Barcelona – “Governing also means being able to anticipate the future,” declares Francesca Savini, Councillor for Smart City of the Comune di Ferrara, who is in Barcelona this week for the Smart City Expo World Congress — the world’s leading event on smart cities and urban innovation. Held annually since 2011, the congress explores all aspects of contemporary cities: urban development, energy, environment, sustainability, technology and new models of governance. The aim is to broaden best-practice exchange among participating stakeholders. “Our objective,” explains Savini, “is to put innovation at the service of people. From the digital twin for urban monitoring to AI-based solutions that make access to services simpler and more direct, we are investing in a digital transformation aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life.” “Ferrara,” she concludes, “wants to grow as a modern, efficient and innovative city without losing its identity: a city that looks ahead while drawing strength from its roots.” Participation in the Barcelona fair — as last year — is part of the Municipal Administration’s plan to make Ferrara a model of administrative and urban innovation, reinforcing dialogue with businesses, institutions and international actors engaged in digitization and modernization of urban areas.