CITY DEAL IN BARCELONA

City Deals: building innovative networks for lasting impact

Everything starts with an idea that can change the world. That’s how we began with the City Deal ‘A Smart City, that’s how you do it,’ where we explored how cities can change in a democratic way through digitalization and technology. Soon, sixty parties from government, business, education, and society joined us. 

In five years, we have developed fifteen solutions together. But the most valuable result is the innovative network we have built. This network now continues as part of the DMI ecosystem, where new ideas and collaborations thrive. 

We will showcase this at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona. Through the City Deal, we are closely involved in organizing the Team NL Mission to the Catalan capital and helping make it possible for over 80 Dutch partners to attend. 

And this year, we’re more active than ever. Below, you can read about what we’re doing in Barcelona and how you can join in.

November 4th: During the Smart City Business Day, we are organizing two cycling tours: 

Each tour can accommodate a maximum of 25 participants. You can pre-register for these tours, and your registration is valid until 5 minutes before departure. So, you must be present at the bikes 5 minutes before the time below. Click here to register.  

11:00 AM: Smart City – This is How Barcelona Does It 

Under the banner of the City Deal ‘A Smart City, that’s how you do it,’ we have worked hard in the Netherlands over the past five years to develop smart solutions for urban challenges. We’ve placed sensors, held ethical discussions, and developed smart mobility solutions. On November 4th, we’re taking our knowledge to Barcelona, where we will explore the smart city projects that make Barcelona so innovative during an interactive bike tour through the city. 

During the tour, you’ll not only see inspiring examples of how technology and AI can be used for urban design but also explore the ethical questions and experience the tools in action. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about these innovative solutions and discover how they can be applied in Barcelona. 

2:15 PM: How Barcelona Builds a Sustainable City Above and Below Ground 

Smart water management is an essential part of any smart city, and Barcelona is leading the way in this area. During this tour, we will literally go underground for an exclusive visit to the Joan Miró Storm Tank, a massive reservoir that can hold up to 22 swimming pools worth of water. Here, you’ll discover the innovative, data-driven solutions the city uses to prepare for climate change and flooding. 

We will also visit, under the guidance of Xavier Matilla (architect, urban planner, and professor in Barcelona), the famous superblocks in Barcelona. Xavier was instrumental in creating the superblocks, a project that transforms city blocks into greener, healthier, and stronger social and economic spaces. During the bike tour through the city, we will see how Barcelona is redesigning its public space to make it more sustainable and livable. This not only reduces noise, traffic, and pollution but also creates new spaces where residents can relax and enjoy the city. 

Be amazed by how Barcelona uses technology and data to optimize its water management and learn which lessons we can take back to make our cities more resilient and sustainable. Please note, it is strongly recommended to wear closed shoes with rubber soles and long pants for this tour. 

November 5th – 7th: We’ll be at the Dutch Pavilion with an AI drawing competition 

Our next step is the City Deal ‘AI in the City,’ an exploration of how we can literally and figuratively color the world with AI applications. And you can do the same. Color the world and win a set of colored pencils. 

November 6th: AI Power Breakfast 

What challenge do we want to solve with AI in the City? And what perspective goes with that? We’ll explore this together during the AI Power Breakfast on Wednesday morning, November 6th (from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM). Click here for more info and to register. 

If you want to know more about Agenda Stad and the City Deals, ask for Jan-Willem Wesselink or Naomi Vrielink during the Smart City Business Day or at the NL Pavilion.