{"id":64177,"date":"2016-04-19T16:12:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-19T14:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/?p=64177"},"modified":"2019-08-26T09:15:01","modified_gmt":"2019-08-26T07:15:01","slug":"6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Reasons Why Barcelona Is a Smart City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">When you think of Barcelona you probably picture sandy beaches, delicious paella and refreshing sangria. Or maybe you see the works of the great architect Gaudi, the monumental Sagrada Familia or the breathtaking Gaudi Park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/bicis_bicing.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-64180\"><img class=\"wp-image-64180 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/bicis_bicing.jpg\" alt=\"bicing bikes barcelona\" width=\"334\" height=\"224\" \/><\/a>What you most likely don\u2019t think of is Barcelona as a \u201c<strong>Smart City<\/strong>\u201d, the first city in Spain to be called so and the 5th overall in Europe 2013. This was clearly seen when Spain was the host of the Mobile World conference a few weeks ago bringing Mark Zuckerberg as the keynote speaker. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">So what exactly makes a city <strong>smart?<\/strong> Is it just the technology?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s2\">Boyd Cohen, a well-known climate strategist states that it is based on the six <strong>\u201cSmart\u201d<\/strong> indicators: <\/span><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Smart<\/strong> Economy, <strong>Smart<\/strong> Environment, <strong>Smart<\/strong> Government, <strong>Smart<\/strong> Mobility, <strong>Smart<\/strong> Living, and <strong>Smart<\/strong> People. This would be a city that is looking to the future, providing more green solutions and investing in its future. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">So what exactly makes Barcelona a <strong>Smart City<\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#1_The_fantastic_bus_transit_system\" title=\"1. The fantastic bus transit system\">1. The fantastic bus transit system<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#2_An_excellent_bicycle_sharing_system\" title=\"2. An excellent bicycle sharing system\">2. An excellent bicycle sharing system<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#3_Smart_parking_spaces_throughout_the_city\" title=\"3. Smart parking spaces throughout the city\">3. Smart parking spaces throughout the city<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#4_Advanced_waste_management_systems\" title=\"4. Advanced waste management systems\">4. Advanced waste management systems<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#5_Wise_use_of_renewable_energy_systems\" title=\"5. Wise use of renewable energy systems\">5. Wise use of renewable energy systems<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/6-reasons-why-barcelona-is-a-smart-city\/#6_It_is_the_Mobile_World_Capital\" title=\"6. It is the Mobile World Capital\">6. It is the Mobile World Capital<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_The_fantastic_bus_transit_system\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">1. The fantastic bus transit system<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">TMB or Transports Metropolitan de Barcelona has integrated a new bus network of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines. This has made it easier to use and stops more frequent and well as faster. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">They have also incorporated urban sustainable mobility, by using hybrid buses they have greatly reduced emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_An_excellent_bicycle_sharing_system\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">2. An excellent bicycle sharing system<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bicing.barcelona\/es\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Bicing<\/a> has become a popular sustainable and economical form of transport. There are currently 6,000 bicycles circulating throughout the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">The idea is simple. After paying an annual fee you receive a card which can be scanned<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>at any of the 400 stations. You check out a bike and then check it back into a station closest to your destination. Not only is this an obviously <strong>smart<\/strong> solution to reduce emissions from other public transport but it also promotes fitness among its users. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Smart_parking_spaces_throughout_the_city\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">3. Smart parking spaces throughout the city<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">Sensors placed in parking spaces use light and metal detectors to detect if a parking spot or loading area is occupied. This aids motorists in finding spots. It also provides data to officials helping them improve management of urban mobility. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">Using ApparkB drivers are able to get real-time information to help them find a free parking spot. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Advanced_waste_management_systems\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">4. Advanced waste management systems<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">Stinky overflowing trashcans are not something you will see much of in Barcelona, why?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Compact drop off containers have been installed in the city, they have an underground vacuum network which sucks up the trash from below the ground. Not only does this keep areas clean and free of smells but it also reduces the need for trash trucks and the noise caused by them. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Wise_use_of_renewable_energy_systems\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">5. Wise use of renewable energy systems<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/solar-panal.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-64181\"><img class=\"wp-image-64181 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/solar-panal.jpg\" alt=\"solar panels barcelona\" width=\"380\" height=\"251\" \/><\/a>Barcelona, as mentioned before, is often known for is sunny skies! Being the <strong>smart<\/strong> city that it is Barcelona has put that solar power to use. In 2006 they became the first city to require the use of solar water heaters. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">Barcelona has also implemented the use of solar power into multiple\u00a0other areas of the city, expanding its use every day. You will find solar panels set up through the city, proving clean renewable energy to thousands of homes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_It_is_the_Mobile_World_Capital\"><\/span><span class=\"s1\">6. It is the Mobile World Capital<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"s1\">From 2012 until 2018 Barcelona will be the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mobileworldcongress.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Mobile World Capital<\/a>. It beat out 29 other cities to earn that title. Because of its commitment to broadening the reach of mobility locally and nationally as well as the amazing tourism and transport infrastructure, Barcelona is the ideal city to be a leader in a technological staple.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">No city is perfect and there are always ways in which it can improve. But Barcelona is truly showing that it is a leader and innovator of <strong>Smart<\/strong> Cities<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"\n    class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-valign-bottom kksr-align-left \"\n    data-id=\"64177\"\n    data-slug=\"\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 132.5px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <div class=\"kksr-legend\">\n            <strong class=\"kksr-score\">4.5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\/<\/span>\n        <strong>5<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">(<\/span>\n        <strong class=\"kksr-count\">8<\/strong>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">\n            votes        <\/span>\n        <span class=\"kksr-muted\">)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of Barcelona you probably picture sandy beaches, delicious paella and refreshing sangria. Or maybe you see the works of the great architect Gaudi, the monumental Sagrada Familia or the breathtaking Gaudi Park. What you most likely don\u2019t think of is Barcelona as a \u201cSmart City\u201d, the first city in Spain to be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":64179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4492],"tags":[3925],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64177"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64177"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108956,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64177\/revisions\/108956"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shbarcelona.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}