Smart in the City – The BABLE Podcast

BABLE Smart Cities
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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

  1. #155 Sustainable Cities: Prioritising Simplicity in Urban Strategy

    3D AGO

    #155 Sustainable Cities: Prioritising Simplicity in Urban Strategy

    In this episode, recorded live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we travel to France to explore a pragmatic vision for sustainable urban development. We are joined by Gérard Wolf, Special Advisor for Smart & Sustainable Cities to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, who shares the French approach to building resilient cities based on four essential services: energy, water, waste management, and transportation. Gérard discusses why simplicity must be prioritised over complex technological fixes and how this mindset drove the massive decarbonisation efforts behind the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. We also delve into the importance of the circular economy, specifically the strategic shift from demolition to retrofitting existing buildings. Finally, the conversation highlights a crucial human-centric challenge: ensuring that Smart City progress does not leave behind those living in informal settlements, making inclusivity a global priority. 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(00:01:46) - Four Essential Urban Services(00:05:31) - Teaser question: Impact, Simplicity, Cost or time?(00:06:46) - Guest background(00:09:07) - Integrating Essential Services(00:11:30) - Fast Wins vs Deep Transformation(00:14:20) - Decarbonizing the Paris Olympics(00:19:45) - Scaling Circular Solutions(00:24:16) - Retrofitting and Material Reuse(00:29:13) - Addressing Slums and Inequality(00:33:18) - Segment: Shout Out(00:38:05) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    43 min
  2. #154 Bologna: Homegrown Digital Twins & Civic Action

    JAN 7

    #154 Bologna: Homegrown Digital Twins & Civic Action

    In this episode, we travel to Italy with Francesco Leonardo Nelli, Coordinator of the International Relations Unit at the City of Bologna. Recorded live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we discuss how the city leverages its strong cooperative spirit to drive modern innovation. The conversation highlights Bologna's distinct approach to technology. Rather than purchasing standard solutions, the city is developing a homegrown Digital Twin from scratch to ensure it fits local needs, with initial use cases focused on mobility. Francesco also discusses the role of the Foundation for Urban Innovation in bridging the gap between the administration and residents, illustrated by the "School Squares" project that reclaims space for children. Join us to learn how Bologna balances its rich history with future-ready strategies through city diplomacy and active civic listening. 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(00:02:02) - Teaser question: If Bologna were an animal, which animal would it be and why?(00:03:27) - Guest background(00:05:36) - Bologna's Unique Atmosphere(00:06:39) - Civic Participation in Bologna(00:07:38) - The Role of City Diplomacy(00:08:59) - Listening to Citizen Needs(00:10:23) - Developing a Local Digital Twin(00:12:05) - Digital Twin Use Cases(00:14:01) - Facing Global Urban Challenges(00:15:21) - Governance and Taking Risks(00:17:05) - School Squares Experimentation(00:18:49) - How Companies Can Collaborate(00:21:51) - Segment: Inspire Us(00:23:54) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    26 min
  3. #153 LOTI: Improving Public Services with Data & Collaboration

    12/17/2025

    #153 LOTI: Improving Public Services with Data & Collaboration

    In this episode, recorded live at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we are joined by Eddie Copeland, Director, and Genta Hajri, Digital Innovation Delivery Lead at the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI). London consists of 33 separate administrative areas, which can often lead to fragmented public services. Eddie and Genta explain how LOTI acts as a collaborative layer, helping boroughs use data, technology, and innovation to solve shared challenges together. The conversation covers impactful initiatives such as 'Get Online London', the city's digital inclusion service, and how improved data sharing is ensuring vulnerable children are auto-enrolled for free school meals. We also explore the practical application of AI in social care to support workflows while maintaining human accountability, and the team's unique use of immersive theatre to build empathy and better partnerships between the public and private sectors. 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) - From the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona to London(00:03:22) - Our guests' backgrounds: meet Eddie & Genta(00:06:17) - What LOTI does (and how it makes collaboration actually happen)(00:10:13) - Digital inclusion, made real: the Get Online London playbook(00:13:49) - Better data, better outcomes: tackling rough sleeping & free school meals(00:17:45) - AI beyond the hype: practical wins, real risks, and public trust(00:26:23) - What’s next for LOTI: constraints, advice to suppliers, and lessons learned(00:34:36) - Podcast Segment: Flip the Script(00:38:41) - Recurring Question: To you, what is a Smart City?

    41 min
  4. #152 Sagunto: The New Mediterranean Hub for Electromobility

    12/10/2025

    #152 Sagunto: The New Mediterranean Hub for Electromobility

    In this episode, recorded live at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we sit down with Darío Moreno, Mayor of the Municipality of Sagunto, Spain. He shares the story of how his city secured a historic €3 billion investment for a Volkswagen battery gigafactory, positioning Sagunto as a key player in Europe's reindustrialisation. Our guest explains the "leap of faith" required to develop 5 million square meters of industrial land in record time and how this project is transforming the local economy. He also discusses the unique challenge of governing a city with two distinct souls, the 3,000 year old historic centre and the industrial port, while managing housing pressures and mobility. We also dive into his background as a United Nations lawyer, his call for stronger multilateralism, and why he compares Sagunto's bright future to a blooming orchid. 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 (00:01:38) - Teaser question: If you would have to describe Sagunto as a plant, which plant would it be and why?(00:02:13) - Guest background(00:05:02) - 00:05:02(00:07:02) - Managing Two Urban Identities(00:10:34) - Volkswagen Battery Gigafactory(00:16:13) - European Reindustrialization Strategy(00:18:37) - Mediterranean Electromobility Hub(00:21:49) - Negotiating Large Investments(00:26:55) - Challenges in Housing and Mobility(00:29:44) - Segment: Shout Out(00:33:55) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    36 min
  5. #151 Chevigny Saint-Sauveur: Du bon sens local aux grandes transitions

    12/03/2025

    #151 Chevigny Saint-Sauveur: Du bon sens local aux grandes transitions

    Dans cet épisode, Guillaume Ruet, maire de Chevigny-Saint-Sauveur et conseiller départemental de la Côte-d’Or, partage sa vision d’une ville à taille humaine qui refuse d’être une simple cité-dortoir en périphérie de Dijon. La conversation aborde ses quatre grandes priorités : sécurité et tranquillité du quotidien, transition écologique ambitieuse (écoles rénovées, patrimoine décarboné, milliers d’arbres plantés), soutien aux familles et aux aînés avec la démarche « ville amie des aînés », et lutte contre le décrochage civique l’incivisme par une « démocratie implicative » où chacun contribue. Il revient aussi sur l’aide aux commerces locaux en temps de crise, le rôle du sport comme politique de santé et de cohésion, et sa définition très humaine de la Smart City : anticiper les besoins de demain, impliquer les habitants et refuser le « ce n’est pas possible ». 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

    56 min
  6. #150 Cascais: "Smart with a Soul", From Data to Trust

    11/26/2025

    #150 Cascais: "Smart with a Soul", From Data to Trust

    In this episode, Isaac Silveira, Municipal Director of the Department of Communication, Technology and Image at the Municipality of Cascais, Portugal, paints for us the portrait of Cascais as a “human” Smart City, where technology is a tool to strengthen relationships, build trust and improve daily life for residents, workers, students and visitors. Our guest explains how the Cascais Operations Centre and Cascais BI enable real-time, data-driven decisions, while the open GeoCascais platform empowers citizens with transparent spatial information. He also discusses tourism management, sustainability on the Atlantic coast, breaking silos inside the municipality, and his vision of being “smart with a soul” – combining digital intelligence, social inclusion and environmental resilience for future generations. 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 (00:02:40) - Teaser question: If Cascais were an animal, which animal would it be?(00:04:20) - Guest background(00:07:11) - Cascais’ Unique Smart DNA(00:10:06) - Implementing Smart City Strategy(00:12:22) - The Cascais Operations Center(00:16:24) - Citizen-Centric Innovation(00:21:36) - Solutions for Resilience and Sustainability(00:25:33) - Geo Cascais Digital Platform(00:30:15) - Governance and Breaking Silos(00:32:40) - Measuring Impact Through Data(00:36:31) - Future Challenges and Collaboration(00:39:13) - Segment: Top or Flop(00:42:40) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    46 min
  7. #149 Sønderborg & Danfoss: How Public-Private Partnerships Drive Net Zero

    11/19/2025

    #149 Sønderborg & Danfoss: How Public-Private Partnerships Drive Net Zero

    In this episode recorded live at the RethinkCities Summit 2025, Allan Pilgaard-Jensen, Managing Director of ProjectZero for the City of Sønderborg, Denmark, and Drew Turner, Director of Global Decarbonisation Solutions at Danfoss, share how Sønderborg is working towards carbon neutrality by 2029 through a long-standing public-private partnership. The conversation explores why successful energy transitions are “80% people and 20% technology,” highlighting the importance of governance “hotspots,” stakeholder ownership and clear business cases for every project. They discuss Sønderborg’s “lighthouse” initiatives that link hospitals, data centres and industries through district energy and heat recovery systems, showing how concept designs and shared master plans avoid silos and build momentum. Allan and Drew also reflect on replicating this model in larger cities, the economics of the final 10% of decarbonisation, including carbon capture, and why collaboration and realistic payback are crucial to scaling climate action. Throughout, they stress that Smart Cities thrive when plans turn into projects with shared benefits for people and business alike. 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 (00:02:47) - Teaser question: If Project Zero were a band or an orchestra, which instrument would you play?(00:04:12) - Guest background(00:06:14) - Describing Sonderborg Municipality(00:07:34) - Project Zero's Ambitions(00:10:48) - Danfoss' Role and Challenges(00:12:48) - Creating Lighthouse Projects(00:14:31) - Sustaining Long-Term Commitment(00:17:40) - Governance and Stakeholder Management(00:21:07) - From Strategy to Implementation(00:22:36) - Replicating in Larger Cities(00:25:40) - Approaching Cities Correctly(00:28:53) - Overcoming Financial Barriers(00:36:44) - Segment: Flip the Script(00:40:38) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    44 min
  8. #148 Lund: From District Heating to EnergyNet

    11/12/2025

    #148 Lund: From District Heating to EnergyNet

    In this episode recorded live at the ReThink Cities Summit 2025, Markus Paulsson, Energy Strategist at the City of Lund, Sweden, walks us through how Lund couples visible delivery with system change. District heating supplies around 90% of demand and went fossil-free two years early, helping halve emissions from 1990 to 2020. We unpack EnergyNet, a bottom-up, digitally controlled, self-steering architecture that links building to building and pushes capability to the edge. We also explore CoAction Lund, an ecosystem model bringing property owners, employers, infrastructure operators and solution providers into shared action beyond the city’s formal mandate.   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 (00:01:40) - Teaser question: If you had three magic wishes, that magic wand, how would you use them to sustainably advance Lund's energy transition?(00:03:05) - Guest background(00:05:53) - Lund's Decarbonization Journey(00:08:20) - The CoAction Lund Initiative(00:13:00) - Advice for Solution Providers(00:14:46) - EnergyNet Architecture(00:17:02) - Addressing Cybersecurity Risks(00:18:56) - Internalizing Climate Action(00:21:19) - The Digital Energy Revolution(00:23:10) - Segment: Trial and Error(00:26:09) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    28 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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