Lead Story – Q&A
Lead Story – Q&A a situation of deep economic, social, environmental and urban decline in the 1980s to a bright present of a competitive, attractive city with a high quality of life. This recognized process of change has required an enormous effort of leadership, consensus, design and management over 2 decades. Bilbao is therefore a good example of a smart city. Obviously, it incorporates digital technologies but this is not the key theme of its success. The city has been able to maintain and update its identity, adapting its urban model to CBT the new times.
Eye on India: Spain’s Smart 7
“India is a country with huge potential for development. Its efforts around smart cities are highly valued” Headquartered in the Spanish capital Madrid, Fundación Metrópoli has positioned itself as an international reference in innovation on cities and territories. For over two decades the think tank, whose activities are based on applied research, is oriented towards contributing to the positive transformation of global cities using the philosophy of Intelligent Territories. Ignacio Alcalde Marcos, Vice President, Fundación Metrópoli, who is also an internationally renowned architect, planner, city developer and Smart Cities’ expert, offers Shrikant Rao an understanding of the Spanish interest in India’s smart urban exercise, lessons to offer and the huge collaboration possibilities. What is the view obtaining from Spain of India’s ambitious programme to develop Smart Cities? From professional and business environments in Spain, the program that is driving India for the development of Smart Cities is watched 44
with great interest. India is a country with a huge potential for development and the efforts around smart cities are highly valued. In addition, this program is seen as an opportunity for collaboration and exchange with specialised Spanish companies and professionals.
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From a Fundación Metrópoli perspective could you tell us your understanding of India’s requirements in the Smart Cities space and the opportunities for collaboration for urban experts, institutions and technology firms? We understand that it is very important www.constructionbusinesstoday.net
to design a good urban model and the strategy to carry it forward, but it is also key to understand the relationships between cities, the insertion of a city in its regional environment, the relationship with other cities and with the environment, etc. From the Metrópoli Foundation we offer our experience in these fields, regional vision and urban strategy, in connection with the experienced technological companies that can contribute to develop these initiatives.
and the welfare of society. In this sense, in Spain, our model of Mediterranean city of medium size, compact, with a mix of uses, good equipment and urban space for social coexistence and social gathering, is highly valued. We think that the most important is maintaining and enhancing this model. Technologies are not an end in themselves, but must be incorporated in the service of the urban model, with the intention of enhancing those values.
Focusing on this initiative will be a key factor for the quality of life, sustainability and competitiveness of the inhabitants of these cities and therefore a key element for the future of India.
As an architect and planner of international repute could you name some Smart City models which you would characterise as successful, which can be used as a template for emulation by India?
Based on Spain’s own experience in the construction and management of smart urban environments what are the learnings it can share with India? One of the main lessons learned is that a smart city is much more than simply applying technologies to the city. The real smart city is one that can design and implement a city project, a vision of the future. This requires strong leadership and a strong definition of the desirable urban model. The chosen urban model can contribute enormously to the quality of life goals www.constructionbusinesstoday.net
Usually the examples of Santander, Barcelona or Malaga are mentioned as successful cases of Spanish cities that have achieved a good Smart City model. And it is true that they are good examples of intelligent cities that have been able to transform themselves positively and that have incorporated digital technology advanced to their urban reality. However, I would like to point out another case that from my point of view corresponds very well with the idea of intelligent city in all its depth. The city of Bilbao has been able to evolve from
Fundación Metrópoli: An international think tank focused on helping the development of cities and regions from a perspective of innovation, sustainability and competitiveness. It collaborates with institutional leaders and leading companies in the application of concepts and technologies for the development of smart cities. Telefonica: The largest Spanish company with strength in technologies for smart cities. It offers a digital platform and solutions for different aspects of city life. Indra: One of the main global consulting and technology companies with comprehensive technological solutions in a lot of fields including urban solutions. Ikusi Velatia: A Basque company that is part of the Velatia group and has a wealth of experience in urban solutions such as city management platforms, security solutions, infrastructures, etc. Tecnalia: The largest technology center in Spain, located in the Basque Country and with a significant offer of advanced solutions around energy, construction, environment, software, mobility, smart cities, etc. Bismart: An award-winning company focused on helping decision making by transforming data into knowledge, through Big Data, Data Analytics, Next Generation Dashboards, Scorecards, Key Performance Indicators, Datawarehousing and Data Integrations. Libelium: A company with interesting solutions for smart cities focused development of technologies for the internet of things and the sensory.
Construction business today SEPTEMBER 2017
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