In this episode, we travel to Italy with Francesco Leonardo Nelli, Coordinator of the International Relations Unit at the City of Bologna. Recorded live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, we discuss how the city leverages its strong cooperative spirit to drive modern innovation.

The conversation highlights Bologna's distinct approach to technology. Rather than purchasing standard solutions, the city is developing a homegrown Digital Twin from scratch to ensure it fits local needs, with initial use cases focused on mobility. Francesco also discusses the role of the Foundation for Urban Innovation in bridging the gap between the administration and residents, illustrated by the "School Squares" project that reclaims space for children.

Join us to learn how Bologna balances its rich history with future-ready strategies through city diplomacy and active civic listening.

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• (00:00:00) - Intro
• (00:02:02) - Teaser question: If Bologna were an animal, which animal would it be and why?
• (00:03:27) - Guest background
• (00:05:36) - Bologna's Unique Atmosphere
• (00:06:39) - Civic Participation in Bologna
• (00:07:38) - The Role of City Diplomacy
• (00:08:59) - Listening to Citizen Needs
• (00:10:23) - Developing a Local Digital Twin
• (00:12:05) - Digital Twin Use Cases
• (00:14:01) - Facing Global Urban Challenges
• (00:15:21) - Governance and Taking Risks
• (00:17:05) - School Squares Experimentation
• (00:18:49) - How Companies Can Collaborate
• (00:21:51) - Segment: Inspire Us
• (00:23:54) - Ending question: “To you, what is a Smart City?”