In dieser Episode teilt Robert Thomann, Geschäftsführer von Smart City Mannheim und Leiter Produktentwicklung und Innovation Smart Cities bei MVV Energie, seinen Weg von der Energieinfrastruktur hin zur Gestaltung eines digitalen, nachhaltigen Stadtmodells für Mannheim. Das Gespräch beleuchtet, wie lokaler Kontext und starke Partnerschaften effektive Smart-City-Strategien ermöglichen – mit besonderem Fokus auf Klimaanpassung, Mobilitätsinnovationen und integrierte Datenplattformen. Robert spricht über KI-gestützte Mikroklima-Simulationen, die Ökonomie urbaner Resilienz und darüber, wie städteübergreifende Zusammenarbeit sowie nutzerorientierte digitale Werkzeuge inklusive, effiziente und reaktionsfähige Städte schaffen können.

Episode Overview:

[00:00:00] Teaser-Frage: „Was macht Mannheim gerade zu einer Smart City?“

[00:00:42] Hintergrund unseres Gasts

[00:02:10] Eisbrecher: Spannende und wenig bekannte Fakten über Mannheim

[00:03:34] Die Smart-City-Schwerpunkte in Mannheim: Klima, Mobilität und Ressourcen

[00:06:46] Mikroklimamodelle und KI – So nutzt Mannheim Klimadaten

[00:08:42] Wirtschaftliche und gesellschaftliche Wirkung von Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen

[00:11:40] Mannheims Vision für die smarte Stadt der Zukunft

[00:13:27] Herausforderungen und Chancen für Kommunen im Smart-City-Bereich

[00:15:03] Zusammenarbeit zwischen Städten und interkommunale Projekte

[00:18:39] Die Rolle der MVV und die Entstehung des Smart-City-Engagements

[00:20:55] Die Datenplattform Smartcondi – Infrastruktur für smarte Anwendungen

[00:25:11] Von Daten zu Entscheidungen: Praxisbeispiele aus Mannheim

[00:27:03] Mobilität, Verkehrsmodellierung und smarte Anwendungen in der Praxis

[00:30:17] Lessons Learned und Erfolgsfaktoren für Smart-City-Projekte

[00:31:41] Der Wert lokaler Netzwerke und der Zusammenarbeit mit Stadtwerken

[00:34:42] Abschlussfrage: „Was ist für dich eine Smart City?“

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In our final episode of our IMAGINE the Citiverse series, Marko Teräs, Project Manager for the x-CITE Project at the City of Tampere, and Arnaud Verstraete, Project Manager at Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), share their insights into reshaping civic participation in the digital age. The conversation explores how emerging technologies like local digital twins and immersive virtual environments are being used to enhance democracy, accessibility, and urban planning. Marko and Arnaud discuss the challenges of inclusive design, ethical considerations, and public engagement in smart city development. They highlight the importance of human-centred innovation, transparency, and collaboration in building interconnected, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:07] Teaser Question: “If you had to describe the mission behind the x-CITE project with only three emojis, which one would you use and why?”

[00:03:01] Our guest’s background

[00:05:30] Vision and mission of the x-CITE project

[00:08:27] Arnaud’s role in communications and outreach

[00:08:56] What is the ‘Citiverse’ and how does the project define it?

[00:12:18] Who are the partners involved in x-CITE and where are pilots being implemented?

[00:15:17] Inclusivity and addressing the digital divide in smart city services

[00:16:53] Ethics advisory and human-centred values

[00:18:28] Upcoming milestones and opportunities for citizen involvement

[00:22:41] Reflections on the Imagine 2025 event and quadruple helix collaboration

[00:29:24] Podcast Segment – Flip the Script

[00:35:11] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, co-branded and recorded live at Urban Future 2025 in Łódź, Marco Buemi, Senior Expert and Project Manager at Verona Municipality, Italy, shares his journey from human rights advocacy in Sweden to driving inclusive urban regeneration in Italy. The conversation explores how lived experience shapes inclusive leadership, highlighting the importance of empathy, visibility, and grassroots engagement in public service. Marco discusses the challenges of youth disengagement, the urgency of sustainable urban transformation, and the role of education, health, and tactical urbanism in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:17] Teaser Question: “If Verona were an animal, which animal would it be and why?”

[00:02:59] Our guest’s background

[00:05:38] Introduction to the REGEN project

[00:09:58] Current status and impact of the project

[00:12:59] Engaging young people in urban regeneration

[00:17:13] Strategies for transforming abandoned urban spaces

[00:19:58] Financing and public-private partnerships

[00:23:13] Avoiding gentrification through community-centred planning

[00:24:37] Knowledge transfer to other cities

[00:27:48] Tools needed to accelerate urban change in Verona

[00:30:34] Podcast Segment: Top or Flop

[00:34:06] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, Remigijus Šimašius, former Mayor of Vilnius and Minister of Justice of Lithuania, shares his journey from legal academia and policy advocacy to leading one of Europe’s most progressive cities. The conversation explores how data transparency and lived urban experience shape inclusive, practical leadership, highlighting the importance of open governance, civic dialogue, and regulatory innovation. Remigijus discusses the challenges of fostering sustainable urban growth, the role of smart tools in public service, and the delicate balance between regulation and innovation in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview

[00:02:00] Teaser Question: “If Vilnius was an animal, which animal would it be and why?”

[00:03:27] Our guest’s background

[00:07:23] Strategies for combating corruption and fostering transparency

[00:09:53] Examples of innovative regulatory approaches in city governance

[00:13:36] Balancing innovation with effective regulation

[00:16:50] From talk to action: implementing change in public service

[00:18:35] Reflections on decisions made as mayor

[00:20:42] Advice for new mayors and aligning with community vision

[00:23:01] Current urban challenges in Vilnius and needed tools for change

[00:29:54] Regulation wisdom: flexibility, context, and impact

[00:33:10] Podcast Segment: Inspiring story or quote

[00:39:52] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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Recorded live at the ChangeNOW event in Paris, in this last episode of this series, Éric Fournier, Mayor of Chamonix, shares his journey from political consultancy to nearly two decades of local leadership in the French Alps. The conversation explores how lived experience shapes inclusive leadership, highlighting the importance of empathy, visibility, and grassroots engagement in public service. Éric discusses the challenges of managing overtourism and housing scarcity, the urgency of climate action in mountainous regions, and the role of scientific advisory councils, bold regulation, and local resilience in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

[00:01:32] Teaser Question: “If you had to describe Chamonix in only three words, what would they be?”

[00:03:11] Our guest’s background

[00:05:09] Rethinking tourism for sustainability and resident quality of life

[00:09:57] Managing housing scarcity and the impact of secondary homes

[00:12:11] Regulating hotel development and the shift toward ‘better, not more’

[00:13:31] The role and impact of the Scientific Advisory Council

[00:18:27] Addressing climate change and habitability in mountain territories

[00:20:17] Podcast Segment: Special Shout-Out to environmental associations

[00:21:09] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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Recorded live at the ChangeNOW event in Paris, in this episode, Mimi Eelman, Innovation Manager for Energy at the City of Amsterdam, shares her journey from geological studies and early climate awareness to spearheading energy innovation projects in one of Europe’s most forward-thinking cities. The conversation explores how lived experience shapes inclusive leadership, highlighting the importance of empathy, visibility, and grassroots engagement in public service. Mimi discusses the challenges of engaging citizens in energy topics, the urgency of climate action at the local level, and the role of education, creativity, and systemic disruption in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

[00:00:37] Teaser Question: “If you had to illustrate Amsterdam’s energy transition with only three emojis, what would they be and why?”

[00:03:07] Our guest’s background

[00:06:08] Energy-sharing project in Amsterdam Noord (Republica Building)

[00:10:00] Lessons from a previous project on Texel island involving families and behavioural change

[00:13:16] Designing citizen engagement in energy projects

[00:20:06] Framework for deciding levels of public involvement

[00:23:28] Possibilities and risks in Amsterdam’s decarbonisation pathway

[00:27:17] Barriers to scaling up pilot projects and importance of taking action

[00:30:39] The importance of having a dream or “moonshot” to inspire action

[00:31:53] Podcast Segment: Inspire Us – Mimi shares her inspiration from Madonna

[00:33:11] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, recorded live at the Change Now Summit in Paris, where BABLE was a media partner, Marian Zachar, member of the Climate Office of the City of Bratislava, shares his journey from international relations and youth development to pioneering urban climate leadership. The conversation explores Bratislava’s evolving climate agenda, highlighting how long-term vision, systemic change, and pragmatic action are driving decarbonisation efforts. Marian discusses the city’s ambitious targets, strategies to engage businesses and citizens, and the importance of transparency, feasibility, and coalition-building in climate planning.

Episode´s Overview:

[00:00:03] Teaser Question: “If Bratislava were an animal, which animal would it be and why?”

[00:01:07] Our guest’s background

[00:03:50] What climate change and decarbonisation mean for Bratislava

[00:06:51] How priorities are selected and the 65-measure climate plan

[00:10:17] Example: The Mayor of Bratislava Climate Challenge with local companies

[00:15:19] Engaging citizens and promoting behaviour change through spillover effects

[00:18:11] Reflections on the EU 2030 climate neutrality target—ambition vs. realism

[00:21:20] Podcast Segment: Trial & Error – Lessons from missed opportunities in planning

[00:24:39] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this first episode of a special UITP series—produced in partnership with the UITP Summit 2025, where BABLE is a media partner—Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), shares insights from his distinguished career in public transport and urban mobility. The conversation explores how shifts in societal expectations and climate concerns have redefined mobility planning, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance, demand-driven solutions, and sustainable innovation. Mezghani discusses the evolution of public transport policy, the impact of digitalisation and electrification, and the need for structured regulatory frameworks. He also champions gender equity in mobility leadership and emphasises the value of holistic, people-centred approaches in building smarter, more resilient cities.

Don’t miss out on being part of the conversation! https://www.uitpsummit.org/hamburg2025/

Overview of the episode:

[00:01:25] Teaser Question: “Can you describe UITP’s mission using just three emojis?”

[00:01:48] Our guest’s background

[00:05:06] Evolution of public transport and urban mobility

[00:08:28] Governance challenges in public transport

[00:14:53] The role and mission of UITP

[00:19:46] Promising trends and visions for urban mobility

[00:23:13] Misconceptions and resistance to mobility reform

[00:25:03] Energy efficiency and the ‘avoid, shift, improve’ approach

[00:28:58] Public transport investment vs. alternative solutions

[00:33:47] The importance of gender inclusion in transport planning

[00:36:31] Podcast Segment: “Roll with the punches” (this or that questions)

[00:41:00] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, David Monteau, Director of Economic Development, Attractiveness and Digital Affairs at the Greater Paris Metropolis, and Francesco Travagli, Director of Investment Promotion and Facilitation at Choose Paris Region, share their insights on transforming urban innovation through collaboration and experimentation. The conversation explores how Greater Paris is leveraging its dynamic ecosystem to address climate, social, and economic challenges. David and Francesco discuss the QMI programme—one of Europe’s largest urban testing grounds—highlighting the role of trust, public-private collaboration, and international engagement in scaling meaningful solutions. From data-driven air quality monitoring to eco-friendly infrastructure, they offer a compelling view of how cities can act as laboratories for inclusive, scalable, and sustainable innovation.

Episode Overview:

[00:02:06] Teaser Question: “If you had to describe the Greater Paris Region in only three words, what would those words be and why?”

[00:07:08] Our guest’s background

[00:11:01] Introduction to the QMI programme

[00:17:29] How the QMI programme fosters collaboration between startups and municipalities

[00:24:53] Strategies for promoting the programme and attracting international companies

[00:28:18] Challenges in scaling innovation and examples of successful pilots

[00:35:21] Advice for international startups entering the Paris market

[00:39:37] Preview of VivaTech and how international companies can participate

[00:43:32] Podcast Segment: Flip the Script (guests ask each other questions)

[00:49:55] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, shares his remarkable journey from launching a successful digital marketing business to serving as the leader of the state’s largest city. The conversation explores how entrepreneurial thinking and innovative public-private partnerships have helped manage rapid urban growth, while emphasising the importance of humility, transparency, and bold experimentation in local governance. Paul discusses the impact of the 437 Project and his fitness initiatives on community health and mental wellbeing, addresses the balance between private investment and public responsibility, and reflects on the role of data, servant leadership, and vision in creating truly smart, inclusive cities.

Episode Overview:

[00:00:59] Teaser Question: “If you had to describe Sioux Falls with just three emojis, which emojis would you use and why?”

[00:03:11] Our guest’s background

[00:07:16] Bringing marketing and entrepreneurship to leadership

[00:11:38] Embracing experimentation and risk in city government

[00:17:42] Health and fitness advocacy: the 437 Project and mental health initiatives

[00:25:51] Public-private partnerships and the philanthropic role in Sioux Falls

[00:29:31] Addressing the challenges of rapid growth and housing affordability

[00:33:44] Lessons in leadership and decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic

[00:36:13] The importance and challenges of using data in local government

[00:39:04] Priorities for the final year in office

[00:41:11] Vision for Sioux Falls in 2050

[00:43:49] Encouragement for future leaders and the call for public service

[00:46:39] Podcast Segment: “Roll with the punches” rapid-fire this-or-that questions

[00:49:06] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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