#SCEWC23
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Discover the varied program of industry specific workshops and dedicated sessions that took place in 2023.
Broaden your experience and get to the heart of key smart city issues with a wide range of panels and talks
EDIC - A Game Changer For Smart Communities
This session will introduce the concept of the EDIC instrument (European Digital Infrastructure Consortium) and its relevance for member states, regions, and cities’ policy development. We will hear the projects’ viewpoint, illustrated with examples, on how the EDIC can help amplify and replicate their achievements and how it can aid future projects.
Digital Communities: Showcasing Transformative Projects
OASC will showcase four inspiring projects, funded by the EU, with and for cities and local communities. Processes and tangible results of these projects will make clear what the challenges and opportunities are for cities and local communities to make the digital transition happen.
Climate and Nature Data Disclosure Towards a Nature-Positive Economy
Climate and nature data's significance in innovative projects for emissions reduction, urban nature conservation and financial opportunities. Urgent action is needed to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Greater transparency is crucial for cities, businesses and financial institutions to assess risks and opportunities. Access to knowledge and analytics helps stakeholders promote climate resilience and a nature-positive economy.
Energy Communities in Metropolitan Areas
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
AI in Cities – Governance and capacity needs to achieve the SDGs
The side-event will discuss responsible and inclusive planning, design, use and governance of AI in cities, and the launch of two reports: the ‘Global Assessment of Responsible AI in Cities’, to better understand the needs of local governments in relation to artificial intelligence and the ‘Trends in Urban Resilience 2024’ with highlights on ‘AI for Resilient Cities’ and focus on opportunities for big data and AI to support resilience.
Sustainable Proximities in Practice: Exploring Tools and Learning from Cities
The session will focus on best practices and share learnings from current urban initiatives focusing on the implementation of sustainable proximities. It will showcase a series of global interactive tools to put proximity into practice and give an introduction to a new digital proximity toolbox.
City Solutions Workshop
The workshop aims to support Azerbaijan, Brazil and IFC client (TBD) in finding concrete solutions for the most pressing issues and moving their smart city agenda forward. The workshop will facilitate a dynamic exchange and interaction between the cities of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Agdam (Azerbaijan) with relevant experts and other cities invited. The 3-hour workshop (by invitation only) will actively engage the two invited delegations and other interested participants in peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by experts.
Blueprints to Accelerate the Transition to a Circular Built Environment
The Circular Buildings Coalition invites you to join us to hear from 10 organisations that will showcase their blueprints for transition to a circular economy in the built environment. The blueprints cover how to finance buildings built according to circular principles, emerging ownership models that support the transition, and new ways of better promoting secondary markets. The Circular Buildings Coalition will also present a case study repository with inspiring examples in the Built Environment of projects facilitating and promoting circular principles.
Enabling Urban Mobility Data Spaces in the Mediterranean Region
Mobility Data Spaces provide clear business, governance and operational frameworks to support data sharing whilst ensuring compliance with laws and fair treatment of everyone involved. Once in operation, they pave the way for transport authorities to monitor and plan better, seamless multimodal mobility and more. The Side Event will discuss challenges and opportunities brought about by the creation of such data spaces in the Mediterranean region.
Plus many more...
Enabling Technologies
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Energy & Environment
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The Smart Water Cities Certification: Helping Cities to Become Smart and Sustainable
09 NOV | 14:45 | Central Plaza
International Water Resources Association
The International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and the Asia Water Council (AWC) are proud to announce the Smart Water Cities Certification. This Side Event aims to promote smart and sustainable urban water management practices through the development of comprehensive evaluation tools and the sharing of successful case studies. The Side Event on Smart Water Cities Certification will showcase the progress and outcomes of the three-year Smart Water Cities project, initiated in 2020. This research collaboration aims to develop a comprehensive tool consisting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure and compare the management of water resources and services in cities worldwide. The tool aims to identify key aspects of urban water resource management, assess existing cities (both developing and developed, growing and shrinking), and inform the planning of future cities. By highlighting successful practices and areas for improvement, the Smart Water Cities Certification tool will contribute to enhancing water resource decision-making. During the event, the pilot evaluations conducted in Busan Eco Delta Smart City (Republic of Korea) and the city of Semarang (Republic of Indonesia) will be presented. These pilot evaluations demonstrate how the Smart Water Cities indicators have been refined through real-world application. Lessons learned from these pilot cities will be shared, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with urban smart water management and technologies. The Side Event welcomes all attendees of the congress who are interested in the development of local capacities, the measurement and comparison of different local circumstances, and the advancement of smart water management in urban environments.
More infoInternational Water Resources Association
The International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and the Asia Water Council (AWC) are proud to announce the Smart Water Cities Certification. This Side Event aims to promote smart and sustainable urban water management practices through the development of comprehensive evaluation tools and the sharing of successful case studies. The Side Event on Smart Water Cities Certification will showcase the progress and outcomes of the three-year Smart Water Cities project, initiated in 2020. This research collaboration aims to develop a comprehensive tool consisting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure and compare the management of water resources and services in cities worldwide. The tool aims to identify key aspects of urban water resource management, assess existing cities (both developing and developed, growing and shrinking), and inform the planning of future cities. By highlighting successful practices and areas for improvement, the Smart Water Cities Certification tool will contribute to enhancing water resource decision-making. During the event, the pilot evaluations conducted in Busan Eco Delta Smart City (Republic of Korea) and the city of Semarang (Republic of Indonesia) will be presented. These pilot evaluations demonstrate how the Smart Water Cities indicators have been refined through real-world application. Lessons learned from these pilot cities will be shared, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with urban smart water management and technologies. The Side Event welcomes all attendees of the congress who are interested in the development of local capacities, the measurement and comparison of different local circumstances, and the advancement of smart water management in urban environments.
Energy Communities in Metropolitan Areas
07 NOV | 11:45 | Central Plaza
Metropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
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
More infoMetropolis, World Association of the Major Metropolises
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
Climate and Nature Data Disclosure Towards a Nature-Positive Economy
07 NOV | 13:45 | Central Plaza
ICLEI
Climate and nature data's significance in innovative projects for emissions reduction, urban nature conservation and financial opportunities. Urgent action is needed to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Greater transparency is crucial for cities, businesses and financial institutions to assess risks and opportunities. Access to knowledge and analytics helps stakeholders promote climate resilience and a nature-positive economy.
More infoICLEI
Climate and nature data's significance in innovative projects for emissions reduction, urban nature conservation and financial opportunities. Urgent action is needed to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Greater transparency is crucial for cities, businesses and financial institutions to assess risks and opportunities. Access to knowledge and analytics helps stakeholders promote climate resilience and a nature-positive economy.
Lowezone: scaling-up knowledge on how to build LEZ’s
08 NOV | 12:15 | Mobility Plaza
Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB)
The implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) has proven to be highly effective in improving air quality and other negative impacts caused by urban traffic. In this Agora session we will explain the experiences on the LEZs of the Barcelona Area and Lisbon within the scope of Lowezone project; an academic project co-founded by EIT-UM. which explores scaling up of LEZ solutions. The session will conclude with a final debate on the future of LEZ.
More infoBarcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB)
The implementation of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) has proven to be highly effective in improving air quality and other negative impacts caused by urban traffic. In this Agora session we will explain the experiences on the LEZs of the Barcelona Area and Lisbon within the scope of Lowezone project; an academic project co-founded by EIT-UM. which explores scaling up of LEZ solutions. The session will conclude with a final debate on the future of LEZ.
Energy & Climate Go Local: How Local Actors Can Best Achieve Climate Neutrality
09 NOV | 13:45 | Central Plaza
IEECP
What are the needs of cities and regions on their path to climate neutrality? What solutions are already out there? A quiz will test the audience knowledge and provide complete answers in a highly interactive session, bringing together a number of projects and showing how existing solutions already developed and tested can support local and regional authorities to withstand the impacts of climate change and reach the related EU targets.
More infoIEECP
What are the needs of cities and regions on their path to climate neutrality? What solutions are already out there? A quiz will test the audience knowledge and provide complete answers in a highly interactive session, bringing together a number of projects and showing how existing solutions already developed and tested can support local and regional authorities to withstand the impacts of climate change and reach the related EU targets.
Startup Pitches | Innovation for a Greener Tomorrow
09 NOV | 9:45 | Innovation Plaza
Fira Barcelona - Start-up Pitch
More infoFira Barcelona - Start-up Pitch
Urban Shark Tank: Igniting Innovation for Replication
09 NOV | 9:45 | Central Plaza
BABLE Smart Cities
Step into the exhilarating world of Urban Shark Tank, where bold innovators from companies dive into the depths of creative pitches of use cases to captivate a panel of cities committed to climate-smart solutions. Witness the fusion of entrepreneurship, creativity, and sustainability as groundbreaking companies pitch their visionary ideas, vying for the support and collaboration of forward-thinking urban leaders in cities.
More infoBABLE Smart Cities
Step into the exhilarating world of Urban Shark Tank, where bold innovators from companies dive into the depths of creative pitches of use cases to captivate a panel of cities committed to climate-smart solutions. Witness the fusion of entrepreneurship, creativity, and sustainability as groundbreaking companies pitch their visionary ideas, vying for the support and collaboration of forward-thinking urban leaders in cities.
Positive Energy Districts as key to the sustainable city of tomorrow
09 NOV | 10:45 | Central Plaza
EU initiatives on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities&
Positive Energy Districts, Neighborhoods and Buildings offer a visionary path towards a greener future by integrating renewable energy sources, smart grids, and innovative technologies into localized urban ecosystems. By focusing on energy generation, storage, and distribution at the district level, these concepts can effectively alleviate grid congestion, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower carbon emissions.
More infoEU initiatives on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities&
Positive Energy Districts, Neighborhoods and Buildings offer a visionary path towards a greener future by integrating renewable energy sources, smart grids, and innovative technologies into localized urban ecosystems. By focusing on energy generation, storage, and distribution at the district level, these concepts can effectively alleviate grid congestion, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and lower carbon emissions.
A Smart Journey: Shifting To Climate Neutrality, Leaving No One Behind
09 NOV | 12:45 | Central Plaza
NetZeroCities
The Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission aims for 100 cities to become climate neutral by 2030, inspiring all other cities to follow suit by 2050. To achieve this unprecedented goal, unlocking the potential of tech and data infrastructure is critical. Yet Smartness goes beyond technology and tech does not always mean smart.
More infoNetZeroCities
The Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission aims for 100 cities to become climate neutral by 2030, inspiring all other cities to follow suit by 2050. To achieve this unprecedented goal, unlocking the potential of tech and data infrastructure is critical. Yet Smartness goes beyond technology and tech does not always mean smart.
Best Practices in Supporting Cities in the Sustainable Biobased Change
09 NOV | 15:00 | CC1 - Room 1.1
CERCA
The challenging energy and resources situation has highlighted the importance of supporting the utilisation, circulation and recovery of biobased resources, according to the EU Green Deal and the UN Agenda 2030. This international workshop focus on the sustainable development of European cities and the exchange of experience and capacity building to support the improvement of policy instruments and implementation of new technologies for optimizing the valorisation of useful byproducts.
More infoCERCA
The challenging energy and resources situation has highlighted the importance of supporting the utilisation, circulation and recovery of biobased resources, according to the EU Green Deal and the UN Agenda 2030. This international workshop focus on the sustainable development of European cities and the exchange of experience and capacity building to support the improvement of policy instruments and implementation of new technologies for optimizing the valorisation of useful byproducts.
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Mobility
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Governance & Economy
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Innovation-Friendly Procurement for Smart and Sustainable Cities
08 NOV | 16:30 | CC1 - Room 1.3
United for Smart and Sustainable Cities
Cities spend $6 trillion USD annually buying goods and services. This represents a huge lever to inspire, identify and introduce innovation to local services. Public procurement has a reputation for being a barrier rather than a boost to innovation, but this need not be the case. Join this insight rich session to learn how pioneering place leaders around the world are using their procurement power to spark new solutions, which deliver new citizen experiences, optimise service delivery and realise net zero ambitions - and discover the tools including model policies you need to help your city to join the movement! This session will showcase new resources from the World Economic Forum / G20 Smart Cities Alliance and the U4SSC Thematic Group on Procurement Guidelines for Smart and Sustainable Cities.
More infoUnited for Smart and Sustainable Cities
Cities spend $6 trillion USD annually buying goods and services. This represents a huge lever to inspire, identify and introduce innovation to local services. Public procurement has a reputation for being a barrier rather than a boost to innovation, but this need not be the case. Join this insight rich session to learn how pioneering place leaders around the world are using their procurement power to spark new solutions, which deliver new citizen experiences, optimise service delivery and realise net zero ambitions - and discover the tools including model policies you need to help your city to join the movement! This session will showcase new resources from the World Economic Forum / G20 Smart Cities Alliance and the U4SSC Thematic Group on Procurement Guidelines for Smart and Sustainable Cities.
Scouting Excellence: Attracting High-Quality and Gender-Inclusive Start-ups
09 NOV | 14:45 | Innovation Plaza
Carnet
This round table session brings together experienced scouters from different regions to discuss best practices in identification of the most innovative and disruptive start-ups with a specific focus on success stories about closing the gender gap and boosting female entrepreneurship. Attendees will gain valuable insights about how this commitment to inclusivity and diversity drives transformative changes in the mobility ecosystem.
More infoCarnet
This round table session brings together experienced scouters from different regions to discuss best practices in identification of the most innovative and disruptive start-ups with a specific focus on success stories about closing the gender gap and boosting female entrepreneurship. Attendees will gain valuable insights about how this commitment to inclusivity and diversity drives transformative changes in the mobility ecosystem.
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Infrastructures & Buildings
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Blueprints to Accelerate the Transition to a Circular Built Environment
07 NOV | 10:00 | CC1 - 1.4
Circular Buildings Coalition
The Circular Buildings Coalition invites you to join us to hear from 10 organisations that will showcase their blueprints for transition to a circular economy in the built environment. The blueprints cover how to finance buildings built according to circular principles, emerging ownership models that support the transition, and new ways of better promoting secondary markets. The Circular Buildings Coalition will also present a case study repository with inspiring examples in the Built Environment of projects facilitating and promoting circular principles.
More infoCircular Buildings Coalition
The Circular Buildings Coalition invites you to join us to hear from 10 organisations that will showcase their blueprints for transition to a circular economy in the built environment. The blueprints cover how to finance buildings built according to circular principles, emerging ownership models that support the transition, and new ways of better promoting secondary markets. The Circular Buildings Coalition will also present a case study repository with inspiring examples in the Built Environment of projects facilitating and promoting circular principles.
Reinventing Cities: Towards Zero Carbon
08 NOV | 11:45 | Central Plaza
C40 Cities
Zero-carbon urban projects must become the norm. Cities and the private sector must collaborate to achieve this urgent goal to create better with lower emissions and better quality of life. Building on the experiences of cities and actors involved in Reinventing Cities global initiative, we will explore tools for sustainable urban regeneration, looking at public-private collaborations, common challenges and exemplary zero carbon urban projects.
More infoC40 Cities
Zero-carbon urban projects must become the norm. Cities and the private sector must collaborate to achieve this urgent goal to create better with lower emissions and better quality of life. Building on the experiences of cities and actors involved in Reinventing Cities global initiative, we will explore tools for sustainable urban regeneration, looking at public-private collaborations, common challenges and exemplary zero carbon urban projects.
Digitalising NEB: digiNEB.eu First Annual Event
08 NOV | 15:00 | CC1 - 1.4
digiNEB.eu
The "Digitalising NEB" is digiNEB.eu 's first annual event at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023. This hybrid event delves into the digital transformation of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Attendees will gain insights into the project's first-year achievements, explore its Digital Toolkit with innovative solutions, and be inspired by early adopters and success stories. The event features interactive sessions, panel discussions on digitalisation's role in sustainability, and networking opportunities.
More infodigiNEB.eu
The "Digitalising NEB" is digiNEB.eu 's first annual event at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023. This hybrid event delves into the digital transformation of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Attendees will gain insights into the project's first-year achievements, explore its Digital Toolkit with innovative solutions, and be inspired by early adopters and success stories. The event features interactive sessions, panel discussions on digitalisation's role in sustainability, and networking opportunities.
Building policy and investment dialogues with clients on smart cities: Introducing Smart City engagement experiences through the World Bank Guidance Note and the IFC Smart City Toolkit.
08 NOV | 17:15 | Central Plaza
World Bank and International Finance Corporation
The session will present the WB Global Smart City Partnership Program Engagement Guidance Note* and IFC’s smart city toolkit experiences in cities. The session aims to provide a few examples of engagement opportunities and resources within the WBG to build a Smart City Dialogue. The 45-minute session will include a short presentation and an interactive Q&A with the audience.
More infoWorld Bank and International Finance Corporation
The session will present the WB Global Smart City Partnership Program Engagement Guidance Note* and IFC’s smart city toolkit experiences in cities. The session aims to provide a few examples of engagement opportunities and resources within the WBG to build a Smart City Dialogue. The 45-minute session will include a short presentation and an interactive Q&A with the audience.
Smart Builders Pitch Competition
08 NOV | 17:15 | Innovation Plaza
Aticco
Aticco & Smart City Expo organize a Pitch Competition to showcase the most innovative projects in green and digital transition of buildings, construction, and urban infrastructures.
More infoAticco
Aticco & Smart City Expo organize a Pitch Competition to showcase the most innovative projects in green and digital transition of buildings, construction, and urban infrastructures.
City Solutions Workshop
08 NOV | 9:30 | CC1 - 1.5
World Bank and International Finance Corporation
The workshop aims to support Azerbaijan, Brazil and IFC client (TBD) in finding concrete solutions for the most pressing issues and moving their smart city agenda forward. The workshop will facilitate a dynamic exchange and interaction between the cities of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Agdam (Azerbaijan) with relevant experts and other cities invited. The 3-hour workshop (by invitation only) will actively engage the two invited delegations and other interested participants in peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by experts.
More infoWorld Bank and International Finance Corporation
The workshop aims to support Azerbaijan, Brazil and IFC client (TBD) in finding concrete solutions for the most pressing issues and moving their smart city agenda forward. The workshop will facilitate a dynamic exchange and interaction between the cities of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Agdam (Azerbaijan) with relevant experts and other cities invited. The 3-hour workshop (by invitation only) will actively engage the two invited delegations and other interested participants in peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by experts.
Startup Pitches | The AI & Digital Revolution in Urban Spaces
08 NOV | 9:45| Innovation Plaza
Fira Barcelona - Start-up Pitch
More infoFira Barcelona - Start-up Pitch
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Living & Inclusion
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