Smart in the City – The BABLE Podcast

In this episode, recorded at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025, we travel to the City of Hamburg with Dr. Nora Reinecke, Project Manager for the Connected Urban Twins project.

Nora explains how Hamburg is moving beyond the buzzwords to implement digital twins that address real urban challenges, from climate resilience and flooding to complex urban planning scenarios. She discusses the collaborative approach among Hamburg, Leipzig, and Munich, emphasizing the need for open-source tools and demand-driven strategies rather than technology for its own sake.

The conversation also covers the practical application of GeoAI, the importance of citizen participation, and how to mitigate bias in urban data to ensure inclusive outcomes for all residents.

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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
(00:02:14) - Teaser question: If you had to describe Hamburg with these three emojis, which would you use and why?
(00:03:29) - Guest background
(00:05:13) - Hamburg's Current State
(00:06:27) - Connected Urban Twins Project
(00:08:27) - Solving Urban Challenges
(00:10:26) - Digital Twin Use Case
(00:11:59) - Are Digital Twins Overhyped?
(00:12:40) - Understanding GeoAI
(00:14:33) - Mitigating AI Bias
(00:15:41) - Advice for Cities
(00:18:00) - Procurement vs In-House Development
(00:19:23) - Remaining Bottlenecks
(00:21:56) - Importance of Citizen Participation
(00:23:43) - Segment: Trial and Error
(00:25:17) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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.

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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
(00:01:46) - 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?”

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?”

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.

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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) - 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?

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?”