Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Smart city projects shift focus from technology to results
Barcelona’s Smart City Expo runs from November 3 to 5, bringing together about 1,000 cities, more than 1,100 exhibitors and 600 speakers.
Since the event began in 2011, the smart-city sector has moved from showcasing technology to putting solutions to urban problems into practice.
The field now covers mobility, energy, governance and housing, as well as infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence could help cities manage traffic, protect critical infrastructure and provide services by analysing large amounts of data and anticipating problems.
A central challenge is showing that technology investments deliver measurable benefits, such as saving resources and improving public services.
The event will also connect investors with start-ups, as organisers say public budgets alone will not fund cities’ transformation.
Housing sessions will examine regulation, affordable homes and construction, while speakers note that technology alone cannot increase the housing supply; the event aims to help turn shared ideas into policies and projects.
The smart city sector is shifting from showcasing technology to applying solutions to urban problems.
The Smart City Expo World Congress will take place in Barcelona from November 3 to 5.
Organizers expect 1,000 cities, more than 27,000 attendees, 1,100 exhibitors and 600 speakers.
The event aims to connect public administrations, companies and investors and promote projects with measurable results.
The sector now covers areas including mobility, energy, governance and housing, as well as infrastructure.
- Who
- The Smart City Expo World Congress, organized by Fira de Barcelona, will bring together cities, companies, public administrations and investors.
- What
- The event will focus on applying smart city solutions to urban problems and achieving measurable results.
- When
- November 3 to 5. The year is not stated in the article text.
- Where
- The Gran Via exhibition center in Barcelona.
- Why
- To connect administrations, companies and investors and help advance smart city projects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The congress began with 6,000 participants and just over 50 cities.
The 15th Smart City Expo World Congress is scheduled to take place at the Gran Via exhibition center in Barcelona.
- Expected participating cities
- 1,000
- Expected attendees
- More than 27,000
- Expected exhibitors
- 1,100
- Expected speakers
- 600
- First congress
- 2011: 6,000 participants and just over 50 cities
What people are saying
Technology is a tool and not an end.
Its profitability is measured in resource savings, service efficiency and quality of life, and not only in euros.
It needs land, appropriate regulation and public-private collaboration.