Agenda

Welcome to the events for better cities!

This opening session sets the tone for the entire event, featuring a welcome speech by Ugo Valenti, Director of Smart City Expo World Congress, and Marc Rozendal, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility. The session will also include contributions from high-level representatives who will share insights on how cities are transforming, innovating, and creating to improve the way we live, move, and build.

the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme promotes decentralized international urban and regional cooperation focused on sustainable development and innovation. During SCEWC 2025, its Global Thematic Networking Workshop will bring together 248 delegates from 124 cities and regions to co-create pilot projects around three pillars: Smart & Connected, Green & Clean, and Just & Inclusive.

This roundtable discussion will explore strategies for boosting cybersecurity within urban environments. We will focus on identifying key takeaways for Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities, drawing upon the experiences and lessons learned from their Western and Northern European counterparts.

As climate risk grows, housing investors are backing retrofits, renewables, and net-zero solutions. This session dives into how blended finance and policy tools are turning climate resilience in housing into investable opportunities for cities and private capital.

Despite ocean industries generating $2.5 trillion annually, capital inflows remain limited. This panel tackles investor misconceptions — from “too risky” and “too fragmented” to “it’s all grants” — and shows how leaders are already proving them wrong.

A panel exploring how cultural, geographical, and policy diversity shapes Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) in smart cities. Featuring transport planners, policymakers, and CCAM developers, the discussion shares practical examples from Europe.

How are governments up to date with technological innovations to improve public services and government efficiency? Are governments into the digital transformation to make their services more accessible, and user-friendly?

How do green spaces in cities contribute to improving the quality of life, enhance biodiversity, and fostering community engagement and physical well-being?

In what ways is technology driving innovation in urban design practices? How are digital tools shaping the design process for buildings, infrastructures, and cities?

How are the cities raising their voice on the Global atmosphere? In an unstable world, can cities take part in the fight to preserve democratic values?

How can AI enhance decision-making in smart cities while ensuring ethical and unbiased outcomes? What role do AI technologies play in optimizing public services in the cities of the future?

EIT Urban Mobility and the International Transport Forum will organise a foresight workshop to anticipate future trends of relevance in the mobility sector, based on input from the public and private sectors

From offshore renewables and aquaculture to ocean biotech, data, and nature-tech, this session explores which blue sectors are attracting real momentum — and what makes them bankable at scale.

TBC

From public guarantees to social enterprise vehicles, new models are mobilizing private capital for housing and urban infrastructure while advancing public goals. This session convenes investors, governments, and corporations to co-create finance structures that scale innovation and meet social needs. Panelists will explore catalytic capital, loan funds, and enterprises that align incentives, cut risk, preserve affordability, and embed equity.

Shared mobility is reshaping how people move, offering flexibility, convenience, and sustainability. This session explores how services like ridesharing, MaaS, and demand-responsive transport are influencing mobility systems—and what this means for users, providers, and cities. How are shared mobility services transforming the way people move in urban and suburban environments? What challenges do they face in integrating with existing mobility systems?

What will define mobility in the next ten years? This forward-looking session brings together senior decision-makers to discuss transformative trends that will shape the transport systems of tomorrow. As digital and sustainable technologies converge, the panel will explore how to navigate innovation, scale impact, and build adaptable mobility systems fit for the future.

In this session we will 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 recent addition of new partners. 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.

TBC

Explore how geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and changing trade patterns are affecting port operations worldwide. Panelists will discuss strategies for resilience, risk mitigation, and agility in uncertain markets.

Productive, Smart and Connected is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Mobility & Transport, Strategic Sectors, Urban Innovation, and Agri-food.

Green and Clean is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Clean Energy, Blue Economy, Circular Economy, and Climate Adaptation.

Just and Inclusive is a closed IURC thematic session with mandatory attendance for assigned participants. Cities and regions will join one of 11 clusters (90 mins in 3 rooms) based on thematic networks: PORTICO (cities) and S3 Platforms (regions). Topics include Urban Regeneration, Affordable Housing, Industrial Modernisation, and Civic Participation.

Why isn’t the ocean part of mainstream portfolios? This session examines the disconnect between capital markets and ocean sectors, and highlights the products, metrics, and regulatory tools needed to unlock institutional flows.

In this session, a startup pitch competition will take place.

Legal foundation in place, LDT CitiVERSE EDIC takes its first steps. Its mission to create a harmonized ecosystem around Digital Twins has already officially started with the establishment of the legal entity and with the recently launched BUILD project as a driving force for the setting up

With 14 members states on board the LDT CitiVERSE EDIC becomes a reality as the foundation for intelligent, sustainable and human-centric urban environments.

Explore how local governments are scaling partnerships across Europe through a unique digital tool. This session will offer valuable insights, practical examples, and networking opportunities for municipalities and stakeholders looking to enhance cooperation, access funding, and build impactful, cross-border projects.

This event will explore how the principles and enablers of the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, which span from shared prosperity, to data and smart cities services, governance, and regulation, etc., can be applied to foster access to adequate housing and basic services in cities globally.

Barcelona will be the World Capital of Architecture in 2026. Over the course of ten months, and through activities held across the city’s ten districts, a diverse, open, and participatory program will bring architecture, urban planning, and landscape design closer to all citizens. This session aims to show how these disciplines improve everyday life and can help address global challenges through first-hand insights from leading experts.

This session will explore how 5G is transforming port ecosystems. Experts will discuss real-world use cases, including real-time monitoring, autonomous operations, and enhanced communication systems, and highlight the role of ultra-low latency in improving efficiency and safety.

Climate change poses significant challenges to mobility and according to the EIT Urban Mobility report "Costs & Benefits of the Urban Mobility Transition," public transport is the most cost-effective method of decreasing urban emissions. The panel that includes public transport operators and other relevant actors will explore how innovation in public transport can contribute to achieving the EU's target of climate neutrality by 2050.

As the climate crisis intensifies, urban leaders are under increasing pressure to play a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of climate change by implementing innovative practices, advancing sustainable energy strategies, and adopting climate-smart practices. How are cities leading solutions that confront the escalating consequences of the climate emergency, balancing environmental responsibility, city living, and economic vitality?

Blended finance is proving key to mobilising private capital. Explore how public-private structures, philanthropic cushions, and real-world examples are helping early-stage and large-scale ocean projects secure funding.

This session emphasises the crucial role of road safety engineering in tackling the global crash crisis, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s Second Decade of Action. It explores safe infrastructure, road audits, inspections and the Safe System approach, while advocating stronger institutions, professionalisation of auditors, and international standards, especially in LMIC's. Note that this session will be delivered in English.

Mobility data has become a cornerstone of intelligent transport systems. This session explores how digital tools—from AI to data spaces—can enable smarter mobility while also addressing challenges around privacy, integration, and infrastructure. How can mobility data, supported by AI, blockchain, and digital infrastructure, enhance the efficiency and security of transport systems? What are the main enablers and barriers?

Launched in March 2025, MICAD is an EU-funded project supporting inclusive metropolitan planning for climate and digital transitions. This session will present its goals, approach, and main outputs—including toolkits and Roadmaps—and invite participants to share feedback to help refine and adapt the project.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it is central to how governments rethink, rebuild, and deliver essential services. This session will highlight how AI is transforming public infrastructure across major American cities, showcasing real-world applications that improve efficiency, responsiveness, and equity.

Discover how virtual worlds and federated AI agents are transforming the way cities are designed, governed, and experienced. This session explores the emerging "Citiverse" — a next-generation digital ecosystem empowering inclusive, data-driven, and participatory urban transformation.

How can cities integrate climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and smart infrastructure for long-term resilience? What role do technology and community engagement play in sustainable urban growth?

The world is changing fast. Generational shifts, AI and new tech are redefining life and work - with cities as living labs of innovation. In her light-hearted yet insightful style, futurist Nikki Greenberg reveals what 2050 could look like, sharing global examples of tech transforming cities. Expect energy, vision and strategies to build future-ready, human-centered and inspiring places.

Many transport innovations are coming our way. We don't know which ones will stay and which ones will be next, but we do know that the majority will be rolled out on city streets. How can cities smartly choose those innovations that will help them reach their policy goals, but also discourage those that don’t bring added value? What does it take for private-sector innovations to support rather than disrupt what local authorities want to achieve? How can we come to policy-responsive innovation that is a win for both the public and private sectors? Cities and regions from the POLIS network will share their experiences on how to govern innovation but also innovate their governance systems.

Next-generation technologies are reshaping how we design, build, and live in our cities. From digital tools and AI to virtual reality and advanced construction methods, emerging innovations are revolutionizing urban planning and development. How do these technologies offer new pathways to create more efficient, building-adaptive, and future-ready urban environments?

GCoM, the largest global alliance of cities fighting climate change, will showcase success stories of climate action worldwide, including smart mobility in Shimla (India), floating infrastructure for sea-level rise in Belize City, and waste-to-biogas projects in Basse and Sekondi-Takoradi (Ghana). It will also launch its 2025 Impact Report highlighting implementation progress.

Alliance of European Mayors and Better Politics Foundation co-produced a documentary on innovation in European cities, spotlighted mayors and cities that are pioneering new approaches to democratic resilience, digital transformation, and citizen engagement. Outstanding mayors from cities such as Stockholm, Bologna and Lisbon participates in this powerful story of how local leadership is reshaping democracy from the ground up.

This session will discuss the effect of online tools (mis)use on citizen trust and participation in democracy, as well as strategies to counter misinformation and to promote digital media literacy. On the background of the EU Democracy Shield initiative, cities will exchange their experiences and discuss approaches to better respond to threats, and to continue enabling citizen participation in offline and online spaces.

DRT proves to be an effective solution in contexts such as low-density areas or late-night services. But scaling remains complex - profitability, regulation, and public-private contracting all pose challenges. Could autonomous vehicles help unlock the full potential of DRT, or do they add new layers of complexity to this model?

Family offices and private wealth managers are entering the blue economy as a new legacy play. This session showcases how next-gen capital is moving into ocean-positive strategies and what they look for in opportunities.

As the maritime sector becomes more digitised, ports in Europe, the United States and Asia are adopting smart technologies - AI, IoT, digital twins and autonomous systems - that create enormous efficiencies but also introduce new vulnerabilities. In this panel, experts will share regional and cross-continental strategies to protect critical port infrastructure from cyber threats that can cripple global supply chains.

In this session, a startup pitch competition will take place.

How do we advance urban regeneration to create green and thriving neighbourhoods? This session will explore practical strategies for uniting finance, public action, and community voices to shape vibrant, sustainable places for all. Hear insights from industry leaders on innovative financing and partnership models, and learn from city officials about successful land revitalisation projects and how they engaged students in the design process.

This session emphasises the crucial role of road safety engineering in tackling the global crash crisis, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s Second Decade of Action. It explores safe infrastructure, road audits, inspections and the Safe System approach, while advocating stronger institutions, professionalisation of auditors, and international standards, especially in LMIC's. Note that this session will be delivered in Spanish.

Commuting habits have a major impact on urban sustainability. This panel looks at how corporate mobility programs, integrated networks, and behavioural nudges can create greener, more efficient daily travel options for all. How can corporate mobility programs and integrated transport networks lead to more sustainable commuting? What roles do mobility infrastructure and nudging play in creating seamless and sustainable commuting options?

Tradable blue carbon and biodiversity credits are on the rise. This session explores emerging asset classes, verification systems, and the digital tools making nature-based solutions investable at scale.

Leading ports share their experiences and breakthroughs on the road to toward zero emissions. Learn about green energy integration, emission reduction technologies, and what it really takes to become a net-zero port in practice.

This co-organized session between CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and Smart City Expo World Congress will bring together regional leaders to share lessons, challenges, and solutions in urban digital transformation. It will highlight best practices in strategic planning, digital government, enabling technologies, mobility,and more, showcasing how the region drives innovative, scalable, and sustainable smart city practices.

What innovative strategies and technologies are being implemented to reduce waste and promote circularity in urban resource management?

Enabling technologies offer transformative potential for how cities function and how we live within them. From anticipating future dynamics to optimizing public services and enhancing connectivity, these innovations are key drivers of resilient smart city development. How we boost this potential to maximize efficiency in urban systems design and management, and the everyday experience of city life, will define what cities look like in the upcoming years.

Discover the latest innovations and implementations of shore power systems (cold ironing). Experts will discuss infrastructure readiness, policy incentives, and how electrifying ships at berth is helping to reduce air pollution and improve sustainability.

How are recent technological advancements transforming the real estate industry, from development to investment and property management? What emerging trends and innovations are redefining property management, utilization, and the future of real estate?

Technological advances are reshaping daily life, while cities remain key arenas for democratic action and civic rights. In this context, technology is a powerful driver of progress and transformation, enhancing urban living. Yet this development also brings challenges such as the digital divide, misinformation, and declining trust. This session explores how cities can form alliances to defend civic rights and ensure technology serves the public good.

Which emerging disruptive technologies are poised to transform smart cities, and how can urban leaders proactively integrate them? How can the widespread adoption of enhanced connectivity drive innovation in smart cities?

How can cities create more inclusive environments that support the needs and aspirations of women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups? How can we bridge the digital gap and ensure all equitable access to technology and online resources?

This stage session reveals how standard municipal operations across Europe—from cybersecurity protocols to smart city infrastructure management—actively safeguard digital rights, often without being framed in rights-based language.

This session will explore how diverse data-driven approaches can be used to enhance road safety, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. By bringing together practical examples from EIT Urban Mobility's innovation program and broader European project collaborations, the session aims to demonstrate how mobility data can inform smarter infrastructure and enhance traffic safety for all road users.

Coastal adaptation is one of the most urgent and investable climate markets. From flood defences to floating infrastructure, explore how investors are backing resilience to turn risk into opportunity.

This closed-door session brings together public authorities within the EIT Urban Mobility network for an engaging exchange on innovation in urban mobility. Through focused thematic discussions and interactive networking, participants will explore solutions to critical challenges shaping urban mobility and identify areas where collaborative efforts can drive impactful, city-led innovation.

His panel will explore the synergies between city and port development through integrated planning and shared digital infrastructure, resilient ecosystems and collaborative public-private strategies.

This session explores how cities can manage tourism sustainably, using a resilience-based approach and data-driven tools to balance the influx of visitors and its economic benefits with the affordability and livability of their residents. UN-Habitat, UN-Tourism and partner experts will present a new global effort to help cities and territories assess tourism-related risks and their positive and undesirable impacts on the urban system.

As cities grow and digitalize, they face new and complex cybersecurity challenges that require an evolution in how we approach cyber resilience and a proactive and tailored “Cybersecurity for Cities” approach. This session will explore what "Cybersecurity for Cities" truly encompasses, questioning whether it is relevant for all or if specific approaches are needed for different types of urban environments.

What did we learn, and what’s next? A rapid-fire summary and forward-looking discussion from key voices — including what to track, who to meet, and how to stay in the dealflow.

The event will highlight specific challenges in two regions - cities in France, Grenoble and Germany, Jena and in Japan. Projects established to address key issues related to Climate and social change will be presented from the points of view of several stakeholders with a focus on the challenges, results and their potential for tackling similar issues in other urban regions.

Road traffic deaths are the most common cause of accidental death at the workplace, with an alarming, estimated number of 400,000 per year: a third of the 1.19 million people that die each year as a result of road traffic crashes occurs in someone’s value chain. The FIA developed the Road Safety Index, a program that help organizations to assess the safety impact of their operations, identify gaps, and implement long-term improvements.

UK Cities today are grappling with a perfect storm of infrastructure challenges: aging buildings, increased flooding, and rising temperatures are straining systems that were never designed for today’s climate extremes. Failing infrastructure leads to cascading impacts on people and transport systems. But how can digital infrastructure, such as data sharing infrastructure, help to tackle the environmental and social problems cities face?

This session explores how Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) can be a powerful tool to address youth exclusion and gender inequalities in a connected society. With the involvement of local authorities, CSOs, and youth actors, it will showcase solutions for inclusive digital spaces and empower local action against online violence, discrimination, and democratic disengagement.

Planning and implementation of solutions to guarantee safe, accessible and efficient parking for the daily use of bicycles in the city.

Private Smart Cities - privately owned, tech-driven urban developments - offer unique potential to accelerate innovation and create inclusive digital infrastructure while bypassing bureaucratic constraints. This panel explores the legal, technical, and civic dynamics at play in shaping these new models for urban development. Co-developed by the Intelligent Community Forum and Dentons LLP.

AI is reshaping all spheres of our live, including our cities, inside and out. The spotlight is on generative AI, which can generate original output – text, images, videos. What is its impact in the public sector? As the level closest to citizens, and as providers of many services, cities and regions can champion the responsible use of GenAI in Europe. In this session, Living-in.EU invites cities to share their experience in using GenAI.

A full-day workshop exploring the role of GTFS and NeTEX data specifications in the European context. Co-hosted by MobilityData and NAPCORE, the event will feature expert presentations, real-world use cases, and collaborative sessions to strengthen interoperability, support compliance, improve quality of service, and foster a shared vision for sustainable mobility data across Europe.

Urban logistics is a growing challenge as competition for space in cities becomes more and more pressing. This session dives into innovations (eg. New logistics concepts, automation, etc.) that can make freight and last-mile delivery more sustainable. Expect to hear about best practices and examples of how cities and companies are collaborating to solve these issues. How can sustainable logistics practices and improved fleet management reduce the carbon footprint of freight and delivery services? What impact do logistics innovations have?

The celebration of the 5th Spain-India Forum, a high-level institutional and diplomatic dialogue bringing together governmental, business, academic, and technological representatives from the sectors of both countries, is being organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation in collaboration with Barcelona City Council and Fira de Barcelona, on the occasion of the Smart City World Congress.

This joint session by RECI and Red Innpulso will showcase urban innovation and digitalization experiences with real impact on cities. It will feature a dialogue on public-private collaboration and future challenges, with participation from institutional representatives and municipal experts leading transformative projects in smart governance, mobility, green transition, and digital public services, highlighting both impacts and lessons learned.

Hear directly from c-level executives redefining leadership for the ocean economy. What does it take to move beyond “doing less harm” toward actively regenerative business models — while delivering competitive financial returns?

The world needs ocean solutions — now. Here’s why the innovation window is wide open.

This dynamic panel explores how governance and financial levers can accelerate the shift to a circular built environment. Drawing on insights from across the construction value chain, it will highlight strategies like waste prevention and secondary material markets, and examine how EU policies such as Construction Products Regulation and Green Public Procurement along with skills and capacity-building, can drive systemic change.

Cities face a growing gap in housing needs, aging infrastructure, and persistent social inequalities. As affordability declines, innovative approaches to building and urban development are essential. This session will focus on centering equity in urban development by reimagining construction methods, housing policies, and design strategies to create sustainable, resilient, equitable, and accessible homes for all.

The results from the first phase of the "Transport Cultural" project will be presented during the session. Transport Cultural aims to promote the autonomy of people in vulnerable situations or at risk of social exclusion, facilitating their access to culture through on-demand transport. The project has been led by In Move and RETURN, with the support of other shareholders, including Cinesi, App & Town, Bable, Apropa Cultura, and Tandem Social.

Invisible Pollution: Tackling Non-Exhaust Emissions in Urban Mobility sheds light on the often-overlooked problem of particles from brakes, tyres, and road wear. It explores potential policy measures and technological solutions to reduce these emissions and improve urban air quality.

How can cities guarantee the best living conditions for their citizens? In what ways can urban planning strategies promote equitable access to resources public amenities for all citizens?

Five years remain to achieve the Paris Agreement goals—what progress has been made, and what still needs to be done? Following the global stocktake at COP29, how are cities planning mid- and long-term strategies to advance climate action?

From green corridors and electrified terminals to alternative fuels and regulatory shifts, this session explores the leaders driving maritime decarbonization — and the barriers holding others back. What strategies are working, what missteps to avoid, and what the future demands of port and shipping actors.

A rapid-fire showcase of start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.

How have digital tools improved construction accuracy and reduced costs? What challenges and best practices shape successful digital transformation in the industry?

Autonomous technologies are rapidly advancing, with the potential to revolutionise public transport. From buses to rail, this panel will examine how automation, AI, and connected systems are redefining the future of public transport. To what extent can autonomous and connected vehicle technologies enhance the efficiency, safety, and accessibility of public transport systems? What needs to change for their widespread adoption?

This roundtable will focus on fostering dialogue between the representatives of Central and Eastern European (CEE) cities. By encouraging mutual learning and strengthening regional networks, the roundtable seeks to enhance the strategic capacity of CEE cities and amplify their voices in broader European and international stages.

How is the convergence of enabling technologies with sustainability bringing new depth to the green transformation of our cities? This session will explore how smart solutions, such as IoT, AI, renewable energy systems, and cleantech, are redefining what the future of resilient urban living can look like. As cities strive to become more sustainable, tech innovators are stepping up to accelerate the transition toward a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.

How are the latest technological innovations transforming urban safety and resilience? What strategies could foster cybersecurity innovation while maintaining public trust?

Dive into the dynamic world of Urban Shark Tank, where visionary companies pitch real-world solutions to a panel of city leaders determined to accelerate climate neutrality. This interactive session blends entrepreneurial spirit, creative storytelling, and urban innovation—offering a fast-paced stage for ideas ready to scale across smart, sustainable cities.

Discover how Barcelona, the first city selected to host a UNESCO Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre (DCC), is at the forefront of advancing a sustainable blue economy worldwide. This roundtable will unveil the strategic pillars of the new DCC, showcase its key activities, and explore its potential impact within the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Seaweed, aquaculture, and alternative seafood are critical for global food security. How can we scale blue food systems while protecting biodiversity, ensuring traceability, and supporting equitable growth across the value chain?

This interactive panel unites living-lab leaders from the United States, Finland, Japan and Canada to reveal how cross-border partnerships turbo-charge smart-city innovation. Through rapidfire case studies and audience Q&A, speakers share proventactics for launching, funding and scaling technology pilots,navigating regulation and turning data-driven trials into full-city deployments.

This session explores how pioneering cities are turning ambition into action anchored by the Climate City Contract (CCC), the Mission’s flagship instrument for aligning governance, finance, delivery, and public legitimacy.

This session will showcase the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) as a platform for fostering collaboration and partnerships between cities in the Arab and European regions. Building on its debut in Riyadh, the session seeks to maintain momentum and set the stage for the next edition in Madrid in 2027. It will highlight the importance of urban diplomacy and the role of dialogue on urban innovation in addressing shared challenges.

This stage 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.

Much of the discussion around promoting active mobility has centred on cities and their infrastructure networks. While creating safe and connected routes for cycling is crucial, barriers such as theft, repair, and planning continue to limit uptake and demand innovative solutions from the private sector. This session will highlight the different factors and stakeholders that help to drive the shift toward active travel modes in urban areas.

Discover real opportunities to collaborate with cities shaping the future. Learn about urban challenges and how municipalities are seeking innovative partners through open innovation labs, pilot programs, and advanced public procurement. A unique chance for companies to co-create solutions and take part in building the smart cities of tomorrow.

As global tensions and inequalities deepen, the role of cities as spaces for opportunity becomes essential. By embracing forward-thinking policies and a strong focus on wellbeing, governments are advancing towards fostering cities where individuals and communities can truly thrive. Smart cities, guided by inclusive governance and the responsible use of emerging technologies, can guarantee access to essential resources and become powerful engines for prosperity and fulfilling urban life.

A rapid-fire showcase of start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.

From seaweed cultivation to alkalinity enhancement, marine carbon removal could be critical to climate goals. This session unpacks the promise, pitfalls, and funding needs of ocean-based carbon solutions.

How can policymakers, urban planners, and tech innovators collaborate to create scalable, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions for growing cities? What technologies and strategies show the most promise in tackling the housing crisis?

Safety remains a top priority as cities evolve their mobility systems and last-mile solutions. This session explores how technology and planning can work together to reduce accidents and create safer streets for all. It offers a platform to share best practices in monitoring safety and coming up with realistic solutions for drivers and public transport. How can innovation, technologies, and behaviour change improve road safety and reduce accidents in urban environments? What impact do these solutions have in creating safer, more efficient, and people-friendly cities?

TBC

Europe’s cities lead the just and green transition with their exemplary action. This session will explore how cities can lead the way in sustainable development by integrating clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive policies. It will also highlight the roles of urban initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors, the Green City Accord, the Smart Cities Marketplace, and the Horizon Europe Missions in advancing urban transformation.

Did you know that public procurement represents 14% of the EU’s GDP (around €2 trillion annually)? Discover how the ProcuraMED project is empowering local authorities to inspire sustainable change. This session will showcase digital tools, capacity-building actions, real-life cases and cooperation strategies driving innovative and green procurement.

How can cities better manage heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and rapid urban growth? This session showcases how Earth Observation brings actionable insights for crisis management, public health, climate adaptation and sustainable urban planning. Discover and hear from our users and data providers about ready-to-use market solutions where data from space helps cities protect citizens, plan smarter and boost resilience.

This conversation explores how AI, data integration, and emerging technologies are transforming city management—from predictive safety and digital housing aid to smart mobility and infrastructure. U.S. mayors will share lessons and priorities for scalable, inclusive solutions that strengthen efficiency, equity, and resilience.

This congress session examines the escalating challenges disinformation poses to democratic processes worldwide, with particular focus on the local level. Experts will analyze recent disinformation campaigns that have disrupted local governance, explore technological and policy-based countermeasures being implemented by leading cities.

Curious about the results of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects?
Come to the CIVITAS AGORA and discover five innovative urban mobility solutions created through these EU-funded initiatives. Each will be presented in an engaging pitch format, followed by opportunities to connect with cities and technology providers.

In a volatile environment, resilient and high-quality mobility systems are more important than ever. This session will explore how technological, regulatory, and social innovations can build more inclusive and adaptive networks. Expect thought-provoking insights on how to transition mobility systems towards greater social equity, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

Bi-annual regular meeting for members of EIT Urban Mobility's City Club Advisory Group.

It’s time to tackle pollution upstream, not just clean up the mess. From circular materials and producer responsibility to startups tackling ghost gear and microplastics, what scalable solutions can eliminate waste flows?

Offshore wind is booming but so are demands for biodiversity and fisheries protection. This session explores real-world strategies for marine spatial planning to balance energy, nature, and livelihoods.

What role do new energy models play in shaping the urban fabric and dynamics of cities as they strive toward decarbonization? What alternative energy sources are real clean solutions for the increasing power demand?

What are green urban economies and how can cities harvest the opportunities they offer? Why is involving stakeholders crucial in this process? During this session you will discover five stories from URBACT's networks of cities (EcoCore, In4Green, Let’s Go Circular!, COPE, and GreenPlace) and learn about their entry points to a successful green urban economy. Come and get inspired to start your journey towards greening your city's economy!

What are the potential, limitations, and challenges of embedding this disruptive technology in day-to-day city life? What can be expected of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

This is the Ceremony that follows "The Smart Deal Pitch."

How does digital transformation enhance citizen participation while ensuring data transparency and security? How can we guide behavior in the digital world and secure our digital rights?

The Closing Plenary (Mandatory Participation) will showcase the key outcomes of the Thematic Breakout Sessions, highlighting key insights and results from the 11 thematic clusters. It will bring together all participants to reflect on shared learnings and reinforce future cooperation across regions and cities.

Electrification is critical—but is it the full answer to zero-pollution mobility? This panel looks at recent achievements and gaps in the roll out of zero-emission vehicles and charging infrastructure, and takes a broader look at mobility-related pollution - beyond exhaust emissions - towards truly zero-emission transport systems. What can decision-makers and mobility stakeholders do to reach the zero-pollution ambition? How can public and private interests be best aligned? What solutions are already available, and what areas still require more research and development?

The workshop is designed to support cities in integrating new cooperative, co-created shared mobility models into their SUMP planning process based on the learnings from the HORIZON SUM project. Participants will receive training on SUMP development, listen to SUMP best practices from POLIS members, and learn how to implement the different cooperative, co-created shared mobility business models researched by the project.

A rapid-fire showcase of 9-10 start-ups and scale-ups driving innovation across the blue economy.

As cities worldwide race to become "smart," we face a crucial question: Are we creating cities optimized for technology, or cities designed for human flourishing? In this visionary keynote, Kate O'Neill—the pioneering Tech Humanist and advisor to organizations from the City of Amsterdam to Google to the United Nations—explores how smart cities can move beyond technological novelty to create meaningful human experiences at scale. Through compelling case studies and cross-domain insights, Kate shows how city leaders can make technology decisions that bridge the digital divide, foster inclusive communities, and create meaningful experiences for all citizens. 

Audiences will gain practical frameworks for evaluating technology investments based on meaningful human outcomes, ensuring digital infrastructure bridges rather than widens the digital divide, and fostering community connections alongside technological advancement.

Sensors, satellites, AI, and blockchain are transforming our view of the ocean. Who will control this “Internet of the Sea” — and how can data be used to drive conservation, transparency, and better governance?

How can we finance projects to reach sustainable goals? How important is it to work on cross-sector collaboration to move forward on financing?

How is the building sector aligning its practices with the sustainability initiatives of cities? In what ways can the built environment play a role in mitigating climate change?

A high-level roundtable bringing together industry leaders, technology providers and users to explore the current state and future of U-space. The session will combine strategic insights with real-world success stories, showcasing how drones and enabling technologies are transforming urban airspace management, advanced air mobility, and smart city services.

Cities face complex security challenges across both physical and digital spaces. As technologies like AI integrate into urban life, issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and public space safety demand creative, human-centered solutions. Thoughtful approaches to urban security, rooted in trust, ethics, and equity, are essential to maintain public confidence and ensure safe, inclusive cities. How can cities rethink security to protect people without compromising their rights?

Barcelona is strengthening its role as a leading hub for the blue economy by attracting global investment and talent through strategic initiatives and a dynamic innovation ecosystem. This round table will explore how the city appeals to the global blue economy and the opportunities it offers for growth, collaboration, and impact.

This session will focus use cases of AI specifically tailored to operational needs of Cities. It begins with a session on "Building an AI-enabled Smart City Toolkit." The session will demonstrate the practical use of AI for prioritizing investments as part of the Smart City Toolkit. The remaining time will delve deeper into how AI can be leveraged to enhance service delivery in Cities.

Closing with vision, this session brings together future thinkers to imagine the ocean in 2040. What innovations, policies, and cultural shifts will define the next two decades of ocean sustainability?

This space will address the current state of progress of the data spaces that will help drive a data economy thanks to the advancement of digitization of local authorities

Urban logistics is at a tipping point, with last-mile deliveries driving up emissions. Micro-depots and connected fleets offer smarter, cleaner solutions—enabling multimodal delivery and data-driven operations. This session explores how real-time vehicle data, micro-hubs, and the emerging Physical Internet can improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and reshape last-mile logistics in cities worldwide.

This roundtable brings together cities from five continents that are at different stages in building metropolitan cooperation—some with decades of experience, others taking their first steps. Their diversity offers a unique opportunity for mutual learning. How can we create flexible, inclusive, and effective governance frameworks that foster coordinated responses in fragmented urban territories?

The panel session will focus on identifying gaps in addressing global sustainability & resilience challenges particularly related to climate crisis and natural disasters faced by our cities. The panelists will also be asked to share their ideas and experiences regarding the use of innovative governance practices and technologies to address these challenges.

As cities seek greater resilience, livability, vibrancy and unique identity, outdated planning rules often hold them back. The session reveals a new approach: form-based codes, or visual design standards that focus on the look, feel, and quality of streets and neighborhoods, rather than just land use. Discover how city leaders, planners, developers, and citizens collaborate to create vibrant places and more predictable, attractive investments.

Join us in celebrating the most innovative and impactful initiatives shaping the future of urban living. The World Smart City Awards recognize pioneering projects, visionary leaders, and transformative strategies that are driving progress in cities around the globe. This ceremony is a tribute to excellence, creativity, and collaboration in building smarter, more sustainable urban environments.

European cities strive to become more inclusive and equitable on one hand and smart and data-driven on the other. However, gaps in data collection and analysis can overlook the diverse needs of citizens groups. This session explores how using gender-disaggregated data can help design more inclusive urban spaces and mobility infrastructure.

Logistics operations are rarely planned with a smart perspective. This event explores how digitalisation and new technologies are transforming freight, an often-overlooked yet essential sector. Through real cases and dialogue, we’ll show how “smart” starts in everyday logistics — driving efficiency, resilience, and impact, turning freight into something almost futuristic.

Discover Metabuilding, the pan-European initiative accelerating innovation in the construction sector. This session unveils a powerful ecosystem designed to connect SMEs, researchers, and industry leaders. We will explore our Metabuilding Labs Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB), the metabuilding.com digital platform, and the new business opportunities it creates, inviting you to join us in shaping the future of building.

Public space is one of a city’s most valuable resources. This discussion looks at how smart mobility planning, for instance with mobility hubs and active travel promotion, can make better use of space while improving health, accessibility, and urban life. What role do urban mobility planning, including smart parking, transport hubs, and placemaking, play in shaping urban environments that prioritise both functionality and quality of life for residents and visitors?

This event will bring together city authorities, business associations, SMEs, academia and other experts to explore policies and innovative solutions that help SMEs better prepare for and adapt to disaster risks. Interactive discussions will focus on SMEs' role as users and producers of essential services, access to finance and insurance, risk-informed business models, and leveraging technologies and PPPs for improving their disaster resilience.

The ocean economy is booming but not fast enough to meet climate and biodiversity goals. What will it take to move from pilots and projects to system-wide deployment and investment?

From cities and climate to capital and coastlines — ocean innovation is reshaping how we build, live, and invest.

Traditional metrics no longer capture the complexity of today's urban mobility ecosystems. This session challenges current success indicators and explores how both public authorities and private actors can adopt broader metrics. From intelligent traffic signals to employer-led mobility programmes, we’ll discuss how to redefine value and how new measurements can unlock better solutions for sustainable, inclusive cities.

How can cities use data analytics to anticipate future dynamics and ensure long-term resilience? What role does data play in enabling accurate predictions and effective city planning?

Coastal cities are stepping up as blue economy leaders. From resilient infrastructure to ocean-positive investments, which city-led initiatives are shaping the next generation of ocean hubs?

How do the cities envision their economic future? How are governments forecasting their sustainable growth? How are they working on looking for new economic drivers?

How do urban policies and practices contribute to caring for citizens and promoting a healthier, more equitable quality of life? In what ways can cities promote well-being as a foundation for thriving communities?

How can innovation in large-scale infrastructures ensure adaptability to evolving urban needs? What cutting-edge technologies and design strategies can enhance the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of major city infrastructures?

What strategies are cities implementing to adapt to climate change? Are cities prioritizing green solutions when mitigating climate change effects or restoring urban environments after a natural catastrophe?