ICTA-UAB tackled Urban Food and Agriculture in the Smart City Expo World

ICTA-UAB researchers Xavier Gabarrell and Gara Villalba participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) that was held in Barcelona on 19-21 November. In this year’s edition, SCEWC focused on five main tracks: Digital Transformation, Urban Environment, Mobility, Governance & Finance, and Inclusive & Sharing Cities.

Xavier Gabarrell and Gara Villalba took part in a session scheduled as part of the track on Urban Environment: “Urban Food & Agriculture: Bringing Nature Back to the City”. The session was held on Thursday 21 November at 9:30 a.m.

As 80% of all food that is produced is already consumed in cities, and considering the current unprecedented levels of urban population growth, the activity delved into how agriculture in cities can ensure lower emissions and higher food security. Speakers revealed that the potential of fostering food and agriculture within urban areas is transversal and far-reaching. It brings an opportunity to strengthen urban-rural linkages, advancing not only towards smart cities but also towards smart regions.

Gara Villalba moderated the panel “Feeding the City while ensuring Sustainability of Urban Food Systems” and Xavier Gabarrell was one of the speakers of the panel on “Food & Urban Agriculture Strategies”.

 The Smart City Expo World Congress 2019, held under the moto “Cities Made Of Dreams”, dared to keep on dreaming of a smart urban revolution, given that there is still the need for green and livable cities that reflect a strong sense of responsibility to future generations; cities in which public transport coexists with new mobility options; cities that address both security and privacy concerns; inclusive cities where collaboration becomes a central focus to build a better future; cities that look beyond and are prepared for both expected and unexpected changes. However, to make things click, we need citizens who dream of a better tomorrow, along with the public and private sectors, civil society, and diverse organizations, as well as academia.