Smart in the City – The BABLE Podcast

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.

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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?”

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?”

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?”

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?”

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?”