Agenda

Multimodal and Interconnected Hubs for Freight and Passenger Transport come in various sizes and functions, catering for both people, goods or a combination of both. They are crucial to delivering Zero-Emission and seamless urban mobility. This session will provide an overview of different types of hubs, the essential role they play in creating cities built for and around people and which are the best practices from MOVE21.

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.

Decades of government and philanthropic policies have facilitated economically stagnant zones where people measure their success by how far they get away. This talent-extraction paradigm makes them far more vulnerable to real estate speculation and displacement, and removes individuals with spending power, day to day examples of success, and the investment and financial acumen needed to build local economies.

More information of this session coming soon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Through technologies like digital twins and enhanced connectivity digitalization is paving the way for a greener future. This session explores how these innovations are transforming industries, optimizing resources, and reducing environmental impact. Learn more about the role of digital twins in sustainability and the power of connectivity in driving eco-friendly solutions.

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?

More information of this session coming soon.

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.

What does it take to build the cities of the future? Understanding the transformative power of the innovations that are shaping modern urban landscapes is crucial. By showcasing cutting-edge novelties in construction, infrastructure, and urban planning, this session provides insights into the strategies implemented to create resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.

Presentations on the role of autonomous vehicles in mobility systems.

Discover the cutting-edge advancements in road infrastructure essential for the seamless integration of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). This session will present the latest findings on enhancing physical and digital infrastructure to support autonomous mobility. We will explore practical case studies, innovative solutions, and discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating future-ready roads.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Roundtable navigating the different contexts of urban air mobility deployment.

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 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.

This event will uncover the political strategies, measures and strategic investments made towards boosting and shaping e-mobility in five developing countries. The debate will aim to showcase each country's unique journey, spotlighting Costa Rica's shift to electric taxis, Kenya's and Paraguay’s National E-Mobility Strategies, Cuenca’s effort to reduce CO2 emission on its historic centre and India's transition to electric public transportation.

In this event, all the finalist proposals submitted by the participating companies in the Second Urban Mobility Challenge will be showcased. This mobility challenge, organized by BILM, invited companies from around the world to present innovative proposals to improve Barcelona's bus network. During the session, each finalist company will present their innovative solution.

In a world of ever-evolving technology, we tend to look for the next big thing to transform our urban environments. But is it really about the latest tech, or do we just need a more holistic approach when it comes to the smart and green city of the future? Join Mr. Sascha Pallenberg as he takes us on a journey to Taipei, Taiwan, where they’ve created a smart, green city that citizens love living in, showing that a sustainable future is within our reach.

BlueMissionMed is a European project focused on designing, structuring, and supporting an innovation ecosystem in the Mediterranean basin to accelerate progress toward the goals of the 'Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030' Mission, with a particular emphasis on preventing and eliminating pollution. In this session, the project will showcase solutions related to the port and tourism sectors, aiming to foster collaboration among key stakeholders.

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?

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.

Discover Brazil's opportunities as a leader in the water economy, clean energy, and agroindustry. The country excels in sustainable water management, leads in renewable energy, and uses precision technologies in agroindustry. With a favorable regulatory environment and public-private partnerships, Brazil attracts significant international investments. Explore how Brazil combines resources with innovation and sustainability.

Communities drive transformative change in urban districts through strategic solutions. This session showcases innovative approaches that empower residents, foster collaboration, and enhance the livability of urban areas. Engage with experts to explore community-led initiatives, policy impacts, and sustainable practices that build strong, vibrant, and resilient neighborhoods.

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?

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.

More information of this session coming soon.

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?

Insights into more diverse, equitable and inclusive transport systems.

Connect, mingle, and ignite strategic conversations in a fun, engaging setting. Meet the right people before the drinks, so you'll know exactly who to toast to!

Don’t forget your business cards since connections await!

Only for Investors & Startups.

A panel discussion exploring ideas for fairer mobility systems.

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.

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.

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.

Discuss and explore the future freight regarding last mile deliveres; challenges, opportunities witin a discussion on the new vision that needs to be updated in view of the rapid urban changes which are approaching

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Melati will share the vision, brought through a fresh perspective of young changemakers who already reshaping communities by their actions are. Envision cities that choose for better air, create less (plastic) waste, greener in streets and buildings and embrace the circular economy. And that change comes starts with education, in the classroom. Melati will share the inspiring story where she at the age of 12 started with Bye Bye Plastic Bags and her home island of Bali. Years later started the circular economy principle through the social enterprise Mountain Mamas, who created bags from donated, pre-loved material. And recently kicked off a e-learning platform with educational programs for Youth by youth called YOUTHTOPIA. Melati is the living proof that true change can start when youth turn their passion into purpose. And their ideas into Action. The cities of tomorrow demand the courage to act today, allow youth the lead the way with you.

More information of this session coming soon.

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.

A discussion on designing cities for walkability and cycling.

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?

Panel debate on actions to improve active mobility.

Explore how smart mobility and transportation innovations are reshaping urban areas for a sustainable future. This session highlights technologies and strategies that reduce environmental impact, enhance efficiency, and promote green cities. Join experts to discuss the integration of intelligent systems, public transit, and eco-friendly infrastructure in creating sustainable, connected urban environments.

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.

‘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.

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.

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 event will explore choices cities can make to adapt their transportation systems to meet NetZero and Personal Mobility goals. Speakers from Asia and Europe will discuss work in their cities to meet these goals reflecting on both positive and negative lessons learned through real world deployments.

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.

More information of this session coming soon.

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

More information of this session coming soon.

Explore the cutting-edge Spanish innovations shaping the smart cities of tomorrow, presented by amec urbis companies. Join this exclusive event where leading Spanish companies will share their expertise to drive smart, responsible, and innovative urban growth.

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.

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.

Best practices and learnings from innovations in public transport

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.

Join us at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona for a panel on "Innovative Strategies for Tackling Plastic Pollution in Urban Waterways." Esteemed speakers from Amsterdam's pioneering Bubble Barrier project, the AMS Institute, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will offer insights into sustainable urban solutions. Don't miss this chance to learn, collaborate, and drive positive change for cleaner, more resilient cities worldwide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Solutions to improve electric vehicle users’ charging experience.

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.

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.

Explain what the Barcelona Innova Lab Mobility consists of, which arises from the collaboration between the Barcelona City Council, Fira de Barcelona, and BITHabitat, with the support of the DGT and EIT Urban Mobility. In this regard, the current portfolio of projects will be presented, as well as the theme of the new mobility challenge that will be launched to the public.