Barcelona Seeks Technologies for Automation of Urban Services

By Calvin Azuri

TMCnet Contributor

 

 The city of Barcelona, Spain has launched an award for technologies and solutions in an effort to help retain its status as one of the most attractive and well-managed cities in the world by automating its urban services such as waste collection, information systems, electric vehicle charging, water management, parking and lighting. 

The Automated Garbage Management System, proposed by Urbiotica, which won the award last year for providing real-time intelligence about the filling level of city's waste containers and transforming the waste collection system, has already been successfully implemented in the city.

The award, which forms part of the Living Labs Global Award 2011 in which eight global cities present technology challenges to help 40 million citizens in America, Africa, Asia and Europe, is managed by the "22@ Barcelona Urban Lab." In association with Living Labs Global, international experts at the 22@ Barcelona Urban Lab systematically evaluate new urban technologies and services. The 22@Barcelona Innovation District, with its most advanced wireless and fiber infrastructures and waste management and urban management systems, pioneers in implementing innovative solutions for the whole city to follow.

The city of Barcelona invites international solutions providers and research centers who can materialize its automation goals through sensors and other revolutionary technologies so as to help the city in fortifying its position as an international reference for innovative companies, least affecting its sustainability and quality of life. Eight categories for the Award are being presented in association with cities striving to identify the best solutions to meet their strategic challenges. 

Award nominations for solutions utilizing most modern technologies for revolutionizing the current method of delivery of services are open to submission until Feb. 28. The award is organized in association with Oracle (News - Alert) and Farglory. The shortlists are to be announced on March 21, and the winners would be announced at a Summit and Award Ceremony in Stockholm on May 12. The award-winning solution will subsequently be implemented in Barcelona.