The Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), a leading global event focused on urban solutions, has revealed the first keynote speakers for its 2024 edition. Organised by Fira de Barcelona, the event will feature over 600 experts and take place from November 5-7 at the Gran Via venue in Barcelona. The conference will be held under the theme “Live Better,” addressing how cities can become more livable and sustainable.
Among the first speakers announced are Ruha Benjamin, Majora Carter, and Stephanie Hare, each bringing their expertise in areas ranging from social justice and urban revitalisation to the ethical use of technology. Their inclusion highlights a strong focus on ensuring that ethical development remains at the forefront of future urban planning.
Ruha Benjamin, a scholar at Princeton University, is well-known for her work on the intersection of race, technology, and society. Her research explores how emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, impact social justice and equity, with a particular focus on technology-based inequity. Benjamin’s work emphasises the need for cities to adopt technological solutions that do not exacerbate existing societal inequalities.
Majora Carter, an urban revitalisation strategist from the South Bronx in New York, is widely recognised for her efforts in environmental advocacy and sustainable economic development. Through her initiatives, Carter has transformed neglected urban areas into vibrant green spaces, promoting equitable community engagement. She has received awards from the National Geographic Society and the Environmental Protection Agency for her pioneering work.
Stephanie Hare, a researcher and commentator on the societal impacts of technology, has focused much of her career on public policy, data privacy, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Hare advocates for policies that promote fairness, protect individual rights, and ensure that technological advancements benefit society as a whole. Her insights on data privacy and surveillance are especially pertinent in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The SCEWC 2024 will centre its discussions around eight key tracks: Enabling Technologies, Energy & Environment, Mobility, Governance, Living & Inclusion, Economy, Infrastructure & Buildings, and Safety & Security. The aim is to address a wide range of issues that modern cities face and explore innovative solutions to enhance urban living.
In addition to the talks, the event will feature an exhibition area with 1,100 exhibitors, including leading companies, cities, and institutions from across the world. Organisations such as Saudi Aramco, Microsoft, PWC, and Veolia will present their projects and solutions for smart city development. The exhibition will provide a platform for participants to share best practices and explore cutting-edge urban innovations.
As part of its broader focus on sustainable urban development, SCEWC 2024 will run alongside Tomorrow.Mobility, an event co-organised by Fira de Barcelona and EIT Urban Mobility, which will explore the future of urban transport. The event will also see the return of Tomorrow.Building, focusing on construction innovation, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy, which highlights the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth.
SCEWC 2024 will introduce the Innovation Playground, a space designed to connect the global innovation ecosystem. This area will bring together startups, investors, governments, corporations, and research centres to foster collaboration and showcase the latest advancements in smart urban technologies.
As the world’s cities continue to expand, SCEWC 2024 aims to drive the conversation on how technological innovation and ethical development can shape the future of urban life, creating more equitable, sustainable, and liveable cities.
