Opinion and Analysis

Automation in city administration is not about replacing civil servants; it’s about augmenting their capabilities. Routine, repetitive, and rule-based tasks, such as document verification, appointment scheduling, and data entry, can be handled by AI-powered systems with greater accuracy and speed. This frees human workers to focus on strategic, creative, and empathetic functions that require judgment and communication. The result is a shift from bureaucratic management…

  The Internet of Things provides the senses of the city. Millions of connected sensors gather continuous data on air quality, mobility, energy use, and infrastructure performance. This vast network creates a digital mirror of urban life, a living system that perceives every fluctuation in the urban environment. But perception without understanding is not intelligence. That’s where artificial intelligence comes in: it provides the mind…

Data is the currency of the smart city. Every sensor, mobile device, and connected service generates information that helps urban systems become more efficient, sustainable, and responsive. Traffic lights adjust dynamically, waste collection is optimized, energy grids self-balance , all thanks to the constant flow of data. Yet behind this technological progress lies a growing concern: how much of this data comes from citizens, and…

  The recent election of Zohran Mamdani as the mayor of New York has sparked widespread conversation among municipal leaders and experts attending the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona. His victory has been celebrated not only for his progressive agenda but also for his ability to forge a strong, direct connection with voters through transparent communication and a focus on everyday urban challenges…