The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) will return from November 5-7, 2024, at the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, promising its largest edition to date. Under the theme “Live Better,” the 2024 conference is poised to explore the evolving strategies needed to transform urban centers into efficient, sustainable, and more livable spaces. With 1,100 exhibitors representing 850 cities, along with over 600 international experts and speakers, the event will act as a global platform where thought leaders, companies, and public officials can exchange ideas to shape a more ethical urban future.
The conference program is structured into eight dynamic tracks—Enabling Technologies, Energy & Environment, Mobility, Governance, Living & Inclusion, Economy, Infrastructure & Buildings, and Safety & Security. These sessions aim to address the most pressing urban challenges of our time, spotlighting innovations in governance, urban infrastructure, mobility solutions, and inclusiveness. With representatives from Argentina to Japan and Canada to Saudi Arabia, the event will offer an opportunity for cities around the world to share their latest breakthroughs in smart technologies, urban development, and policy frameworks.
Ugo Valenti, the Director of Smart City Expo, emphasizes the event’s role in facilitating urban innovation. “If we want to live better, we must rethink our way of life, leveraging technology, innovation, and collaboration,” Valenti stated. “Smart City Expo 2024 aims to improve welfare, create opportunities, and foster a better relationship with our planet and communities.” Top-tier global companies, including Microsoft, Dell/Nvidia, Saudi Aramco, Veolia, and KPMG, will be among those showcasing their latest urban technology solutions designed to enhance mobility, utilities, and citizen engagement.
A new feature of this year’s event is the Innovation Playground, a dedicated space fostering connections among start-ups, investors, research institutions, and governments. This initiative reflects the increasing importance of start-ups in the development of groundbreaking technologies, positioning them as crucial players in the smart city landscape. Another highlight will be the Barcelona Deep Tech Summit, which focuses on scientific entrepreneurship and university spin-offs, demonstrating the city’s commitment to fostering deep technological innovation.
The keynote speaker lineup includes some of the most influential voices in urban and technological studies. Ruha Benjamin, a scholar focused on the intersection of race, technology, and social justice, will address the impacts of technology-driven inequities. Majora Carter, an environmental activist renowned for her revitalization efforts in the South Bronx, will highlight the role of sustainable community development. Stephanie Hare, with expertise in public policy, human rights, and artificial intelligence, will delve into the ethical challenges associated with new technologies. Meanwhile, Melati Wijsen, co-founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags, will offer insights into youth-led sustainability movements and environmental activism.
One of the most anticipated events at the expo is the World Smart City Awards, which will recognize exceptional initiatives across nine categories, from Infrastructure & Buildings to Enabling Technologies. With a record 429 entries from 64 countries, the winners will be announced at a gala on the evening of November 6th, shining a spotlight on the most impactful projects transforming urban landscapes worldwide.
Complementing SCEWC 2024 will be three parallel congresses: Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow.Building World Congress, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy. These events will collectively address the future of urban mobility, sustainable construction, and marine-based economic growth. Tomorrow.Mobility will feature innovative approaches to autonomous vehicles, public transit systems, and last-mile logistics. Tomorrow.Building will highlight breakthroughs in decarbonized construction, urban planning, and design technology, with special focus on gender inclusion in the industry through keynote speakers like Melike Altinisik and Liselott Stenfeldt. Tomorrow.Blue Economy, supported by institutions such as the World Ocean Council and Smart Ports, will explore the untapped potential of oceans in driving sustainable economic growth, tackling issues ranging from offshore energy to biodiversity conservation and climate change.
SCEWC 2024 will thus serve as a vibrant meeting point where technology, policy, and community engagement converge to build the cities of tomorrow. By providing a collaborative platform for urban leaders, industry experts, and innovators, the event aims to draft a shared roadmap for future-ready cities that prioritize sustainability, inclusion, and well-being. The three-day congress is set to shape the future of urban living, leaving a profound mark on how we envision the modern metropolis.