Barcelona has already become the global meeting point for smart cities. And this through Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), organized by Barcelona Fair and that will open its doors from the 7th to the 9th of this month, with the participation of Airbnb or the FC Barcelonaamong other organizations, companies and experts who will debate the challenges of the coming years in cities.
This 2023 will be the largest edition of the 12 that have been held in the Catalan capital to date. Under the motto “The new urban era”, during the show the latest projects and solutions aimed at using the new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), for more sustainable and increasingly “smart” cities. The meeting is expected to bring together more than 1,000 exhibitors and representatives from 800 cities in 140 countries and will attend more than 25,000 delegates. In fact, there will be a 55% growth in its exhibition area and a 20% growth in attendees.
The director of the fair, Ugo Valentihas stated that “Smart City Expo 2023 will be the largest in history. The figures show that the urban innovation ecosystem is back in full shape. In the middle of the call Decade of Action, the time has come for accelerate urban transformation around the world. We must prepare our cities for the future, so that they are truly more sustainable, efficient and habitable. Many are already on this path, and the event is an opportunity to contribute to this common goal.”
Among the most notable presentations of this new edition are those of the co-founder of Airbnb, Nathan Blecharczyk, which will talk about how the company faces the future in the face of new regulations on tourist and seasonal apartments, the new rise in mobility after the pandemic and its contribution to alleviating the excesses of tourism in cities; and that of FC Barcelona. The president of the club, Joan Laportawill explain how the football club is leading the urban transformation of the surroundings of its stadium. Other notable speakers are computer scientist and expert in algorithmic bias Margaret Mitchell, which works on shaping artificial intelligence (AI) towards positive long-term goals; the lawyer specialized in AI Micaela Mantegna; and former UK Energy and Clean Growth Minister and sustainable development expert, Claire O’Neill.
It is not surprising that the sustainability of cities has become one of the main challenges, since the 55% of the planet’s inhabitants, some 4 billion people, live in urban areaswhich occupy 2% of the earth’s surface but consume two thirds of its resources, generating 80% of the global gross domestic product (GDP) and are responsible for 70% of CO2 emissions.
Sustainable, efficient and inclusive urban environments
Given the upward trend in urban growth, pressure increases to prevent affected metropolises from emerging. due to overcrowding, inefficient infrastructure and environmental degradation. Hence the importance of smart cities and urban innovation to harness the power of technology and data to create sustainable, efficient and inclusive urban environments for the benefit of citizens.
In turn, cities play a crucial role in global problems such as climate mitigation. climate changewhich implies the reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy and implementing sustainable transportation systems.
Another fundamental aspect is the fight for inclusivity. And, according to experts in the field, “no city can prosper without guaranteeing equal access to opportunities and resources for all its inhabitants.” In this context, issues such as affordable housing, digital inclusion and accessible urban design. The main tool to achieve these objectives is technology, with the Internet of Things and AI.
From tourist apartments to Nou Camp
As for specific cases that will be discussed, there is Airbnb, which in recent decades has transformed the way people live, work and travel. On the part of FC Barcelona, the construction will be detailed of the new Spotify Camp Nouwithin the framework of the Espai Barça project, with an investment of around 1.5 billion euros, which will represent a profound urban transformation in its surroundings.
Hours lost in traffic jams
During the fair, a study will be presented that analyzes the development of new innovative solutions for mobility in the cities. This is one of the challenges, since according to a study by the North American consulting firm Inrix, “the inhabitants of the most congested cities People in the world spend more than 6 days a year trapped in their cars due to traffic jams. London tops the list, with 156 hours lost, followed by Chicago, with 255, and Paris, with 138. In Spain, Barcelona stands out, with 47 hours lost. Madrid is located in 26 hours.
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The congress is structured into eight themes to cover the main current urban challenges: enabling technologies, energy and environment, mobility, governance, life and inclusion, economy, infrastructure and buildings, security and blue economy.
In addition to the conferences, SCEWC will have a space reserved for companies, Aramco to Honeywell or Veolia. It will also include pavilions from countries and cities around the world, from Brazil to China, including France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea and the United States, among others.