclusive, sustainable, and secure cities.

In a constantly changing world, cities are adapting their strategic plans to prepare for the future. However, how governments respond to citizens' direct concerns will truly redefine agile governance. In this session, we will explore how GovTech solutions guarantee efficiency and effectiveness in addressing both urban challenges and cities' needs while incorporating other leaders in the digital transformation to make it happen.

Cities are key to aligning economic growth and climate goals. This session explores how mayors from Barcelona, Milan, and Manchester are driving reindustrialisation and proximity planning to build competitive, climate-neutral urban economies. We'll discuss how cities can contribute to the upcoming EU Clean Industrial Deal, foster innovation, create jobs, and ensure their work spearhead national and EU policies for a sustainable future.

Connected cities have the opportunity to launch IoT sensors, devices, and deployments for a variety of use cases to gather and send real-time data insights over LoRaWAN networks. Leveraging those insights, cities, municipalities, and towns can make informed decisions on how to improve cities, sustainability, and quality of life for citizens and visitors. In this session, the LoRa Alliance and member experts will discuss the IoT connectivity standard LoRaWAN, enabling and providing the connectivity sending the data and how to leverage the technology to make positive impacts in your city. The discussion will tell you how to get started, deployment requirements, and what sort of solutions you can deploy to enhance urban life.

Six finalists amongst all startups present at SCEWC Innovation Playground will be competing for the Urban Innovators Startup Award. The session consist of pitches by the selected finalists, and an award ceremony.

Madrid City Council presents its technological platform. The aim is to provide Madrid with the necessary technological solutions to implement a smart city model, through a platform that centralises the information and management of the city's public service contracts and provides the technological basis for the development and creation of the new services that the city will need in the coming years.

This roundtable will discuss the fundamental challenge facing cities today: how to reap the benefits of digital transformation and ensure it delivers for everyone, fostering social inclusion and integrating the environmental aspect. City representatives will bring their examples and perspectives and discuss how international cooperation can support cities in playing their part to achieve the twin transition and Sustainable Development Goals.