Track: Enabling Technologies

How are the latest technological advances transforming the way we build and inhabit our cities? The impact of technologies like Digital Twins, IoT, AI, and advanced construction techniques on the urban environment is undeniable. These innovations are revolutionizing urban planning, construction, and infrastructure usage, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. It is vital to harness these technologies to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and tech-forward.

When used for city services, do advanced technologies guarantee data protection and facilitate digital trust? How are governments responding to the consequences of implementing new technologies in urban living? This session will reflect on the evolving relationships between citizens and technology, discuss the evolution of threats like cyberattacks, fake news, and digital bias, and debate regulation in the digital age.

How are advancements in construction techniques reshaping the built environment? The path to resilient and eco-friendly urban development lies in smart construction. This session will explore the pivotal role of new construction methods and mindsets in achieving sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities. It will delve into innovative approaches to new technologies in building techniques, and design innovations contributing to the urban centers of the future.

How are cities managing data analytics to prepare urban areas and citizens for future challenges? Can cities not only analyze data but also predict future dynamics to guarantee resilience and plan in the long term? This session delves into how cities can focus on data collection, storage, and management and use this information to predict performances and dynamics, guaranteeing better resilience and governance.

The future of inclusive city living relies on leveraging the latest technological tools to enhance affordability, inclusivity, and access in urban areas. Cities are increasingly embracing diversity, ensuring fairness, and fostering social cohesion through tech-driven solutions. However, as the urban landscape evolves, challenges like the digital divide and systemic inequalities persist. Can technology successfully bridge these gaps and create truly inclusive cities?

The session will highlight the role of cities in fostering human rights in the digital era and promoting a human-centered digital transformation. A first dialogue will expose how and why cities are relevant to addressing digital rights challenges. It will be followed by a solution dialogue, showcasing different projects from cities to uphold digital rights in urban spaces.

This colloquium will explore the digital strategies and tools driving innovation in cities. During the session, best practices will be analyzed, and the implementation of advanced technologies for urban transformation will be shared. Additionally, emerging trends in digitalization will be discussed, focusing on how they can improve the quality of life for citizens, promote sustainability, and increase the efficiency of public services.

The session will explore the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in sustainable urban development, focusing on its capacity to enhance public services, improve urban sustainability, and localize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will bring together experts, policymakers, and academia to discuss AI's role in shaping future cities.

Urban design is being revolutionized by cutting-edge advancements, enabling the creation of advanced and sustainable cities. This session covers the high-tech tools that make it possible to design the world's most advanced cities. What are the implications of these technologies for city living, and their impact on urban environments and residents' quality of life? How are digital tools shaping the design process for buildings, infrastructures, and entire cities?

As Artificial Intelligence advances rapidly, how can it help transform cities as an economic and social driver? How is AI already proving to help cities in their sustainable development advancements, and what future opportunities will this technology offer? This session will explore AI’s potential in decision-making while addressing how cities around the world are successfully managing any associated ethical concerns and risks.

The latest technological advances are revolutionizing our lives. How can we use eco-innovation to make cities more energy-efficient, resilient, and environmentally friendly? This session will analyze how cutting-edge technology enhances urban green spaces and explore the challenges and solutions innovators and administrations face in creating more technological and sustainable cities.

Cities are embracing the transformative potential of cutting-edge technology. Innovations in AI, IoT, data analysis, and connectivity are already transforming urban areas into smarter, more efficient, and more inclusive environments. The key to success lies in leveraging these technologies to empower thriving cities, creating innovative, resilient, and citizen-centric urban hubs. How can urban leaders implement these technologies seamlessly into the day-to-day of cities to take advantage of all their potential?

What emerging trends and technological advancements are influencing property management and utilization? This session explores the latest innovations in real estate, covering asset management, housing, and collaborative tools. Gain insights into how these technologies are reshaping lifestyles and work environments, providing a comprehensive look at the future of real estate in a technology-driven world.

What are the key benefits of integrating digital twin technology into smart city initiatives? How are digital twins revolutionizing urban planning and decision-making through real-time monitoring and prediction? This session will explore how digital twins have become a crucial tool, anticipating urban scenarios and facilitating the creation of more adaptive and sustainable built environments for their citizens, and predicting what it will bring in the future.

Can new technologies help build resilient, secure, and forward-thinking urban environments? How can local leaders spearhead this technological revolution? Strategic governance is essential for seamlessly integrating cutting-edge tech into city life while ensuring robust security frameworks. As policymakers are pivotal in fostering innovation, safeguarding digital infrastructure, and protecting citizen data, this high-level roundtable will debate how effective governance can create innovative, secure, and vibrant cities for the future.

In a constantly changing world, cities are adapting their strategic plans to prepare for the future. However, how governments respond to citizens' direct concerns will truly redefine agile governance. In this session, we will explore how GovTech solutions guarantee efficiency and effectiveness in addressing both urban challenges and cities' needs while incorporating other leaders in the digital transformation to make it happen.

This roundtable will discuss the fundamental challenge facing cities today: how to reap the benefits of digital transformation and ensure it delivers for everyone, fostering social inclusion and integrating the environmental aspect. City representatives will bring their examples and perspectives and discuss how international cooperation can support cities in playing their part to achieve the twin transition and Sustainable Development Goals.

This panel session will explore the experiences of cities and technical partners, discussing the challenges of deploying new technologies or governance structures at the neighborhood scale. Participants from the UP2030 project (Horizon Europe), will address integration hurdles and social acceptance issues. The session will also examine city-wide upscaling opportunities, highlighting strategies for overcoming barriers and fostering transitions.

What are the new developments cities are using to enhance digital services? How are they ensuring a higher speed, accessibility, and efficiency in delivering top-notch city services? As city agencies take the lead in the use of digital technologies to better serve residents, businesses, visitors, and all who depend on urban services, this roundtable will unravel the skills and infrastructures reshaping advanced digital services.

The intersection of enabling technologies and sustainability is revolutionizing how environmental challenges are addressed. Innovations such as IoT, AI, and renewable energy systems are enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and making our overall existence more sustainable. As societies become more aware of the urgent need to adopt sustainable practices, tech leaders are pioneering the transition to a greener, more sustainable future for our planet.

Technological innovations are redefining the way people move around. From zero-emission powertrains to autonomous vehicles and AI-powered mobility solutions, innovators offer bold pathways to public and private decision-makers. In this session, speakers will reflect on the driving forces behind the mobility transition, and on the role of public procurements to foster mobility-related innovations.

What obstacles arise in urban environments that hinder digital equality and inclusion, and how can cities address them? In what ways are local governments promoting digital equity and social justice to ensure equal access to technology? This roundtable will explore the innovative strategies that cities are employing to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all residents have equitable access to technology, digital literacy, and the opportunities they facilitate.