SCEWC19 Takeaways

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First timers to Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) might feel overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. That was certainly the case when I first attended the event a few years ago.

The increasing number of attendees, as well as the opening of regional chapters of the SCEWC in other cities over the years, provide the best barometer to measure the success of this event. The 2019 edition numbers reflect 24,399 visitors, 1,010 exhibitors, 90+ events with 400+ speakers and the overall presence of 700+ cities from 146 countries. Coming from the humble beginnings of 6,160 visitors and 118 exhibitors in the first edition in 2011, SCEWC has steadily grown in size and reach. But regardless of the good job event organizers might be doing, the growth of this particular event is closely tied to the increasing importance of cities in the human experience.

Humans Are Moving to Cities

Cities have been key in human development. According to the estimates of the United Nations' Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), in 2018, over half of the world's population (55.3%) lived in urban areas. Projections indicate that in ten years this will reach 60%. Among other tendencies, the world’s cities are growing both in size and number. Last year, 23% of the world’s population lived in cities with more than a million inhabitants and the share of the population residing in cities is increasing in all regions. But population trends are not the only the only indicators we should be looking at.  

Can Cities Fail?

When we read “city X has a problem” what that really means is “a great number of people have a problem.” Our treasured archeological sites are evidence of the undoing of cities and civilizations. The World’s Cities in 2018—Data Booklet, published by UNDESA states: “In some cities, population decline occurred in response to a natural disaster.” Current and archived newspaper pages provide us with numerous examples; climate change and population patterns indicate that our cities must prepare for its effects. 

Moreover, natural disasters are not the only causes of urban deterioration. “Economic contraction has also contributed to population decline in some places” as can be seen in cities like Detroit and Caracas. Cities in economic downturn often experience migratory movements that affect not only the migrants themselves, but receptors of those migrants as well. However, city decline can also be a symptom of a bigger issue.

UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

Compelled by the current state of the world and the impending catastrophe posed by climate change, in September 2015 heads of state and government representatives met at the United Nations and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This agenda set 17 goals, one of which (11) calls for “sustainable cities and communities” and justifies it indicating that: “There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.”

Cities are key to any plan designed to reach these objectives. First, because the concentration of human activities in urban areas makes them key to any social or political action; second—and more importantly—a consequence of dense population in urban areas makes them large sources of pollutants that significantly contribute to climate change.

These goals provide a sound framework for any urban strategic planning. What is not straightforward is the steps or tools needed to achieve them.

Expo and Toolbox?

The mission of SCEWC is to “empower cities and collectivize urban innovation across the globe.”

SCEWC is simultaneously an expo/market-fair and a congress in which companies, government officials, NGOs, researchers and other stakeholders involved in urban development exchange experiences and set the bases of collaboration. Therefore, it is not unusual to see mayors and captains of industries cross paths there.

In this year’s edition, for instance, several Scandinavian cities formed an alliance, presenting themselves humorously as The Nordics. Moscow’s stand was, in contrast, simpler as it didn’t seem to host any company and was meant solely for city promotion. Some stands were very modest, while others displayed not only their core exhibition but additional amenities, such as bars and private meeting areas.

But the shiny lights of the expo may distract from the core principles of the congress. This edition was organized around six topics: digital transformation, urban environment, mobility, governance and finance, and inclusive and sharing cities. It can only be hoped that stakeholders in city planning and management shared  with each other their experiences and knowledge. 

But it would be excessive to expect the outcome of just this single event to have a grand impact on what ails our cities. The SCEWC is not the place where decision making and debates take place. Important tools as they are, technology and innovation are not the silver bullet for the challenges of our urban areas. 

Cooperation Is Key

There are multiple ways to approach the challenges cities face. Take for example C40, a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. Or ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.

In that sense, it is noteworthy that Barcelona not only hosts SCEWC; our city is also the home of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), a non-profit international organization formed by representatives of local governments from around the world. A continuation of the International Municipal Movement, this entity promotes cooperation between local governments, and within the wider international community, seeks to place the local level at the heart of solutions to global issues. 

Another Barcelona-based international organization devoted to urban issues is the Urban Resilience Hub by UN Habitat. This center is described as a space for knowledge, best practices and innovation in developing the capacity of urban systems to maintain continuity. In the face of challenges derived from climate change, city resilience has become more important than ever.

Final Thoughts

In his participation in SCEWC17, Gilles Babinet, French multi-entrepreneur and France’s representative in the Digital Champions group built by the European Union, soundly said that “Smart cities are much more about culture than technology.”  

Years ago, after the dazzle of the expo had passed, what most intensely stuck with me from that SCEWC were: the stark contrast between the otherworldly technology offered in the expo in comparison to the candid recount of challenges, and the modest accomplishments of social projects running in various cities in the third world. It was a snapshot of a world that runs at different speeds. 

I've experienced the evolution of SCEWC. From the best of its first edition to becoming a reference point and dynamic hub in urban transformation.

Clearly the expo’s numbers mentioned in the beginning reflect the success of SCEWC as an event, numbers that indicate its commercial success and the benefits it has brought to the city’s economy. Again, this year, I was intrigued by the possibilities and solutions I encountered at the expo. As I ponder all I saw at the conference, I am left wondering: How much of the innovation talked about here has been incorporated into actual solutions? And, to what degree of success? How strong has the tech lever been for projects of cities trying to cope with its challenges? How much more agile, secure, and resilient are cities as a consequence? And, how many people have benefited?

You can learn more about the Smart City World Congress via its website at smartcityexpo.com or follow on Twitter at @SmartCityexpo, Facebook at @SmartCityExpoWorldCongress and Instagram at @smartcityexpo or connect on LinkedIn.

Héctor Cols is an occasional contributor to the Barcelona Metropolitan, covering human or geographical landscapes and helping with data related issues. Héctor is a curious software developer that finds no joy in conversation with Siri or Alexa and prefers to mingle with other kinds of outsiders. A fan of all things Barcelona, Héctor was in charge of the culture section of Resident Aliens, a podcast of the American Society of Barcelona.