Given the growing relevance of this topic, the annual Smart Cities conference was held in Zagreb, organized by the business weekly Lider in cooperation with the KAS Croatia-Slovenia Office. The event brought together representatives of national and local government, experts, technology companies, and business leaders to discuss the development of smart cities, the digital transformation of public services, and sustainable urban development. The conference was opened by Lider’s Editor-in-Chief Miodrag Šajatović and the Director of the KAS Croatia-Slovenia Office Dr. Norbert Eschborn, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in developing smart urban solutions.
The opening part of the conference focused on solutions related to transport and infrastructure as the foundations of smart cities. Andro Pavuna from the City of Zagreb spoke about smart traffic solutions and the modernization of traffic management systems. In the panel discussion on infrastructure as an ecosystem, representatives from the cities of Zadar and Split, as well as from the telecommunications sector and industry, emphasized the importance of integrating digital, energy, and transport infrastructure, with a particular focus on data management, cybersecurity, and long-term planning.
Representatives of the technology sector presented examples of managing municipal assets and infrastructure, while a panel on disruptive technologies discussed the role of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital platforms in urban governance. It was highlighted that the application of artificial intelligence and data analysis can improve decision-making, optimize costs, and enable the development of personalized public services. Examples of good practice included projects applying artificial intelligence in city management systems and the development of the smart city concept in Samobor.
The second part of the conference focused on cities designed around the needs of citizens. International experiences were presented from the Portuguese city of Aveiro, where an urban laboratory has been developed to test new technological solutions, as well as a business analytics system in public transport that enables more efficient mobility planning. One of the key topics was also the energy transition of cities. The panel on sustainable cities discussed the role of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and smart energy grids, with particular emphasis on financing green projects and integrating green technologies into urban planning.
During the conference, international examples of the use of spatial intelligence and artificial intelligence in urban development were also presented, as well as smart mobility projects, including public bicycle systems. The final panel was dedicated to human-centered urbanism, where participants from the ministry, cities, and the Association of Cities emphasized the importance of quality spatial planning, access to public services, affordable housing, and a balance between built and green spaces. It was stressed that the development of smart cities does not only involve technological solutions, but also the creation of urban environments that respond to the needs of citizens and promote a high quality and sustainable way of life.
