Students and professionals come together to develop innovative solutions that promote the urban mobility of the future

For six days, the cities of Bilbao and Barcelona will host the second edition of Citython 2021. Students and professionals of different profiles and backgrounds will come together on line to develop innovative solutions that help define what mobility will be like in the cities of the future.

Bilbao, which is participating for the first time in the organisation of this event, has positioned itself at the forefront in terms of urban mobility. Alfonso Gil, second deputy mayor of the City of Bilbao, explained that “it is the first city in the world with more than 300,000 inhabitants to implement the speed limit of 30 km/h throughout the city centre. Today it is a world benchmark in sustainable and healthy urban mobility. We continue working to create a more humane, accessible, and supportive city, prioritising the use of more sustainable means of transport such as bicycles and walking through our streets. This can only be achieved through a joint effort of all citizens.”

Barcelona, which has collaborated in the organisation of Citython since the first edition, in 2018, is committed to safe and sustainable mobility in each of the city’s neighbourhoods. Eugeni Rico, a Senior Engineer in the Mobility Area of the Barcelona City Council, considers that “encouraging sustainable modes of travel and guaranteeing safe mobility are major challenges for a city like Barcelona. Because a city that allows children and adults to circulate autonomously, comfortably and safely on foot, by bike, and on public transport becomes a pleasant city that respects people’s health and the environment”.

Two cities, three challenges

The presentation of Citython Bilbao Barcelona 2021 will take place on 8 July, at a public event. Daniel Serra, director of EIT Urban Mobility for southern Europe; Alfonso Gil and Eugeni Rico will be responsible for opening the event. During the session, three urban mobility challenges will be presented by renowned experts such as Nelinda Santos, member of the Governing Board of the Bilbao City Council; Roberto San Salvador del Valle Doistua, director of Deusto Cities Lab Katedra; Urrotz Larrañaga, engineer of Intelligent Transport Systems of the Bilbao City Council; and Jesús de la Quintana, head of Emerging Initiatives in Urban Solutions of TECNALIA.

The participants of this edition will have to solve one of the challenges proposed by the cities of Bilbao and Barcelona:

• The promotion of a change in drivers’ habits to accelerate the transition towards sustainable and inclusive urban mobility, following the adoption of the measure that limits speed to 30km/h throughout the Bilbao city centre.
• The promotion of sustainable urban logistics with the exponential increase in electronic commerce and the urban distribution of goods in Bilbao.
• In the case of Barcelona, the challenge that arises has to do with promoting safe, sustainable, and healthy mobility on foot and by bicycle.

Entries to participate will end on 11 July, and the teams will have six days, from 14 to 21 July, to work on the proposals. On 21 July they will have to present their final ideas to the jury. Participants will have the opportunity to attend individual mentoring sessions to receive feedback on their work (16 and 19 July). The winners will be announced on the 21st, and € 1,500 will be awarded in prizes. They will also have a space to present their solution during Smart City Expo, to be held in Barcelona in November.

More information

The event is funded by the EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative promoted by the European Union to create livable urban spaces, which is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
Organised by CARNET, an initiative promoted by CIT UPC, with the collaboration of Bilbao City Council, Barcelona City Council, and TECNALIA.