Smart in the City – The BABLE Podcast

BABLE Smart Cities

Hop on the journey toward a better urban life and hear from top actors in the Smart City arena about stakeholders and themes most prevalent for today's citizens and tomorrow's generations. At BABLE, through our platform and services, we enable processes from research and strategy development to co-creation and implementation. Visit us at www.bable-smartcities.eu

  1. #172 Kansas City: Beyond the Shiny AI Widget

    11h ago

    #172 Kansas City: Beyond the Shiny AI Widget

    Kansas City is not chasing AI hype. Instead, Andrew Ngui, Chief Digital Officer of Kansas City, Missouri, United States, is focused on the essential work that makes artificial intelligence functional in local government: aligning data, processes, and people. In this episode, we explore what lies beneath every successful AI implementation. Through Kansas City's work with the Bloomberg City Data Alliance and their 311 service redesign, Andrew reveals the real challenges facing city governments adopting AI. He challenges the sector's obsession with technological solutions and redirects attention to what truly matters: organisational change, staff readiness, and the psychological safety required for innovation to take root. We also discuss the risks often left unspoken: the unintended consequences of automation, the value of thinking time embedded in routine work, and why human-to-human connection should never be outsourced to machines. Andrew shares practical tools developed through the Gov AI Coalition to help cities move beyond pilots, and why meaningful work built on autonomy, mastery, and purpose is the real driver of transformation. A conversation about what it actually takes to implement AI responsibly in cities, and why the future belongs to those who think before they deploy. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:34) - Teaser question: what's the most very human problem in your city that you, you never dare hand to an AI machine or anything like that?(00:04:38) - Guest background(00:07:04) - Introducing Kansas City(00:09:19) - Improving 311 Services(00:15:51) - Risks of AI Implementation(00:18:53) - GovAI Coalition Tools(00:22:27) - Human Readiness for AI(00:25:54) - Removing Structural Barriers(00:28:48) - Effective Vendor Partnerships(00:33:27) - Unintended AI Consequences(00:37:55) - Segment: Hot Take of the Day(00:38:48) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    41 min
  2. #171 Folgaria: Climate Solutions for Alpine Communities

    May 27

    #171 Folgaria: Climate Solutions for Alpine Communities

    Michael Rech, Mayor of Folgaria, manages one of Italy's most dynamic Alpine municipalities. Located in the Dolomites, Folgaria welcomes 2 million visitors annually while maintaining a permanent population of just 3,000 residents spread across 33 villages. This creates a unique tension: balancing climate commitments with the realities of a tourism-dependent economy. In this episode, Michael explores how small mountain municipalities can turn climate goals into everyday action. He discusses practical strategies for energy efficiency in public buildings, innovative water management systems that respond to Folgaria's unique geography, and sustainable mobility solutions tailored to Alpine terrain. Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasises the importance of collaboration and long-term partnerships in overcoming resource constraints. The episode reveals how small municipalities can move beyond theoretical planning to deliver concrete results, even with limited budgets and administrative capacity. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:15) - Teaser question: if you have a fun fact, or maybe a very little known fact about Folgaria.(00:02:47) - Guest background(00:04:55) - Municipality Day-to-Day Reality(00:06:36) - Everyday Climate Action(00:07:54) - Balancing Local Pressures(00:09:45) - Energy Efficiency Upgrades(00:12:58) - Water Infrastructure Challenges(00:16:14) - Low-Impact Mobility Strategy(00:20:52) - Small Municipality Challenges(00:21:45) - Overcoming Implementation Barriers(00:23:57) - Approaching Meaningful Collaboration(00:27:25) - Segment: Shout Out(00:28:42) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    31 min
  3. #170 Urban Innovation Vienna: Action and Adaptation

    May 20

    #170 Urban Innovation Vienna: Action and Adaptation

    In this episode, recorded in collaboration with the Urban Future 2026 conference in Ljubljana, we travel to Vienna, Austria, to discuss practical climate action. Our guest, Johannes Lutter, Head of International Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Urban Innovation Vienna, shares how the city implements its Smart Climate City Strategy. We explore the balance between climate protection and adaptation, highlighting initiatives like public cooling zones designed to combat urban heat and prevent social isolation for vulnerable residents. Johannes also outlines the massive challenge of transitioning 600,000 households from gas heating to renewable alternatives by 2040. Additionally, we look into how Vienna fosters co-creation through the Vienna Climate Teams and builds strategic partnerships with academia and the private sector to scale sustainable solutions across the urban landscape. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:45) - Teaser question: What kind of public space most feels like Vienna?(00:03:28) - Guest background(00:04:45) - Smart Climate City Strategy(00:06:31) - Infrastructure Traditions and Challenges(00:08:20) - Climate Adaptation and Heatwaves(00:10:35) - Translating Goals to Standards(00:13:30) - Genuinely Useful Public Participation(00:16:58) - Strategic Institutional Partnerships(00:20:08) - Prioritisation and Political Action(00:23:17) - Scaling Beyond Pilot Projects(00:26:05) - Segment: Top or Flop(00:29:15) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    31 min
  4. #169 Celje: A Collaborative Model for Urban Innovation

    May 13

    #169 Celje: A Collaborative Model for Urban Innovation

    In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 Urban Future conference in Ljubljana, we head to Celje, Slovenia. We are joined by Monika Tominšek, Head of Development, Projects and Economy Office, and Tanja Tamše, Expert Associate in the Department for Development, Projects and Economy at the Municipality of Celje. Together, they discuss what it takes to build urban change with people, rather than just for them. The conversation explores the EU-supported MAG-NET project, which addresses the challenge of brain drain by working to retain local talent. Our guests detail how they make public participation a continuous part of urban governance, from testing ideas with citizens to forming strong alliances across public institutions. Listen in to discover how Celje is translating long-term visions into concrete actions to shape better Smart Cities. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:29) - Teaser question: Do you have a fun or little-known fact about Celje?(00:03:34) - Guest background(00:07:33) - Discovering Celje(00:10:17) - The MAG-NET Project(00:15:29) - Public Participation Strategies(00:23:57) - Long-Term City Vision(00:31:48) - Segment: Flip the Script(00:35:24) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    38 min
  5. #168 Mannheim: From Participation to Ownership

    May 6

    #168 Mannheim: From Participation to Ownership

    In this episode, recorded live at the Urban Future 2026 conference in Ljubljana, we explore the evolving landscape of Mannheim's inner city. Our guest, Petar Drakul, City Centre Commissioner and Head of FutuRaum for the City of Mannheim, Germany, shares insights into navigating complex urban transformations. We discuss the critical difference between merely participating in a process and taking genuine ownership of it. Petar explains how his team brought together over 30 diverse stakeholders to build a shared vision before implementing concrete measures. From creating collaborative greening projects to rethinking public spaces, this episode unpacks the practical realities of engaging local communities. Join us to learn why early involvement and empathy are essential for shaping the Smart Cities of tomorrow. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:21) - Teaser question: explain to me the soul of the city of Mannheim.(00:02:45) - Guest background(00:04:17) - Urgent City Centre Change(00:05:59) - Involving Local Stakeholders(00:08:01) - Creating a Shared Vision(00:11:18) - Reaching Community Agreements(00:14:22) - The Cost of Transformation(00:16:23) - Managing Municipal Budgets(00:19:29) - Engaging Missing Stakeholders(00:24:14) - Handling Community Resistance(00:26:39) - Next Steps for Futuraum(00:31:34) - Segment: Flip the script(00:34:13) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    36 min
  6. #167 Toronto: Capturing Collective Intelligence

    Apr 29

    #167 Toronto: Capturing Collective Intelligence

    Recorded live at the 2026 edition of the Urban Future conference in Ljubljana, this episode explores how the City of Toronto, Canada, is rethinking public engagement. Our guest, Daniel Fusca, Manager of Public Consultation, Parks and Recreation at the City of Toronto and Urbanist-in-Residence at the University of Toronto School of Cities, shares his approach to treating the public as a true delivery partner. As democracies face declining public trust and growing polarisation, Daniel explains why traditional consultation methods need to be updated. He details how Toronto uses deliberative tools, such as civic lotteries and citizens' assemblies, to bring representative, diverse groups of residents into complex decision-making processes. By sharing accountability and guiding communities through difficult trade-offs, local governments can build resilient decisions that stand the test of time. Tune in to learn how to effectively capture the collective intelligence of your city. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:58) - Teaser question: So if you had to describe Toronto using only three emojis, which ones would you pick?(00:03:16) - Guest background(00:05:07) - Toronto's Growth And Diversity(00:06:58) - Declining Public Trust(00:09:16) - Public As Delivery Partner(00:12:05) - West End Case Study(00:17:27) - Citizens Assemblies(00:26:40) - Rebuilding Public Trust(00:28:34) - Private-Public Partnerships(00:31:34) - Segment: Hot take of the day(00:33:30) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    35 min
  7. #166 Riga: Smart Consolidation in a Shrinking City

    Apr 22

    #166 Riga: Smart Consolidation in a Shrinking City

    In this episode, recorded in collaboration with the Urban Future conference at their 2026 edition in Ljubljana, we sit down with Signe Pērkone, Senior Project Leader and Architect at the City Development Department of the Municipality of Riga, Latvia. While many urban areas plan for continuous growth, Riga faces a different reality: a shrinking population. Signe explains what smart consolidation looks like on the ground, focusing on the strategic development of neighbourhood centres to ensure accessible local services. We explore the use of spatial development plans as negotiation tools to align the public and municipal departments. Signe also shares why flexible planning is essential for adapting to changing circumstances and discusses the practical challenges of handing a masterplan over for implementation. Join us to learn how Riga is consolidating its resources to build a resilient urban environment. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:50) - Teaser question: If you had a superpower to help you with your daily work for the city, which one would it be and why?(00:03:06) - Guest background(00:07:10) - Riga's Urban History(00:11:32) - Smart Consolidation Strategies(00:13:28) - Neighbourhood Centre Plans(00:18:24) - Flexible Urban Planning(00:22:26) - Implementation Challenges(00:30:19) - Segment: Roll with the punches(00:33:34) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    36 min
  8. #165 Porto Vivo: Rehabilitating the Historic Centre

    Apr 15

    #165 Porto Vivo: Rehabilitating the Historic Centre

    In this special episode, recorded live in collaboration with the Urban Future conference at their 2026 edition in Ljubljana, we explore the complexities of urban rehabilitation in Porto. We are joined by Ricardo Ferreira da Silva, Programme Manager at Porto Vivo Urban Rehabilitation Society in Portugal. We discuss the challenge of caring for a historic centre while protecting its identity and ensuring it remains a liveable space for residents. Ricardo shares insights into the fragile balance between preserving authenticity and managing the pressures of tourism. The conversation also covers strategies to attract families back to the city centre, the importance of cross-departmental coordination, and how blended-finance models are utilised to support affordable housing and mixed-use spaces. Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it! Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page. And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:04:03) - Guest background(00:06:07) - Living in Historic Porto(00:08:04) - Cross-Department City Collaboration(00:11:40) - Revitalizing City Neighborhoods(00:13:47) - Balancing Tourism and Housing(00:16:35) - Funding and Private Partnerships(00:19:28) - Porto's Core Urban Challenges(00:23:51) - Adapting Plans to Reality(00:26:59) - Lessons for Other Cities(00:33:56) - Segment: Shout Out(00:37:20) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    40 min
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Hop on the journey toward a better urban life and hear from top actors in the Smart City arena about stakeholders and themes most prevalent for today's citizens and tomorrow's generations. At BABLE, through our platform and services, we enable processes from research and strategy development to co-creation and implementation. Visit us at www.bable-smartcities.eu

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