URBIS 2025 took place in Brno, Czech Republic in June 2025. The Smart City Fair confirmed its role as a key meeting point in Central Europe. Czech Smart City Cluster contributed to two major panel discussions. The sessions shaped the future of European smart city collaboration. Read more smart city news on our news page.
Czech Smart City Cluster board member Tomáš Janča joined the Smart City 2030 panel. The discussion focused on urban development over the next five years. Cities need resilient governance strategies. Smart specialisation plays a key role in urban policy. Multiple stakeholders must share responsibility. These include cities, regions, universities, national governments, and citizens. Together, they form a quadruple helix model for innovation. Furthermore, global partnerships elevate local outcomes. Smart cities are not just high-tech hubs. They are inclusive and resilient ecosystems.
A landmark panel brought together leaders from Barcelona, Brno, and Stavanger. Ugo Valenti from SCEWC Barcelona joined the stage. So did Gunnar Edwin Crawford from Nordic Edge. Jan Kubata from BVV Trade Fairs Brno also participated. Traian Urban from EIT Urban Mobility completed the panel. This was the first time these flagship events shared a stage. They discussed collaboration rather than competition. Speakers raised key questions about event relevance and audience engagement. They also explored how expos can become living labs for innovation.
Czech Smart City Cluster drives the vision for closer cooperation across Europe. The goal is a strategic axis connecting Brno, Berlin, and Barcelona. This axis supports knowledge exchange and policy alignment. It helps cities benefit from global insights. In addition, it amplifies the impact of local efforts. URBIS 2025 marks an important step in this journey. Cities across Europe can now build stronger partnerships. The future of smart cities depends on shared agendas. Learn more at the URBIS Smart City Fair website.