Live Better: A New Horizon for Cities and Citizens

Not so long ago, the metropolises of the future were pictured packed with massive skyscrapers, roads crammed with cars, and citizens hectically moving from one place to another. Fortunately, that image is changing.

The early vision of hypertechnological cities focused heavily on infrastructure, automation, and architectural marvels. While these elements were impressive, they often overlooked the human aspect, resulting in environments that could feel cold, impersonal, and overwhelming. The primary aim was to create cities that functioned efficiently, with little regard for how people would experience living in them.

Today, a new paradigm has emerged in urban transformation, one that places the welfare of citizens at its very heart. This shift acknowledges that a city's ultimate purpose is to serve its inhabitants, ensuring they lead happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

This holistic approach to urban design is driven by concepts such as inclusiveness, sustainability, and participation. Because modern urban planning needs to prioritize the needs of citizens, creating walkable neighborhoods, catering to the elderly and those with disabilities and fostering a sense of community and connection.

Ensuring a future for cities, citizens, and the generations to come means using green technologies, deploying efficient waste management systems, and sustainable public transportation that combat climate change and create healthier environments.

The final step is involving citizens in the planning process, because to make cities a home for its citizens requires that no one is left behind and everyone has their say in urban transformations. Only by listening can we build a common future.

Technology will remain a fundamental part of urban development. Nothing could be achieved as fast and as accurately without connectivity or without digitization, because to make cities more livable we need to make them smarter first.

That is what Smart City Expo World Congress 2024 will be about: Gathering governments and institutions, cities from the five continents, the leading companies and experts worldwide in Barcelona to share their knowledge, their visions and experiences, and design a better world through cities. And making this vision as broad as possible by holding this summit alongside Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow.Building World Congress and Tomorrow Blue Economy.

From November 5 – 7, we want to imagine a new horizon together. One that focuses on the wellbeing of citizens, ensuring livable environments full of opportunities that lay the foundations for future generations to thrive in. Because the future of cities is not about towering structures and cutting-edge technology alone; it's about creating spaces where people can truly live better. 

Ugo Valenti 

Director of Smart City Expo World Congress