The RESPONSE team once more took part in the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the premier global event for cities and urban innovation, which took place this year from 5-7 November 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
RESPONSE project had an active part in shaping discussions on sustainable urban development showing how to foster a European movement to adopt, replicate, and scale sustainable urban solutions, accelerating Positive Energy in Districts and Buildings.
One of the engaging sessions, “Back to the Future”, provided a deep dive into the evolution of smart cities and the ambitious goal of achieving 100 climate-neutral cities through the #ScalableCities initiative. Moderated by Veronika Cerna from the Scalable Cities Secretariat, the session brought together key figures and experts: Philippe Fournand (Blue-Sight Conseil), Hadrien Rouchette (Dijon Métropole), Anh Minh Vu (Dresden, NEUTRALPATH & MAtchUP Projects), deeb Sidani (Porto Digital, ASCEND Project). On behalf of response, Hadrien Rouchette discussed how the project helped strengthen the Lighthouse and fellow cities´ local ecosystems and addressed challenges faced in implementing Dijon´s climate plan.
In addition to this session, RESPONSE played an active role in multiple discussions throughout the event. Represented by Monjur Murshed (EIFER), in the Agora session “Building Better Cities in Europe Through PEDs,“ RESPONSE actively contributed to discussions on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and the path toward climate neutrality. Monjur highlighted key achievements from RESPONSE in Dijon, France, and Turku, Finland. His presentation emphasized innovative approaches to energy management, citizen engagement, and collaborative efforts driving these cities toward sustainability.
The main session on PEDs, moderated by Veronika Cerna of the Scalable Cities Secretariat, brought together cities and project leaders to exchange insights and experiences in creating sustainable urban ecosystems. Pioneering projects from across Europe were showcased, including RESPONSE, alongside the AtelierH2020, MAKING-CITY, and POCITYF projects. These initiatives collectively demonstrated how PEDs are becoming integral to achieving climate-neutral cities, focusing on smart technologies, renewable energy integration, and public-private partnerships. The session underscored the critical role of multi-stakeholder collaboration and innovation in advancing urban energy systems across Europe.
We are incredibly grateful to all of the speakers, participants, and the broader community paving the way for smarter and greener cities. And a special thank you to the partners that were there helping to increase this community: Smart Cities Marketplace, ASCEND, ATELIER, MAKING CITY, NEUTRALPATH, POCITYF. 🌆✨
