SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES

SMART AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Introduction to the programme

Cities and digitalization: partnering up to deliver systemic solutions 

Cities are home to more than half of the global population and account for more than 70% of final global energy consumption and these figures are expected to rise. The climate and energy challenge is an urban one, and cities are essential to achieve a sustainable transition to a climate neutral, resilient world.   
Cities can lead by example, they are not only administrators ensuring fruition of key services to their community, but they are catalysts for action, innovation hubs, and true solutions’ providers.  

As urban systems become increasingly complex and multi-faceted, the “cities track” of Digital with Purpose aims to offer a platform  for policy makers and digitalization leaders alike to discuss holistic approaches enabled by digital solutions that can respond to cities’ needs to build, operate, and maintain sustainable and future-proofed infrastructures.  

The plenary sessions of the “cities track” will explore the nexus between digitalization and the growing interconnection of urban infrastructure and services, delving into both the opportunities and the risks for urban infrastructures. 

Featuring a series of panels the cities track is articulated to provide a platform to discuss readily available solutions, as well as needs and innovation gaps, to respond to the most urgent challenges faced by cities to accelerate the implementation of their net-zero pathways. 

Digital solutions, collaborations, innovative governance and financing approaches will be presented and discussed throughout the sessions. The conversation will offer cross-cutting insights on  the role of digital solutions in advancing cities’ journey to a net-zero, resilient future, singling out new and ambitious ways forward to build effective partnerships and reach this goal. 

 
 

SMART CITIES AGENDA

09 July – 11 July 2024

9 July

Moderation: Giorgia Rambelli, Director, Urban Transitions Mission

SPEAKERS:

  1. Fernando Reino da Costa, CEO, Unipartner
  2. Nisreen Dauod, Director Sustainability Department, Greater Amman, Jordan
  3. Angelo Fienga, Director, Sustainable Solutions, Cisco EMEAR
  4. João Dinis, Office Coordinator, Cascais, Portugal
  5. Jeff Merrit, Head of Centre for Urban Transformation, World Economic Forum

Cities are leveraging digitalization to improve services and infrastructure efficiency but face risks like cybersecurity and privacy breaches. This session will address the challenges and opportunities of digitalization, focusing on sustainable smart city design and governance. It will also explore solutions for managing integration, interoperability, and data to mitigate vulnerabilities while enhancing urban systems.

10 July

Moderation: Henriette Barkvoll Holsta, Director, Value Creation & BXT Deals Director, PwC

Moderation: Giorgia Rambelli, Director, Urban Transitions Mission

SPEAKERS: 

  1. Massamba Thyoie, Manager, UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub
  2. Susana Graça, Head of the Planning and Social Network Division, City of Cascais (Portugal)
  3. Manuel de Araujo, Mayor, City of Quelimane, Mozambique

This session will explore digital solutions for bridging social divides, focusing on participation, education, and inclusiveness in cities. It aims to prevent digital inequalities and includes role-playing to test community-focused solutions. The target audience includes policymakers, urban planners, and tech innovators.

Moderation: Tom Moran, Technology and Sustainability Consulting Principal, Colt Technology Services

SPEAKERS:

  1. Doug Arent, Executive Director, Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  2. Mark Atherton, Director of Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
  3. Chris White, President, NEC Laboratories America
  4. Shri M. Thennarasan, IAS. Municipal Commissioner Ahmedabad, India

The push for decarbonization increases electricity demand and system complexity. Cities are using digitalization and AI to optimize energy systems and integrate renewables. However, these technologies raise environmental concerns, such as high energy and water use. This session will discuss using digitalization and AI to enhance energy efficiency while mitigating their environmental impact.​

Moderation: Giorgia Rambelli, Director, Urban Transitions Mission

SPEAKERS:

  1. Doug Arent, Executive Director, Strategic Public-Private Partnerships, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  2. Mark Atherton, Director of Environment, Greater Manchester Combined Authority 
  3. Shri M. Thennarasan, IAS Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad, India
  4. Nisreen Dauod, Director Sustainability Department, Greater Amman, Jordan

The session will provide real-time insights for policymakers through a digital twins demonstration for selected cities, discussing data access and forecasting with examples of data-driven policymaking.

11 July

Moderation: Davide Cassanmagnago, Senior Manager, Global Covenant of Mayors

SPEAKERS:

  1. Manuel de Araujo, Mayor, City of Quelimane, Mozambique
  2. Victoria Itskovych, Chief Information Officer, Kyiv City Council, Ukraine (TBC)
  3. Luís Capão, Chairman, Cascais Ambiente
  4. Massamba Thyoie, Manager, UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub

This session will address how digitalization aids cities in combating climate change by improving early warning systems and enhancing local resilience through monitoring,modeling,and digital twins. It will discuss the challenges of developing these digital solutions, the costs involved, and the consequences of inaction. The session will also showcase how technology can foster community engagement, decision-making, and resilience.

Moderation: Sandra Fazenda de Almeida, Executive Director, APDC

SPEAKERS:

  1. Rafael Gonzales, CMO, MedUX
  2. Elena Contioso-Fleming, Regional Director South, EIT
  3. Joe Lynch, Intl Unit Analyst ComReg and Co-Chair BEREC

Achieving the twinning of digital and green transitions is considered a key factor in Europe’s digitalisation. The enabling power of ICT technology in green transformation is called the carbon handprint. According to figures from the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), the carbon handprint of ICT could be ten times (10x) that of its footprint by 2030. Unleash the power of connectivity will not only support the green transformation but also improve the competitiveness of European ICT industry.

The European Commission published a public consultation on the future of connectivity on February 21st 2024. This public consultation is the first step towards laying out the framework of a future Digital Networks Act (DNA) that will be a key priority for the next European Commission. Improving high speed connectivity levels across Europe will be a key future driver of growth and jobs. Building stronger connectivity in Europe must and can be achieved through innovation and sustainability.

This session aims to delve into the pivotal role of connectivity in advancing green transformation and enhancing competitive advantage across industries. Join us to explore the defining factors of a sustainable network, understand the most advanced innovative ICT solutions in empowering sustainability and learn from real-world success cases from vertical industries.

Moderation: Davide Cassanmagnago, Senior Manager, Global Covenant of Mayors

SPEAKERS:

  1. James Evans, Director of Manchester Urban Institute, Frontiers
  2. George Kibala Bauer, Director Digital Utilities, GSMA
  3. Kate Meyer, Founder and CEO, Planetary Accounting

Moderated discussion bringing together UTM cities, private sector and academia partners. Innovation leaders and solutions providers are invited to share their insights on next steps and essential R&I and deployment priorities identified.