{"id":751,"date":"2024-10-13T15:22:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-13T13:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gorkapradas.com\/?p=751"},"modified":"2025-05-27T12:28:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T10:28:16","slug":"special-entry-smart-city-expo-world-congress-2023-insights-final-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gorkapradas.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/13\/special-entry-smart-city-expo-world-congress-2023-insights-final-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"[Special entry] Smart City Expo World Congress 2023: Insights & Final Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This week, the Smart City Expo Congress<\/strong> finally arrived at Barcelona’s Fira, where we have had the chance to enjoy the most important mobility expo we can assist<\/strong> nowadays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been three days of exciting events, discussions, networking sessions, and venues. I enjoyed some discussions with the\u00a0Direcci\u00f3n General de Tr\u00e1fico\u00a0and Finnish exhibitors from\u00a0Business Tampere<\/a>,\u00a0Forum Virium Helsinki<\/a>, and\u00a0Turun yliopisto – University of Turku<\/a>. Despite this, I felt that some things are still missing<\/strong> in this Expo, even though it has improved significantly <\/strong>compared to last year’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are, therefore, my final thoughts<\/strong> about what happened during these three days:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toulouse M\u00e9tropole delegation and Rafel Cisa (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Missing-Gasteiz… Where is the Green Capital?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I will go first with what we have, or in this case what we do not have<\/strong>… In previous years, Vitoria-Gasteiz has had a good place during the Expo<\/strong>, as it was present both in talks and delegations. This year, though, I have not been able to find anyone<\/strong> but the teams from Mobility LAB Vitoria-Gasteiz and CEA Vitoria-Gasteiz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a lot to talk about at this Expo<\/strong>, as there has been recently inaugurated the greatest pioneer BRT system in the world<\/strong>, we continue greenifying big avenues<\/strong> like Los Herr\u00e1n and Zaramaga, and we are constantly improving our public transportation<\/strong> while the High-Speed train is arriving. Where are the specialists to talk about these?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been really interesting to have different delegations from Viladecans <\/strong>and Toulouse<\/strong> and share thoughts and experiences with them. I believe that our city has more to do<\/strong> and represent in this World Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EIT Urban Mobility Master students attending CARNET’s presentation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Welcome, students..?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I have been battling for was the ability of all students from my Master’s to be able to come to this Expo<\/strong>, which is indeed for us the most interesting and representative one<\/strong> where we can go, having the fortune to be in Barcelona!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, even though I have been there as a representative for a Spanish Federation <\/strong>FEVEMP – Federaci\u00f3n Espa\u00f1ola de Veh\u00edculos de Movilidad Personal more than as a student, I felt a lack of interest from the organisers in youngsters and future specialists.<\/strong> Some told me that they were just able to go and learn from the exhibitors and talks, but in these times that we need urgently to overcome and find good opportunities, I found this year’s Expo for students as kind of a non-well spent time…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my opinion, students and youngsters <\/strong>(there were teenagers too!) should have more opportunities to shine at the Expo<\/strong>. It can be with special events<\/strong> (like PhD ones) but it could also be great to have roundtables with both experts and interested future experts<\/strong>. Was not this future for them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find interesting research, jobs or other kinds of opportunities, we need a more improved system<\/strong> so we can go to the field\/country’s exhibitor we would like to deep into more information and, therefore, find these chances. Otherwise, all exhibitors would lose one of the most interesting potentials<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heli Ponto, from Forum Virium Helsinki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Self-esteem boost: why is Spain a specialist in demotivating its professionals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I am 24 years old, sometimes this works as a good or even a discouraging fact. In any case, I will go for this eternal debate where Spanish companies discard young profiles quite easily without taking into account their potential.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, I find it difficult for youngsters to show our merits and accomplishments<\/strong>, as we agreed on several students after talking about it. Then, when it is time to explain to anyone from outside <\/strong>the country what we do, they simply thrill out<\/strong> with what we have been doing. Thus, they try to encourage us to go to their countries<\/strong>. Why are we, in this case, so underrated <\/strong>while talking to several Spanish managers?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a fact among everyone here; Spain is a specialist in demotivating young professionals<\/strong>. Most of the time, we are not evaluated by our potential <\/strong>and simply prefer a quoted CV. Moreover, salaries for Junior workers and researchers are just a bad joke<\/strong>. Then, they put their hands on their heads about why they prefer to leave the country for better opportunities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Networking can be done in many different ways! Thank you so much, Leidy and Luisa!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CARS in the Tomorrow Mobility Congress!?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is a fact that enraged me the most about the Expo. I don’t remember too much about last year’s one whether there was any or not, but as a Master’s student in Urban Mobility<\/strong>, I felt like a punch in my face and future mobility when I saw a car dealer showing its cars (I won’t say which brand).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even hybrid or electric, this Expo must represent the future of mobility as a car-free environment<\/strong> so we can focus on micro-mobility, public transport and sustainable solutions<\/strong>. Why do we have to see cars, too, within these walls?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could understand funding issues (which therefore I would considerate as a not-so-sustainable event), but as mobility is changing<\/strong>, as people are more and more switching to public transport, bikes, eScooters and other sustainable vehicles<\/strong>, as we are trying to build green cities<\/strong> where pre- and post-emissions must be the least as possible, I cannot understand why we should allow private and particular SUVs in this Congress<\/strong>. It goes all against the Sustainable Development Goals we try to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Attending the DGT stand to discuss the future of micro-mobility<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Expo has been really exciting, though!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Compared to last year’s Congress, I have seen more dynamic events, talks and exhibitors<\/strong> than before. It is also really nice to continue making a more environmentally friendly<\/strong> Expo with biodegradable badges and several recycling containers, avoiding plastics<\/strong> even from the restaurants there were in the ‘village’ section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, I found the details and decoration of exhibitors much better <\/strong>than last year’s. All companies, whether big ones or start-ups, have had a nice-looking environment<\/strong> which of course helps <\/strong>them, especially the last ones. A good input to this year’s PuzzleX <\/strong>must be done, too! Organisation in some parts should be improved, though (I loved last year’s Congress Area for example, compared to this year’s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe the fact of being at the end of my Master’s<\/strong> has helped me be willing to make a further step and start contributing to a better world, but I found the chances for networking easier to have<\/strong>. Especially after exhibitor talks<\/strong>, which have been a great moment to overcome and have a nice talk, especially the ones in the Nordics Pavillion. However, I think there should be a more dynamic way to know where to go for exhibitor talks <\/strong>(for example, it was by luck that I found Forum Virium Helsinki’s talk on time, same with RENFE’s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Santiago Garralda, from Kunak Technologies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Conclusion: Everyone SHOULD visit the Smart City Expo World Congress at least one time in life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, as we have been discussing during these 3 days and all after that, we all agree that this Expo is a worthwhile event to visit at least once in a lifetime<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chance to see important leaders regarding Mobility and Smart Cities<\/strong>, whatever exhibitors have to show, an international and fresh ambience<\/strong>, the networking potential<\/strong>… This Expo is a great scenario of insights and outcomes for future cities and regions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, it is not just for mobility professionals<\/strong>! Engineers, climate technicians, medical professionals, business people, journalists, graphic designers, philosophers… There is a place for everyone in this Congress!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, overall, there is just one thing to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come next year to the Smart City Expo World Congress 2024!<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Thanks to Ubiwhere for the sparkling wine!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Special thanks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Expo has been especially great after knowing so many incredibly outstanding profiles of professionals! It would not have been the same without you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all<\/strong>, thanks to my great companion Rafel Cisa for the moments and help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then<\/strong>, thanks to Santiago Garralda from Kunak Technologies SL for your welcoming messages and coffee! Thanks also to the people in the stands of Direcci\u00f3n General de Tr\u00e1fico, RENFE, Sener, TECNALIA Research & Innovation, Sagal\u00e9s, SIALTRONICA | Smart solutions to light up road marking for your explanations and interesting solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many thanks<\/strong> to the excellent team from Smart City Expo Santiago del Estero for your great vibes and positivity! We will see soon in Termas del R\u00edo Hondo!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More deeply<\/strong>, thank you Luisa Fernanda Caldas Baham\u00f3n, Leidy Johanna Forero, Bertrand Serp, Ivo De Geus, Luca Liebscht and Eduard Parera Mart\u00ednez for the great moments and interesting discussions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally<\/strong>, thank you so much to the experts and representants from Business Tampere, Turun yliopisto – University of Turku and Forum Virium Helsinki for your time and availability<\/strong> to explain your programs as well as explain my concerns and eagerness to work and research in Finland<\/strong>! Special thanks to Jussi Knuuttila, Tero Kyckling, Riikka Lindsten, Alisa Jashari, Elina Uusitalo, Jari Kuusisto, Kaisa Ahonen and more for your attention and kindness<\/strong>. We might see each other soon!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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