Agenda

Insights from the Mayor of Tirana, Albania.

Insights on parking management space innovation.

How are the latest technological advances transforming the way we build and inhabit our cities? The impact of technologies like Digital Twins, IoT, AI, and advanced construction techniques on the urban environment is undeniable. These innovations are revolutionizing urban planning, construction, and infrastructure usage, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. It is vital to harness these technologies to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and tech-forward.

Pan-European perspectives on the path to liveable cities.

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.

Just-in-Time Arrival guidelines place a key emphasis on Data Quality. Through the presentation of findings from early adopter ports and online surveys, attendees will gain insights into current operational practices and the potential value of adopting optimization measures. The efforts of the taskforce to synchronize activities with IMO aiming to bolster resilience and efficiency across maritime supply chains will also be highlighted.

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?

How can urban planning prioritize community well-being, cater to the diverse needs of residents, and enhance the overall city-living experience? This roundtable focuses on the power of urban planning and landscaping in promoting sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities. Discussions will analyze innovative trends in city planning and strategies to address current challenges, providing a platform for urban innovators to share experiences related to building inclusive and resilient cities.

With drug trafficking and organized crime on the rise, the European Commission is taking action with the European Ports Alliance and its Public-Private Partnership. Instead of sticking to traditional methods and government control, we will explore how disruptive innovation can be our secret weapon. Join us to learn how governments, port authorities and shipping companies can secure ports and fight crime.

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.

Supply chains have proven vulnerable, as evidenced by events such as the extreme drought in the Panama Canal early this year, the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis in the Red Sea, and more. With extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels increasingly linked to climate change, alongside political crises and geopolitical conflicts, there is a growing concern over how these issues will impact international maritime transit. In light of these challenges, what tools can we leverage to mitigate these effects? What best practices should be embraced? Are there disruptive solutions on the horizon to minimize disturbances?

Presentations on the role of autonomous vehicles in mobility systems.

What are the key ingredients that are needed to turn a city into effective mobility innovation lab? This session will explore the essential components that transform a city into an optimal test bed for sustainable mobility innovation.

Throughout history, ports have been the gateway for trade, goods, and people, and therefore, also for new ideas and innovation. The changing landscape of logistics and technology, along with increased awareness of climate change, has forced port authorities to shift their mindset and embrace a new role in cities to reduce environmental impact. This panel session will explore the dynamics between ports and cities, focusing on key themes such as environmental conservation and biodiversity protection, economic support and growth, human resource development, job creation, and the integration of green spaces.

Roundtable navigating the different contexts of urban air mobility deployment.

The changing landscape of logistics and technology has forced port authorities to embrace a new role, turning them into hub managers overseeing a complex network of stakeholders and operations. Over the course of the 21st century, there has been an important shift in focus among port authorities, moving away from facilitating maritime connections to actively acting as business promoters. Join us in this session to explore the envisioned future of ports in 2040 and discover the direction ports are taking.

How are advancements in construction techniques reshaping the built environment? The path to resilient and eco-friendly urban development lies in smart construction. This session will explore the pivotal role of new construction methods and mindsets in achieving sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities. It will delve into innovative approaches to new technologies in building techniques, and design innovations contributing to the urban centers of the future.

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 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.

Efficient collaborating across sectors is key to unlock the potential of mobility innovations. In this session, speakers will exchange about the impact of ecosystems in deploying the technologies needed to address mobility challenges. The panel will reflect on the roles and responsibilities of private and public decision-makers in rolling out successful innovation ecosystems.

How can innovation ecosystems solve our mobility challenges? What are the roles and responsibilities of decision-makers within, and towards, these ecosystems?

Strategic urban design and sustainable event planning are vital to preparing cities for hosting global events and tourism. This session will explore innovative building solutions and cutting-edge urban planning, highlighting smart tourism and internationalization in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Can cities leverage innovative infrastructure and smart technologies to prepare for hosting major international events and enhance smart tourism while ensuring long-term benefits for their citizens?

In this session, we explore how start-ups can effectively collaborate with port authorities to drive success. We will explore practical strategies for start-ups in port-related industries, ranging from understanding regulations to finding ways to collaborate effectively. Additionally, we will delve into the role of innovation hubs that are gaining strength in this sector. Come join us as we uncover how start-ups can use partnerships with port authorities to drive growth and innovation.

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?

Electric scooters and other PLEVs have come to stay in our cities and surroundings. They are efficient, economic, comfortable and sustainable, and so did citizens agree, having more than 5 milion PLEV users in Spain and 2.5 million in France.

How can we take advantage of this revolution in order to support a modal change to these sustainable vehicles? Several experts in the sector will talk about this from different perspectives!

How can innovation alleviate transport poverty? How can we make sure the sustainable mobility transition is not slowed down during less favourable economic times?

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?

EU cities are key in advancing climate adaptation, reaching net-zero goals, and enhancing industry competitiveness. They are vital for the Green Deal’s 55% emission reduction target by 2030. This session focuses on accelerating cities' sustainable transformation, deploying new net-zero technologies, and creating a supportive environment by exploring action plans and strategies to make climate neutrality appealing, competitive, and accessible.

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.

‘Ciudad y Territorio Digital’ from the Observatorio 2030 integrates the digitalization of the built environment at all levels, from rural areas to cities, focusing on the technological impact to improve mobility, the definition of public spaces, and universal accessibility. It addresses the optimization of energy, water, and waste and the possibilities that digitalization offers to the construction process of our cities and towns.

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.

Cities and the private sector must join forces to develop a zero-carbon, resilient, and inclusive urban regeneration model. What are the strategies that cities can uptake? What is the private sector’s role? This session will showcase best practices and flagship urban regeneration projects including Reinventing Cities - a powerful initiative involving 30 global cities and over 3500 businesses to date.

The session will explore the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in sustainable urban development, focusing on its capacity to enhance public services, improve urban sustainability, and localize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will bring together experts, policymakers, and academia to discuss AI's role in shaping future cities.

This session aims to explore the transformative impact of innovative technologies and practices on port sustainability. By examining real-world case studies and future trends, this session will highlight the path towards more sustainable port ecosystems, emphasizing collaboration and policymaking as essential components in achieving these goals. The Port of Barcelona has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop dock electrification, known as Nexigen, with the aim of providing ships with renewable electrical energy during their time in port.

The successful deployment of zero-emission technologies, both at vehicle and infrastructure level, heavily depend on their adoptions by private and public vehicle fleets. This panel will reflect on the importance of fleets to accelerate the adoption of cleaner forms of mobility and will explore the role of fleets in supporting transformational mobility innovations.

How will public and private vehicle fleets evolve in tomorrow's mobility? What role will they play in the sustainable urban mobility transition?

With the pressing need to tackle carbon emissions in the maritime industry, cities and ports are teaming up like never before. Green corridors, a rapidly expanding initiative, are making it possible for ports and cities to turn climate goals into real actions. This session provides a chance to take a deeper dive into some of these projects and hear from world-leading ports and cities.

What are effective strategies to increase walking and cycling in cities? What is the best way to measure the costs and benefits of more active mobility in urban areas?

Join us for a discussion on the potential impact of AI. With AI being relatively underutilized in the port industry until recently, this session offers valuable insights into the innovative applications that have begun to shape the landscape. Participants will engage in discussions on the transformative potential of AI technologies in optimizing port operations, enhancing efficiency, and addressing emerging challenges.

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?

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.

Urban design is being revolutionized by cutting-edge advancements, enabling the creation of advanced and sustainable cities. This session covers the high-tech tools that make it possible to design the world's most advanced cities. What are the implications of these technologies for city living, and their impact on urban environments and residents' quality of life? How are digital tools shaping the design process for buildings, infrastructures, and entire cities?

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.

In this keynote session, we delve into how innovation and technology are revolutionizing port security. As technology continues to advance and cybercrime becomes increasingly sophisticated, ensuring the safety of ports has become vital. Join us as we explore the evolving role of innovation in shaping the future of port security.

Join us at this roundtable discussion to explore innovative tools driving sustainability in the Blue Economy, focusing on the port-city relationship. Experts from businesses, port authorities and NGOs will share successful cross-sector strategies. Discover how technology, regulations, and community involvement can turn port-city dynamics into economic and environmental opportunities. Connect with leaders and transform your understanding of sustainable port-city ecosystems. Be part of the journey towards a thriving blue future.

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?

Costs and benefits of investing in public transport

A focused dialogue on the experiences and insights from Central and Eastern European cities

Insights from Moventis about innovations for public transport.

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.

What emerging trends and technological advancements are influencing property management and utilization? This session explores the latest innovations in real estate, covering asset management, housing, and collaborative tools. Gain insights into how these technologies are reshaping lifestyles and work environments, providing a comprehensive look at the future of real estate in a technology-driven world.

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.

Best practices and learnings from innovations in public transport

Join 'Driving the Change' to explore how US telecom, utilities, and transit agencies are transforming transportation with green initiatives and enhanced connectivity. Learn about electrification of transportation, innovative traffic strategies, and emission-reducing lighting. Discover how communities are achieving scalability, responsiveness, and resiliency through advanced wireless deployments today.

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.

Urban vehicle access regulations (UVAR) serve to reduce traffic-borne emissions which are the cause of a significant number of premature deaths and health related economic costs, as well as reduced congestion and increased safety. This session would look at UVAR from two perspectives - from the latest technologies and solutions on the market and from the implementation/lessons learned from cities.

How far are we from an integrated EU value chain for e-mobility? How are the automotive industry and its suppliers managing the transformation?

With ever decreasing budgets, greater citizen expectations, social inequality challenges, and the pressure cities are facing with the climate emergency, the role of transport to support economic growth and further supporting healthier cities, there needs to be a transformative shift on how cities work with the market to move to sustainable collaborative partnerships and avoid low-level transactional activity.

Rikesh Shah, a global leader on open innovation will make the case on how cities can shape markets and work in collaboration to develop innovative solutions to achieve better, cheaper and quicker public policy outcomes. He previously led Open Innovation at Transport for London.

If you are a public body or an innovative start-up, academic, venture capitalists or accelerator, listen to Rikesh's challenge to all of us.

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 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 is the building sector adapting to city sustainability initiatives? How can the built environment help mitigate urban climate change impacts? This session delves into new construction practices that align with city-level sustainability goals. Discussions will explore the challenges and opportunities for the building sector in supporting urban sustainability objectives, particularly in combating climate change and achieving decarbonization targets.

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.

The Spanish Federation of Personal Electric Vehicles organises a roundtable where different agents from all concerning sectors related to mobility take part: citizens, legal, political and mobility. Within this roundtable targeted to interested politicians in Spain and Europe, we will discover the opportunities that PEVs have regarding the particular, professional and touristic use. We will deep in the current regulations for them in Spain.

Insights from the Mayor of Rzesow, Poland.

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.

Cities are where the impacts of extreme heat events are felt hardest. Extreme heat events have been identified as the most lethal of climate-related disasters, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including the elderly, economically and socially disadvantaged, and those with disabilities. This session shares lessons from C40 cities on how they act to cool neighborhoods and buildings and protect their residents.

Innovative solutions for faster, cleaner and more cost-effective deliveries.

Explore the dynamic interplay of collaboration and innovation in this panel, where leading experts dissect the role of Public-Private Partnerships in propelling smart city technologies and sustainable urban development into the next era.

discussion exploring the future of urban logistics organisation models.

What are we still missing in order to truly put safety at the core of our mobility systems? What role do gender-responsive innovations play in making mobility safer?

Dive into the dynamic world of Urban Shark Tank, where innovative companies present bold, climate-smart use cases to a panel of city leaders. The stakes are high as these "sharks" probe deeply, asking tough questions about the replicability of each use case. Can these solutions be successfully implemented across diverse urban landscapes? The most adaptable and scalable cases will earn the sharks' support and win prizes from the audience!

Con el aumento del interés global en reducir la huella de carbono y promover un ambiente más sostenible, es crucial adaptar nuestra infraestructura a vehículos eléctricos y sostenibles. Destacar la importancia de integrar políticas y tecnologías avanzadas en nuestras carreteras para garantizar su seguridad y conectividad, enfocándose en la movilidad eléctrica.

This panel session will explore the experiences of cities and technical partners, discussing the challenges of deploying new technologies or governance structures at the neighborhood scale. Participants from the UP2030 project (Horizon Europe), will address integration hurdles and social acceptance issues. The session will also examine city-wide upscaling opportunities, highlighting strategies for overcoming barriers and fostering transitions.

Insights on use cases for shared mobility data.

Almost 10 years after the Paris Agreement, citizens are increasingly struggling with the effects of a constantly changing climate, experiencing unprecedented high temperatures and an elevated risk of disasters. Despite this, the role cities play in addressing the climate crisis demonstrates how local efforts can drive meaningful results on a global scale. In this session, we will explore the adaptation strategies and best practices cities implement to achieve climate goals.

How can smart infrastructures be designed to adapt to evolving city dynamics? This session highlights cutting-edge advancements in smart building technology and their influence on construction practices and architectural design. Discussions will examine the integration of IoT, automation, and technology to boost energy efficiency, optimize space usage, and enhance occupant comfort and safety. The focus will be on how to create resilient and sustainable urban infrastructures equipped to meet future challenges.

What are the new developments cities are using to enhance digital services? How are they ensuring a higher speed, accessibility, and efficiency in delivering top-notch city services? As city agencies take the lead in the use of digital technologies to better serve residents, businesses, visitors, and all who depend on urban services, this roundtable will unravel the skills and infrastructures reshaping advanced digital services.

Exploring the links between data and energy

The intersection of enabling technologies and sustainability is revolutionizing how environmental challenges are addressed. Innovations such as IoT, AI, and renewable energy systems are enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and making our overall existence more sustainable. As societies become more aware of the urgent need to adopt sustainable practices, tech leaders are pioneering the transition to a greener, more sustainable future for our planet.

Roundtable on the benefits of data and data sharing for better mobility.

Technological innovations are redefining the way people move around. From zero-emission powertrains to autonomous vehicles and AI-powered mobility solutions, innovators offer bold pathways to public and private decision-makers. In this session, speakers will reflect on the driving forces behind the mobility transition, and on the role of public procurements to foster mobility-related innovations.

Insights into the different operational contexts and challenges of shared micromobility

Explore the pros and cons of innovative mobility policies and solutions in Spain and Portugal. This session will provoke thought and discussion on topics like free public transport, micro-mobility trends, automated mobility, reversed logistics, fast fashion, and the new bike insurance law. Engage with experts to understand the implications and pathways forward.

What obstacles arise in urban environments that hinder digital equality and inclusion, and how can cities address them? In what ways are local governments promoting digital equity and social justice to ensure equal access to technology? This roundtable will explore the innovative strategies that cities are employing to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all residents have equitable access to technology, digital literacy, and the opportunities they facilitate.

The preservation of a world based on democratic values, where the quality of life and equality in rights are guaranteed, is a mission that requires the active participation of cities and a joint effort from their stakeholders across all levels of collaboration. How are we empowering civil society to help move our cities forward? What innovative ideas are cities developing to foster citizen engagement, particularly among the youth?

How have successful retrofit projects implemented smart building and sustainable solutions to transform existing infrastructure? This session delves into strategies and technologies for retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructure, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and digital integration. From energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy integration to deploying IoT devices and smart building technologies, the session aims to showcase the benefits of retrofitting through successful projects and innovative solutions.

Discussion on the current and future role of micromobility in urban mobility systems.