Social challenges
Dialogue Spaces in Namibia
ZABALA collaborates with IAN by building spaces for dialogue between this agri-food company, public authorities and local communities in Namibia.
The objective of the European project STARDUST (Holistic and integrated, urban model for smart cities) is to test solutions aimed at increasing the overall energy efficiency and improving the quality of life in the lighthouse cities (Pamplona – Spain, Tampere – Finland and Trento – Italy) and in the follower cities (Derry – United Kingdom, Kozani – Greece and Litomerice – Czech Republic), as well as stimulating the local economy and generating new business models. This will be achieved by applying the ‘Smart City’ concept: integrating in the building, energy and electric mobility sectors, the most advanced information and communication technologies, connectivity, and the Internet of Things. The National Renewable Energy Center (CENER) is leading the project.
CHALLENGE
The three “lighthouse cities” and the follower cities, in which the model will be replicated, have previously been working on different projects and actions to address the most common urban challenges: CO2 emissions, air pollution, traffic congestion, energy efficiency and energy poverty, economic growth and job creation, digitalisation or international visibility. These are aspects that converge in the economic, social and environmental fields.
SOLUTION
The cities participating in the project will work closely with industry partners, including small and medium-sized enterprises, universities and research centres, to drive innovation in the urban environment and develop demonstrative experiences. In this way, smart integration measures will be implemented, and innovative technical solutions and business models will be tested and validated. These strategies may be replicated in other European cities.
RESULTS
STARDUST will test and validate solutions that enable rapid market deployment, and demonstrate that the smart integration of these actions, together with other complementary non-technological measures, can provide a platform for citizen participation. Smart cooperation between local government, businesses, and research centres will improve citizen’s quality of life, while boosting local economies through a new productive model.
