In our final episode of our IMAGINE the Citiverse series, Marko Teräs, Project Manager for the x-CITE Project at the City of Tampere, and Arnaud Verstraete, Project Manager at Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), share their insights into reshaping civic participation in the digital age. The conversation explores how emerging technologies like local digital twins and immersive virtual environments are being used to enhance democracy, accessibility, and urban planning. Marko and Arnaud discuss the challenges of inclusive design, ethical considerations, and public engagement in smart city development. They highlight the importance of human-centred innovation, transparency, and collaboration in building interconnected, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

• [00:01:07] Teaser Question: “If you had to describe the mission behind the x-CITE project with only three emojis, which one would you use and why?”

• [00:03:01] Our guest’s background

• [00:05:30] Vision and mission of the x-CITE project

• [00:08:27] Arnaud’s role in communications and outreach

• [00:08:56] What is the ‘Citiverse’ and how does the project define it?

• [00:12:18] Who are the partners involved in x-CITE and where are pilots being implemented?

• [00:15:17] Inclusivity and addressing the digital divide in smart city services

• [00:16:53] Ethics advisory and human-centred values

• [00:18:28] Upcoming milestones and opportunities for citizen involvement

• [00:22:41] Reflections on the Imagine 2025 event and quadruple helix collaboration

• [00:29:24] Podcast Segment – Flip the Script

• [00:35:11] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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In this episode, co-branded and recorded live at Urban Future 2025 in Łódź, Marco Buemi, Senior Expert and Project Manager at Verona Municipality, Italy, shares his journey from human rights advocacy in Sweden to driving inclusive urban regeneration in Italy. The conversation explores how lived experience shapes inclusive leadership, highlighting the importance of empathy, visibility, and grassroots engagement in public service. Marco discusses the challenges of youth disengagement, the urgency of sustainable urban transformation, and the role of education, health, and tactical urbanism in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview:

• [00:01:17] Teaser Question: “If Verona were an animal, which animal would it be and why?”

• [00:02:59] Our guest’s background

• [00:05:38] Introduction to the REGEN project

• [00:09:58] Current status and impact of the project

• [00:12:59] Engaging young people in urban regeneration

• [00:17:13] Strategies for transforming abandoned urban spaces

• [00:19:58] Financing and public-private partnerships

• [00:23:13] Avoiding gentrification through community-centred planning

• [00:24:37] Knowledge transfer to other cities

• [00:27:48] Tools needed to accelerate urban change in Verona

• [00:30:34] Podcast Segment: Top or Flop

• [00:34:06] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

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Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page.

And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub

In this episode, Remigijus Šimašius, former Mayor of Vilnius and Minister of Justice of Lithuania, shares his journey from legal academia and policy advocacy to leading one of Europe’s most progressive cities. The conversation explores how data transparency and lived urban experience shape inclusive, practical leadership, highlighting the importance of open governance, civic dialogue, and regulatory innovation. Remigijus discusses the challenges of fostering sustainable urban growth, the role of smart tools in public service, and the delicate balance between regulation and innovation in building truly smart, equitable communities.

Episode Overview

[00:02:00] Teaser Question: “If Vilnius was an animal, which animal would it be and why?”

[00:03:27] Our guest’s background

[00:07:23] Strategies for combating corruption and fostering transparency

[00:09:53] Examples of innovative regulatory approaches in city governance

[00:13:36] Balancing innovation with effective regulation

[00:16:50] From talk to action: implementing change in public service

[00:18:35] Reflections on decisions made as mayor

[00:20:42] Advice for new mayors and aligning with community vision

[00:23:01] Current urban challenges in Vilnius and needed tools for change

[00:29:54] Regulation wisdom: flexibility, context, and impact

[00:33:10] Podcast Segment: Inspiring story or quote

[00:39:52] Ending Question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”

Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it!

Want to join us for an episode? Fill out the form on our Podcast Page.

And for more insights, visit our BABLE Smart Cities Knowledge Hub