Track: Infrastructure & Building

Welcome to the 2025 edition of our events – the global stage where urban innovation comes to life.

This opening session sets the tone for an exciting journey ahead, with a warm welcome from Smart City Expo director Ugo Valenti and Tomorrow.Mobility president Marc Rozendal. Joining them are high-level representatives who will share how territories around the world are transforming the way we live, move, and build. Get ready to explore bold ideas and groundbreaking strategies.

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

Technology is revolutionizing urban design, blending AI, virtual reality, and immersive tools to redefine how buildings, infrastructure, and cities are created. Explore how digital innovation is transforming design processes, enabling smarter, more efficient, and visionary urban spaces. What new possibilities are emerging at the intersection of design and technology?

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.

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.

SAUR presents BlueSphere, its new global model for sustainable, resilient, and intelligent water management of the future. The initiative connects digitalization, efficiency, equity, and transparency to create and share value with communities. Through AI, Smart Asset Management, and real-time governance, SAUR enhances resilient infrastructure, performance, and sustainability. With projects like Emalsa, Vannes, and a new contract in Doha, SAUR reinforces its ambition to lead the global water transition toward a resilient, circular future.

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?

Integrating climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and smart infrastructure is essential for building resilient cities. Combining technology with community engagement drives sustainable urban growth and adaptive architecture. How can these strategies come together to create cities that not only survive but thrive amid future challenges?

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 will explore how Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twin technologies can be applied across the entire AECO and urban project lifecycle, from strategic and integrated planning to design, smart construction and smart mobility, showcasing real case studies and innovative projects developed within the ZIGURAT Master’s in Global Smart City Management.

How can cities reinvent the way they are designed, built, and lived in? From rethinking infrastructures and housing to driving sustainable building practices and resilient planning, innovation is reshaping the fabric of urban life. This session will spotlight new and innovative approaches that are transforming construction and development, unlocking smarter, greener and more adaptable cities for the future.

A truly intelligent city is a well-designed one—where every space, infrastructure, and function is optimized with a focus on resource efficiency and resilience. This conference aims to broaden the Smart City paradigm by embracing complementary approaches, combining high-tech and low-tech innovations, leveraging local stakeholders and existing strengths, promoting responsible resource use, and making the most of the existing urban fabric.

Fast-paced and inspiring, this session brings together universities and research centers to the stage. Each organization gives a 10 minute presentation about their cutting-edge projects, revealing emerging discoveries, and exploring how their work is shaping the future of smart cities.

Technological solutions for buildings and urban infrastructures to enhance performance and adaptive capacity in response to climate change impacts, including temperature rise and extreme weather phenomena.

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.

Urban design profoundly affects wellbeing and social connection. However, standardized metrics often overlook local cultural and contextual nuances, such as climate or inequality, which shape urban experiences. The Norman Foster Institute (NFI) develops participatory methodologies to create wellbeing indicators tailored to each city, guiding practical urban design strategies that respond to communities’ real needs and priorities.

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

Securing buy-in into citywide transformation requires compelling stories that inspire citizens, planners and funders with a vision of potential future possibilities. Advances in technology such as digital twins, simulation and AI can produce interactive visualisations that can unlock better conversations that ultimately lead to better decisions. Through real city examples, KPMG and Augment City will show the art of the possible to unlock the insights in your data and help decision makers reach clarity and consensus.

From digital twin ecosystems and AI-driven planning platforms to parcel intelligence, radar sensors, immersive installations, and sustainable foundations, these startups are reshaping how we design, monitor, and build cities. Explore technologies that streamline approvals, optimize infrastructure, engage citizens, and enable innovative, resilient, and eco-friendly urban futures.

How are digital tools revolutionizing construction in the cities of tomorrow? By integrating AI, BIM, and digital twins, the industry is transforming building design and execution. Exploring challenges and best practices reveals how digital innovation is reshaping construction into a smarter, more precise, and sustainable process.

Urban growth presents complex challenges in ensuring that all residents can live in safe, inclusive, and thriving communities. In this session, Orna Rosenfeld will share insights from her international work on housing and urban development, exploring the social, economic, and policy dimensions that shape city life. With a broad perspective on urban growth, she will highlight the opportunities and challenges in creating equitable, resilient, and vibrant cities for everyone.

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?

Washington Fajardo will discuss how Latin American cities — in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) — are pioneering solutions to the housing crisis through innovation, technology, and cross-sector partnerships. The session highlights scalable, inclusive, and sustainable housing models, showing how regulatory innovation and public-private collaboration drive resilience, social inclusion, and equitable, human-centered urban transformation.

As urban populations grow, the need for affordable, scalable, and sustainable housing is more urgent than ever. From modular construction to smart housing and regulatory innovation, new approaches are reshaping how cities house their residents. How can cross-sector collaboration turn these innovations into lasting, inclusive solutions?

Exploring innovative urban solutions that strengthen resilience and sustainability while addressing climate, demographic, geopolitical and economic pressures. Beyond technical approaches, this session highlights new governance, social, and financial models that reduce environmental impact, foster circularity, and create inclusive, livable, and future-ready cities.

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?

Discover a smart buildings platform that utilizes integrated AI solutions and advanced analytics to drive real decarbonization. We will explore the innovation behind smart asset management, how it improves interoperability between modules, and maximizes energy efficiency. Ultimately, this framework provides a clear path to zero-emission building operation and measurable climate impact.

How can the building sector drive climate action and align with city sustainability goals? By embracing energy efficiency and zero-emission designs, the built environment becomes a powerful tool for mitigating climate change. This session explores how green buildings are not just structures but vital contributors to healthier, more sustainable urban futures.

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.

A relaxed moment to have a drink and mingle with other attendees at the venue’s main entrance after the World Smart City Awards gala.

AccesS seeks to create barrier-free environments and optimise energy use in smart buildings and cities, setting new standards for accessibility and sustainability. REN+HOMES aims to develop a universal method for positive energy homes and districts, based on 23 solutions. The workshop shows how adopting digital tools can advance energy conservation and support cities in transitioning to climate neutrality, accessibility, and inclusion.

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.

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?

Urban resilience and accessibility are increasingly interconnected in creating cities where people thrive. Thoughtful urban design can produce spaces that are both adaptable to change and welcoming to all, where aesthetics and functionality come together to enhance community wellbeing. This session will explore how the design and visual quality of urban spaces influence resilience, inclusivity, accessibility, and the overall quality of everyday life.

Innovation in large-scale infrastructures is key to creating safer, more sustainable, and efficient urban facilities—from hospitals to community centers. By leveraging advanced technologies and smart design, cities can build resilience and better serve evolving needs. How can these innovations ensure infrastructures adapt to the future of urban living?

Fast-paced and inspiring, this session brings together universities and research centers to the stage. Each organization gives a 10 minute presentation about their cutting-edge projects, revealing emerging discoveries, and exploring how their work is shaping the future of smart cities.

The talk presents new tools from Digital City Science @ HafenCity University in support of resilience-oriented urban planning. Federating established approaches in resilience research, plus adding new dimensions like “cities under military conflict”, the presented instruments enable the assessment of urban vulnerability, robustness, and preparedness for disaster.

What are the key strategies for retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructure for energy efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancement? How can cities preserve cultural heritage within this framework?

This keynote delivers how AI is reshaping smart cities through innovation in mobility, sustainability, and citizen experience, highlighting S. Korea's leadership in redefining urban futures and inspiring inclusive, technology-driven growth for the next generation of global cities.

How do simulation technologies improve decision-making and urban system efficiency through digital modeling? How can digital twins optimize city infrastructure and services?

Three cities – one vision: Through Connected Urban Twins, Hamburg, Munich, and Leipzig are developing digital twins to shape urban transformation in a data-driven, transparent, and participatory way. This presentation will highlight the most important results of the final project year and provide a forward-looking perspective on how digital twins can be embedded into municipal structures and continuously developed – with the goal of using data strategically to support the socio-ecological transformation of urban spaces.

How can cities retrofit aging buildings and infrastructure to boost energy efficiency and sustainability while preserving cultural heritage? By integrating renewable technologies and careful refurbishing, urban areas can evolve sustainably without losing their identity. Discover how this balance transforms legacy structures into leading-edge, future-ready assets.

Through simulation technologies and digital twins, urban systems gain real-time insights that enhance decision-making and optimize infrastructure and services. This session explores how this approach enables cities to predict challenges, improve efficiency, and build smarter, more responsive urban environments for the future.

Today, as cities face their challenges, Digital Twins & AI are everywhere. Digital Twins deliver better prescriptions and greater efficiency and sustainability. AI brings data-driven decisions and uncovers hidden patterns, but also raises challenges in ethics, bias, and transparency. How can we ethically and sustainably combine Digital Twins & AI to maximize their synergies?

Today, as cities face their challenges, Digital Twins & AI are everywhere. Digital Twins deliver better prescriptions and greater efficiency and sustainability. AI brings data-driven decisions and uncovers hidden patterns, but also raises challenges in ethics, bias, and transparency. How can we ethically and sustainably combine Digital Twins & AI to maximize their synergies?