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. #169 Celje: A Collaborative Model for Urban Innovation

    17H AGO

    #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
  2. #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
  3. #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
  4. #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
  5. #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
  6. #164 Madrid: Transforming Waste into Urban Innovation

    APR 8

    #164 Madrid: Transforming Waste into Urban Innovation

    In this episode, in collaboration with the Urban Future conference, recorded at their 2026 edition in Ljubljana, we travel to Madrid to explore the intersection of environmental infrastructure, clean mobility, digital operations, and urban innovation. Our guest, José Luis Cifuentes Sastre, Innovation, Promotion and Information Manager at Madrid City Council, shares insights into the Valdemingómez Technology Park. This site functions as a large-scale urban sandbox, testing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensors in a live operational environment. We discuss how Madrid produces renewable energy from municipal waste to support urban mobility, including EMT bus lines and electric bicycles. The conversation also details the shift towards data-driven operations, digital twins, and the vital role of public-private partnerships in advancing 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(00:02:11) - Teaser question: If Madrid were an animal, what animal would it be and why?(00:04:44) - Guest background(00:08:21) - Madrid's Visible Future(00:11:29) - Valdemingomez Technology Park(00:16:50) - City Value Chain Role(00:23:40) - Landfill Innovation Pilots(00:30:50) - Urban Sandbox Regulations(00:33:45) - Scaling Waste Innovations(00:40:56) - Building Successful Partnerships(00:48:56) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    51 min
  7. #163 Florence: Moving AI from Pilots to Policy

    APR 1

    #163 Florence: Moving AI from Pilots to Policy

    In this special episode from our Major Cities of Europe 2025 series, we travel to Florence, Italy, to speak with Alessandra Barbieri, Manager in EU Projects and Fund Raising within the City Manager Department of the Municipality of Florence. We discuss the city's recently developed AI Adoption Plan, a strategic framework designed to guide the integration of artificial intelligence into public services. Alessandra explains how Florence is transitioning from isolated pilot projects to a structural system that prioritises transparency, security, and compliance with European and national regulations. The conversation covers the practical steps of implementation, including a comprehensive internal training programme for civil servants and the importance of cross-departmental collaboration. We also examine the environmental impacts of AI and how the municipality aims to balance technological advancement with its climate goals. This episode provides a clear look at how Smart Cities can responsibly adopt new technologies to better serve their citizens. 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(00:02:00) - Teaser question: If you have to pick only three words to describe Florence, which words would you choose and why?(00:03:13) - Guest background(00:04:43) - Need for AI Plan(00:06:17) - Structure of the Plan(00:08:23) - Internal Staff Training(00:14:20) - AI Pilot Use Cases(00:20:20) - AI Environmental Impact(00:22:05) - Implementation Challenges(00:25:05) - Advice for Other Cities(00:26:40) - Collaborating With Companies(00:27:50) - Breaking City Silos(00:30:49) - Segment: Shout Out(00:34:18) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    37 min
  8. #162 UITP: Shaping Mobility at the Dubai 2026 Summit

    MAR 4

    #162 UITP: Shaping Mobility at the Dubai 2026 Summit

    In this episode of Smart in the City, we sit down with Hashem Alhendawi, Head of the UITP MENA, to discuss the rapid evolution of urban mobility in Dubai and across the broader Middle East and North Africa region. Hashem explains how cities in MENA are transitioning from car-centric designs to integrated, network-based public transport systems. We explore the concrete steps Dubai has taken over the past decade to build a multimodal network that includes the Metro, buses, and marine transport. Looking ahead to the upcoming UITP Summit 2026 in Dubai, Hashem highlights the practical challenges cities are prioritising, such as financial sustainability, workforce skills, and climate resilience. Join us to learn why the future of Smart Cities relies on reliable operations and connecting people to essential opportunities. Editor's Note: The 2026 UITP Summit in Dubai has been cancelled due to the evolving situation in the Gulf region. While the event will no longer take place, the strategic insights shared in this interview remain highly relevant to the future of urban mobility. 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(00:01:10) - Teaser question: Can you describe UITP's mission using only three emojis?(00:03:16) - Guest background(00:06:04) - UITP Mission And Goals(00:09:20) - Dubai Summit 2026(00:13:35) - Dubai's Mobility Shift(00:18:16) - MENA Mobility Shifts(00:21:54) - MENA Innovation Opportunities(00:25:43) - Future Summit Topics(00:30:09) - World Public Transport Day(00:31:34) - Segment: Inspire us(00:33:42) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

    37 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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