The IdenCity consulting company recently published the second edition of the "Smart Cities Index of Spain" (ISCE), which indicated that Barcelona, Madrid, as well as Valencia, are the most promising contenders for the title of "smart city".
According to a study tracking the level of digitalization and technological development of Spanish cities at the national level, all three cities exceeded the 50% mark on the way to becoming a "smart city" in the measurement of 138 separate indicators, one way or another indicating the ability of the municipality to implement technological solutions and online technologies in the social and economic sphere of life.
Barcelona took the first place in the Identity index with 79% compliance with the required indicators. It is followed by Madrid (74.1%), Valencia (67.6%), San Sebastian (66.6%), Bilbao (66%), Malaga (65.4%), Valladolid (63.4%), Alcobendas (62.7%), La Coruna (62.7%) and Vitoria (61.5%).
San Sebastian topped the rating in terms of "smart society", Barcelona stood out in terms of "smart economy", and Madrid — in the indicator "management", which measures the purposefulness of the actions of municipal authorities on the technological development of the city. Valencia has succeeded in developing "infrastructure and transport services".
ISLE also shows that Spanish cities should make additional efforts to ensure inclusiveness and accessibility of goods and services for the local population, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. This aspect includes everything from the availability of basic goods, such as housing overhead, to infrastructure designed for the unhindered movement of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, in this area, most of the analyzed cities in Spain are far from achieving optimal results.
In 2023, ISCE also added non-metropolitan municipalities to the list of cities under consideration. We are talking about six cities: Alcobendas, Cerdaniola del Valles, Ibiza, Granollers, Molle del Valles and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. The company plans to expand the analysis to an increasing number of destinations outside the central districts and the largest cities of the country.