Alicante has been chosen as the Spanish host for the EU Cities Gateway programme, which seeks solutions to emerging urban challenges in collaboration with seven international cities. The city will showcase its projects in artificial intelligence, digital services, smart mobility, sustainability, and employment on Thursday and Friday.
The event will welcome an international delegation from the United States, Canada, and the European Union to discuss urban innovation and digitalisation. This advanced collaboration mission is part of the EU Cities Gateway meeting taking place in Barcelona until Wednesday. The programme, funded by the EU, connects 32 cities and territorial entities from Europe, the US, and Canada to exchange proposals in four thematic areas: circular economy, nature-based solutions, digitalisation and urban innovation, and affordable housing and innovative living spaces.
The aim of this European programme is to connect administrations, universities, businesses, and civil society for mutual learning, sharing best practices, and identifying joint projects. Alicante is the only Spanish city selected to participate in this international mission on urban innovation and digitalisation, which also includes Edmonton and St. John’s (Canada), Albuquerque and Fort Worth (United States), Trier and Heidelberg (Germany), and Vilnius (Lithuania).
The mayors and representatives of these seven cities will be received on Thursday by Alicante's mayor, Luis Barcala. Over the two days, they will visit key municipal resources and services focused on innovation and digitalisation, such as the Traffic Control Centre (data-driven mobility), the Water Intelligence Centre, Santa Bárbara Castle with its visitor sensors, the floodable park of La Marjal at Playa de San Juan, and the employment portal.
During their stay, they will also learn about the municipal management through the artificial intelligence layer AL21 and the cyber kiosks, as well as the Alicante Futura strategy aimed at positioning the city as an international reference in entrepreneurship, talent attraction, and technological development.
“This visit is a fantastic opportunity for Alicante to showcase its projects in artificial intelligence, digital services, smart mobility, water management, sustainability, and employment,” said the councillor for Innovation, Antonio Peral, who participated in the international meeting in Barcelona. “Moreover, it coincides with our city being named a semi-finalist for the European Capital of Innovation Awards, reinforcing the positioning of Alicante Futura,” he added.
Peral emphasised that this advanced collaboration mission will allow the city council to learn about new models of artificial intelligence for data management, mobility, and digital interaction with citizens. It will also help identify partners and opportunities for international projects, connecting tech companies, universities, and research centres with other ecosystems, while showcasing Alicante as a city that contributes its own experiences and solutions.
“This meeting solidifies our city's international position as an innovative territory and creates stable cooperation relationships that impact competitiveness, employment, and the quality of public services,” the councillor for Innovation stated. “Alicante's participation in this specialised group of eight cities and its selection as the mission's host reinforces the city's international projection as an innovative territory, especially after reaching the semi-finals of the European Capital of Innovation Awards in the past two years,” he added.
The councillor for Urbanism also noted that Alicante is not only participating in international innovation networks but is also sharing its own experiences, attracting interest from other regions, and opening new opportunities for international collaboration in the US, Canada, and the European Union.
