In Catalonia, Porto is an example of experimentation in the urban context

Seen as 'a benchmark in the field of experimentation', Porto travelled to the Catalan capital to showcase its dynamic approach to using real-world environments to test emerging technologies. At the invitation of the Barcelona City Council, the deputy mayor shared the municipal strategy designed to continue making the city a prime location for combining innovation, technology, and social and economic progress.

Filipe Araújo explained that Porto embraced the concept of a "living lab" starting in 2013, an approach that "has allowed us to transform everyday challenges into opportunities to generate knowledge, science, business, and high-impact solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone".

The strategy, he adds, "has necessarily involved the ecosystem - academia, R&D, companies, associations, the municipal universe, and the residents themselves".

Also responsible for Innovation and Digital Transition, and with the aim of reflecting on the local administration's perspective, the vice-president participated in a roundtable discussion on the launch of the guide "Sandbox: Understanding and Implementing. Guide for Controlled Testing Environments", created by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.

The session was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, Laia Bonet, and political representatives from Valencia and Alcoy.

Under the theme "Experiences of Local Administration: Regulation, Enabling, and Activating Controlled Testing Environments in Cities", Filipe Araújo had the opportunity to present Porto's strategy as a "Playground for Innovation", an open and challenging space for innovation.

This concept includes the CityXperiment programme, a transformative initiative originally designed for participants of the European Innovation Academy, with the intention of accelerating urban innovation by promoting collaboration among businesses, municipal authorities, academic institutions, and creative minds.

CityXperiment is a platform for young students and researchers with an interest and willingness to take risks with innovative ideas and business models to tackle local challenges, develop new products and services, and create long-lasting partnerships.

The aim is to enhance accessibility and inclusion compared to the more conventional concept of a living lab.

Emphasising the importance of funded projects for implementing this strategy, the deputy mayor also mentioned other ongoing developments in the city, particularly with regard to the impact of the CommuniCity project, which aims to promote innovative technological solutions that address the vulnerabilities of the Campanhã community.