In a world where technology is advancing at a dizzying pace, smart cities cannot simply be a collection of sensors and data. Ignacio Alcalde Marco, CEO of Cityfocus An architect and urban planning expert is in no doubt: the real challenge is not simply to apply technology, but to put it at the service of people.
“A smart city is not just a city with technology”
During the interview, the Mayor debunked the notion that a Smart City is defined solely by digitalisation. “The true purpose of urban intelligence is to improve citizens’ quality of life, ”, not just implementing technology for the sake of it," he said.
“Technology must adapt to the city, not the city to technology”
One of the most revealing moments was when Alcalde explained that many cities have made the mistake of prioritising digital infrastructure without a clear vision of how it affects everyday life. “Cities must evolve from a humanistic perspective, where technology is a tool rather than an end in itself”, he said.
“There is no single formula for making a city smarter”
Every city has its own identity, history and needs. For this reason, it is not possible to simply copy and paste a single smart city model across the globe. The mayor emphasised the importance of the tailored planning, taking into account the social, economic and cultural context of each location.
“Urban intelligence must focus on sustainability and inclusion”
Beyond digitalisation, the urban planning of the future must to prioritise sustainability and equity. In this regard, the Mayor emphasised the importance of designing cities that are resilient, accessible and that foster a sense of community.
Through his vision, Ignacio Alcalde reminds us that technology is a means, not an end. The cities of the future will not truly be smart unless they manage, first and foremost, to be more humane.
