Track: Infrastructure & Building

To enhance citizens’ well-being, we need to put citizens’ needs in front. And we need to focus on softer technology prioritizing flexibility, adaptability, and people-first approaches. How can digital engagement platforms help foster strong, inclusive communities and how can we better leverage emotional intelligence as a crucial foundation for decision-making and design?

Decades of government and philanthropic policies have facilitated economically stagnant zones where people measure their success by how far they get away. This talent-extraction paradigm makes them far more vulnerable to real estate speculation and displacement, and removes individuals with spending power, day to day examples of success, and the investment and financial acumen needed to build local economies.

By drawing on examples from a number of cities across the continent, this presentation will explore the extent to which place and space matter, in the age of platforms, social media and digital tools, and essentially offers an alternative conception of smart cities. Rather than seeing the smart city as an ideal to be achieved and yet to be implemented, the argument here is that technology infused livelihoods and everyday innovations are what define the digital age. The smart city exists, in the urban everyday, and is continuously being reinvented.

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.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Dassault Systèmes

How can urban planning prioritize community well-being, cater to the diverse needs of residents, and enhance the overall city-living experience? This roundtable focuses on the power of urban planning and landscaping in promoting sustainable, equitable, and resilient cities. Discussions will analyze innovative trends in city planning and strategies to address current challenges, providing a platform for urban innovators to share experiences related to building inclusive and resilient cities.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners NOVA IMS

What does it take to build the cities of the future? Understanding the transformative power of the innovations that are shaping modern urban landscapes is crucial. By showcasing cutting-edge novelties in construction, infrastructure, and urban planning, this session provides insights into the strategies implemented to create resilient, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners ROSHN, Saudi Aramco

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.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Dassault Systèmes

The Business Forum SCEWC Barcelona on 5 November 2024 brings together public and private leaders to explore collaboration and innovation.

It features presentations on public-private investment opportunities, EU Smart Cities marketplace and successful city initiatives from Leuven and Barcelona, and partnerships between Catalonia and Flanders.

The event concludes with a networking session, offering a valuable chance to connect and discuss future collaborations.

Strategic urban design and sustainable event planning are vital to preparing cities for hosting global events and tourism. This session will explore innovative building solutions and cutting-edge urban planning, highlighting smart tourism and internationalization in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Can cities leverage innovative infrastructure and smart technologies to prepare for hosting major international events and enhance smart tourism while ensuring long-term benefits for their citizens?

Urban transformation often faces hurdles in gaining community buy-in and navigating political landscapes. A way to bridge the gap between aspirations for change and the reality of implementation remains in communicating well about the co-benefits of the urban design changes. In this session, C40 will delve into the critical question of garnering support from both residents and political decision-makers to create green and thriving neighborhoods.

‘Ciudad y Territorio Digital’ from the Observatorio 2030 integrates the digitalization of the built environment at all levels, from rural areas to cities, focusing on the technological impact to improve mobility, the definition of public spaces, and universal accessibility. It addresses the optimization of energy, water, and waste and the possibilities that digitalization offers to the construction process of our cities and towns.

AI and real-time monitoring startups provide cities with the tools to track environmental conditions, optimize waste management, and improve energy efficiency, making urban areas more adaptive and sustainable. These promising companies are using AI for good.

Cities and the private sector must join forces to develop a zero-carbon, resilient, and inclusive urban regeneration model. What are the strategies that cities can uptake? What is the private sector’s role? This session will showcase best practices and flagship urban regeneration projects including Reinventing Cities - a powerful initiative involving 30 global cities and over 3500 businesses to date.

Following the examples of Barcelona and Munich, we will discuss how cities are leading the development of local digital twins to support urban decision-making and citizen engagement. Why cities should have a digital twin? What are the challenges of implementing these technologies at the local level?

Cities are increasingly experiencing the direct and indirect consequences of the climate emergency. Simultaneously, they are hubs of innovation that can enhance their resilience and foster healthier, more sustainable environments through sustainable urban planning strategies. By integrating green spaces, eco-friendly infrastructure, and renewable energy, cities are reducing carbon footprints and promoting biodiversity. How can they further leverage these strategies to combat climate change?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners ROSHN, KHNP

Startups are offering solutions that integrate green architecture, smart utilities, and circular economy practices to make cities more eco-friendly, reducing waste and energy consumption. These startups will keep us happy, safe, and cozy in our new urban environments.

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?

This session will feature the participation of our global partners SDAIA

This Keynote outlines ORBITS Engineering Firm's approach to transitioning buildings from manual control systems to advanced digital twin technology. It emphasizes strategic planning, tailored BIM models, IoT integration, and cybersecurity to optimize building performance and long-term efficiency. The company focuses on delivering custom solutions that enhance automation, energy savings, and predictive maintenance for smart buildings

This session will feature the participation of our global partner KPMG in Canada, Vancouver Airport Authority 

Dive into the ambitious journey of Sunderland UK, as it sets new standards in urban planning, digital infrastructure and smart city development. Highlighting the city's advancements in prioritising community wellbeing, creating vibrant and resilient communities and enhancing the safety and sustainability of the city’s environment. Shaping a more inclusive and connected urban future – a blueprint for innovation and long-term growth.

Ubiwhere, a digital SME, invests daily in Research & Innovation in Digital Twins and other cutting-edge technologies alongside great partners and consortia. Find out in this keynote how Ubiwhere's body of work with academia, corporations, and communities is suiting the future of more than 75 cities around the world towards sustainability and better living conditions.

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.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners ROSHN

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.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Axis Communications

We live in complex times that are shaping the course of the cities and people who will inhabit the cities of the future. We propose an inspirational session to find out: What will their families be like? What priorities, fears and struggles will remain? How will they communicate and relate to each other? Where will they work? What will be their main leisure activities? We propose a space for dialogue to reflect on how to make the cities of the future more liveable.

In the midst of the struggle to balance supply-driven and demand-driven technology adoption, city officials face the challenge of ensuring the practical implementation of human-centricity in their smart cities. How can cities translate strategies and theories into actionable initiatives that prioritize livability and inclusivity in technology adoption? Madinah, Saudi Arabia has tackled these dilemmas by introducing its City Experience Playbook.

How is the building sector adapting to city sustainability initiatives? How can the built environment help mitigate urban climate change impacts? This session delves into new construction practices that align with city-level sustainability goals. Discussions will explore the challenges and opportunities for the building sector in supporting urban sustainability objectives, particularly in combating climate change and achieving decarbonization targets.

How are cities adjusting to evolving urban dynamics to meet the needs of their residents effectively? What strategies can cities adopt to guarantee equitable access to essential resources for all their citizens? The session will delve into the measures being put into place by local governments to ensure access to urban design necessities, discussing the policies that are globally shaping more inclusive, sustainable, and secure cities.

Cities are where the impacts of extreme heat events are felt hardest. Extreme heat events have been identified as the most lethal of climate-related disasters, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including the elderly, economically and socially disadvantaged, and those with disabilities. This session shares lessons from C40 cities on how they act to cool neighborhoods and buildings and protect their residents.

In 2022, the Mantenim Circular project was launched, thanks to the joint work between the ITeC and the Waste Agency of Catalonia. The main objective of this initiative is to give a second life to products and materials in the construction sector. Without wanting to compete with any marketplace, Mantenim Circular aims to connect the available databases with the potential of existing circularity of materials.

The Ukraine Facility is the European Union’s main investment instrument for Ukraine up to 2027, worth EUR 50 billion, whose key aim is to foster partnerships between Ukrainian and European businesses. One of the main pillars of the Facility is the 'Ukraine Investment Framework' (UIF), designed to attract and mobilise public and private investments for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. It is therefore of critical strategic importance that companies both in Ukraine and the European Union can make the best of the opportunities available under the UIF; to learn precisely how they can avail of these instruments to drive Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery

Melike Altınışık’s presentation explores the captivating synergy that emerges when nature, architecture, and technology intersect. She emphasizes the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration in driving innovation, highlighting notable achievements from MAA’s diverse portfolio. From the futuristic 369-meter Çamlıca Tower in Istanbul to the groundbreaking Robot and AI Museum in Seoul, Altınışık illustrates how blending natural inspiration with technological expertise creates architectural spaces that harmoniously integrate with their surroundings.

Giuseppe Masanotti, as a member of the design team, will illustrate the visionary project for the Levi-Montalcini Foundation's new headquarters. This is, out of doubt, a pioneering, eco-sustainable project, integrating innovative and experimental solutions. Designed by Giancarlo Zema Design Group, the building will feature biochar-infused concrete, 3D-printed eco-cement structures, a vertiport for electric passengers drone and a photovoltaic roof, setting new standards for sustainable architecture.

5CC+ is an international colaboration between the Cities of Rotterdam, Hamburg, Helsinki, Vienna, Prague and Singapore for the adoptation and development of Digital Twins. The focus of our community lies on the usage of digital twins in urban planning, showing the needs of the cities and sharing best practices based on opensource software and open standards.

How can smart infrastructures be designed to adapt to evolving city dynamics? This session highlights cutting-edge advancements in smart building technology and their influence on construction practices and architectural design. Discussions will examine the integration of IoT, automation, and technology to boost energy efficiency, optimize space usage, and enhance occupant comfort and safety. The focus will be on how to create resilient and sustainable urban infrastructures equipped to meet future challenges.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Veloia Spain

What are some innovative solutions and strategies for a more sustainable urban development? From advancements in building energy efficiency, enhancing indoor environmental quality to sustainable construction practices and pioneering leadership in infrastructure projects, the speakers of this session will share the latest solutions that integrate technology, data analysis and decarbonization for successfully shaping the cities of the future.

How have successful retrofit projects implemented smart building and sustainable solutions to transform existing infrastructure? This session delves into strategies and technologies for retrofitting existing buildings and infrastructure, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and digital integration. From energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy integration to deploying IoT devices and smart building technologies, the session aims to showcase the benefits of retrofitting through successful projects and innovative solutions.

This session will feature the participation of our global partners Aramco

The Paris Region's approach to building smart and sustainable urban environments highlights the role of both territories and businesses in driving innovation. Attendees will learn about the Greater Paris Metropolis' experimentation program and its forward-thinking urban initiatives. The session will also cover the importance of low-tech solutions, resource efficiency, and the need to balance high-tech and low-tech approaches in city design.

At this session Forética will conduct live interviews with the leading companies of the Sustainable Cities 2030 initiative. Each of them will tackle the topic of green infrastructure from a different angle.