Smart Portugal
In 2022, Portugal had, for the first time, its own stand in exhibition at the Barcelona SCEWC fair. A space in which municipalities and companies could show and share urban intelligence projects and solutions successfully implemented in the national territory.
Located in a central area of the fair, with an area of 230 square meters, the “SMART Portugal” stand provided a space for each of the exhibitors and a common area in which the participants could, throughout the three days, present their projects and initiatives in the areas of intelligent and sustainable cities.
In addition to the presence as exhibitors at the fair, and as in previous years, the initiative includes parallel activities and the participation of municipal representatives in addition to those who will exhibit at the national stand.
In memoriam António Almeida Henriques
The Portuguese participation in SCEWC, through a stand where municipalities can show what they are doing in terms of territorial intelligence in Portugal, is not a recent idea and comes in the continuity of a work developed, since 2017, by António Almeida Henriques, mayor who died in April last year, and Miguel de Castro Neto, coordinator of NOVA Cidade – Urban Analytics Lab.
It should be recalled that, as president of the Smart Cities Section of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP), Almeida Henriques played a leading role in promoting the concept of smart cities in Portugal.
Until his death, the then mayor of Viseu worked, along with Professor Miguel de Castro Neto, in the promotion of numerous initiatives related to the theme of the intelligence of Portuguese territories, including annual editions of the Smart Cities Tour and the organization of visits of Portuguese delegations to the Barcelona World Expo.
Highlights of the interview of Professor Miguel de Castro Neto, Dean of NOVA IMS – UNL and Coordinator of NOVA Cidade – Urban analytics Lab to Smart Cities magazine on the occasion of the presentation of Portugal’s stand at Expo Smart Cities Congress in Barcelona
Given the work done previously, what does this Portuguese participation mean?
“This is the year a dream came true. When I started with António Almeida Henriques to organize the first committees of mayors to the World City Fair in Barcelona, our ambition was always to have a Portuguese pavilion where we could show how in our country we build intelligent and sustainable cities and towns. To take Portuguese municipalities and companies to this true stage of what is best done on a global scale in this area. Unfortunately, my dear friend António Almeida Henriques will not be with us physically, but I am sure he will accompany us in this very special moment.”
How can municipalities and agents benefit from this initiative?
“This is THE world fair for cities. We create with this initiative the opportunity for local authorities and national companies to share best practices and their latest innovations. It is a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant and inspiring community, where the potential of information technology is explored to the limit to ensure well-being and quality of life for people and meet the challenges of the dual green and digital transition. During 3 days it will be possible not only to learn the best responses to the challenges we face in our cities and towns, but also to interact with the actors on the ground leading the profound transformation that is underway. A true revolution in the way we plan and manage urban areas and, ultimately, the territory, can ultimately play a vital role in promoting territorial cohesion in our country.”
