It is a common misconception that technology is the sole factor in the development of a city. Sensors, connected infrastructures, and artificial intelligence are just a few of the key components that contribute to the development of a smart city. It is important to remember that technology is a tool, not an end in itself. The true intelligence of a territory is contingent upon the individuals who comprise it. It is essential that citizens are involved and engaged, and that the private sector plays a role that extends beyond mere prosperity. Today, I invite you to explore the reasons why and the ways in which citizen involvement and public-private collaboration are the foundations of tomorrow’s Smart City. I will also show how these elements contribute to the transition to a Cognitive City—a city that learns, constantly improves, and proactively adapts to the needs of its inhabitants.
Citizen involvement: a voice that makes the city
In a smart city, citizens are not simply passive users of urban services. It is essential that they be at the center of the decision-making process. Ensuring that technology and urban projects align with the genuine needs and expectations of the population hinges on citizen involvement. Active citizen participation is also a fundamental aspect of a Cognitive City, where the city learns and adapts based on feedback from its inhabitants, thereby becoming more resilient and adaptive. In this context, tools such as liquid democracy become invaluable. This hybrid form of representative and direct democracy allows each citizen to delegate their vote on a specific subject to someone more expert, while retaining the option of taking back their voice. This encourages flexible involvement, tailored to the skills and interests of each individual.
However, it should be noted that liquid democracy is only one approach. Public consultations are also an essential element in the process, allowing all stakeholders to contribute to the design of urban spaces and public policies. In Barcelona, digital platforms have been leveraged to gather thousands of suggestions on neighborhood planning, demonstrating the potential of technology as a powerful engagement tool. Concurrently, citizen volunteering allows those who wish to become actively involved to contribute to tangible projects within their community. These may include shared gardens, local initiatives for soft mobility, or the establishment of coworking spaces. These forms of involvement reinforce the collective intelligence of a Cognitive City, where every contribution is valued to improve the quality of life for all.
Public-private collaboration: social ties as a shared challenge
The other essential component of a smart city is collaboration between the public and private sectors. This collaboration must extend beyond the provision of services or infrastructure. It must be a genuine alliance for the common good, with each party fulfilling a role in strengthening social ties and contributing to a collective social mission. In a Cognitive City, this cooperation allows for the leveraging of innovation and data to anticipate and address citizens’ needs, thereby building a more proactive and resilient city.
It is incumbent upon companies operating in a Cognitive City to recognize that their role extends beyond mere profit generation. They bear a responsibility to the community, and the Smart City presents an opportunity to actualize this social mission. In South Africa, for instance, partnerships between local governments and technology companies have led to the establishment of digital hubs in underprivileged neighborhoods, offering young people access to training and career prospects. This form of collaboration reinforces social resilience, narrows digital divides, and fosters the emergence of local talent.
In Singapore, public-private partnerships have been established under the “Smart Nation” initiative to develop programs that enhance the well-being of citizens. These include connected healthcare systems and mobility management platforms. These partnerships demonstrate that a smart territory is not merely a question of futuristic technology; rather, it is a vision that prioritizes the well-being of its people.
Broad and balanced involvement: the secret of a vibrant city
The key to a vibrant and inclusive city is citizen involvement that is both broad and balanced. This entails engaging with voices that are typically underrepresented, such as through extensive citizen consultations, random selection, or participatory workshops held in neighborhoods that are frequently overlooked by public policies. The more citizens are involved, the more the city becomes a dynamic entity, capable of adapting to the changing needs of its inhabitants.
This same philosophy must also be applied to the private sector. It is not enough for companies to innovate; they must also get involved in the community, participate in local initiatives, and contribute to social development. A truly inclusive city, and above all a cognitive city, is one in which every player, whether institutional, private, or citizen, finds its place and has a role to play. This transition to a cognitive city relies on the ability of each participant to actively contribute to urban development, creating an ecosystem that constantly learns and evolves.
My vision of an inclusive city
I have long held the view that cities can only become truly smart through collective intelligence. It is not technology or infrastructure that creates the magic of a territory; it is the active, balanced participation of all its stakeholders. The key to transforming a city into a truly intelligent and inclusive living space is to involve citizens, draw on the skills of the private sector, and create links between them. We must build territories where every voice counts and every contribution is valued.
