He also noted that GIS is “the technological vehicle that helps us turn knowledge into action,” providing a framework for capturing, analyzing, planning and disseminating information. This holistic approach not only facilitates collaboration, but also allows us to see the world as an interconnected system in which all sectors are involved.

The first table in which Smart City Cluster took part, Mesa Territorios Inteligentes – Gobierno del dato – Gemelo Digital, was moderated by Adolfo Borrero, CEO of Aalto Consultores, with the participation of Enrique Martínez Marín, president of Segittur; Javier Fernández, general director of Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence in the Government of the Principality of Asturias; Juan Pedro de Ruz, general director of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Castilla-La Mancha; Manuel Borobio, COO at Abtemas; and Daniel González-Bootello, general director of Smart City Cluster.

The first to speak was Javier Fernández, who shared the experience of Asturias in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve the quality of historical data and its application in predictive models, with special attention to tourism. He explained that the cleaning of information is crucial to lay the foundations for data-driven policies and for the implementation of solutions that anticipate the needs of the territory.

For his part, Daniel González-Bootello emphasized the importance of managing innovation gradually, integrating digital twins into existing systems without disrupting the daily operations of the different areas. “The true value of digital twins lies in their ability to demonstrate tangible benefits and facilitate technology adoption in all municipal areas,” he said.

During the debate, Enrique Martínez Marín stressed the importance of a semantic approach to data management, pointing out that “data alone does not solve problems; it is the interpretation and the management model that provides value”. He stressed that the challenge lies in establishing a common framework that allows the different administrations and private entities to share information efficiently, promoting its reuse and exploitation.

For his part, Juan Pedro de Ruz, explained how Castilla La Mancha is using digital twins in various areas, from climate change management to the fight against depopulation. He pointed out that the use of these technologies makes it possible to model different scenarios and predict the impact of phenomena such as population dispersion or the availability of housing in rural areas, which facilitates the design of more effective public policies.

On the other hand, Manuel Borobio emphasized that digital twins not only represent a static photograph of reality, but act as simulators capable of integrating dynamic and contextual information. This ability to anticipate future scenarios and relate data from different sources offers added value in territorial planning, allowing public administrations to act with greater precision.

The final round of conclusions highlighted, among other issues:

• Data Governance.
• Interoperability of systems.
• Data Office.
• Data quality and standardization.
• Predictive systems to anticipate needs.
• Citizen personalization to offer more personalized services.
• Product innovation.
• Open data spaces.
• Necessary data: what data is needed for better planning?
• Use cases and challenges.

In the afternoon, Smart City Cluster participated in the panel discussion “From Data to Knowledge” with the participation of Daniel González Bootello, general director of Smart City Cluster, together with María del Mar Plaza, manager EM Almería 2030 SAU in Almería City Council; Pilar Aránzazu Herráez, delegate of Data Protection in Getafe City Council; Vito Episcopo, councilor of HR, Organization, Smart City, Digitalization and Innovation in Granada City Council.

The speakers stressed that industry cannot develop solutions without understanding the context in which they will be applied, and vice versa; the territories must be prepared to assimilate and use these technologies. This process, as was recognized at the discussion table, implies a life cycle of innovation that must be managed jointly to avoid wasted effort and resources. The integration of technology at the municipal level requires a strategic approach that transcends the traditional IT perspective, where technology is perceived as a mere productivity tool.

In addition, they focused on the importance of establishing a data governance framework that enables access and interoperability of information. This includes the ability to obtain data not only at the municipal level, but also disaggregated by neighborhood, which facilitates more informed decision making. In the end, they concluded, the success of these initiatives will depend on the ability of administrations to integrate this data into their strategic planning, using spatial analysis tools and innovative techniques to improve competitiveness and quality of life in our cities.

The ESRI 2024 conference has made it clear that data interoperability and semantics are the keys to moving towards a sustainable and efficient digital future.