Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training and Study Tour in Barcelona

Programme Overview

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation have become central priorities for governments and urban authorities as cities expand rapidly across the globe. Today, around 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and this figure is expected to reach 68% by 2050. At the same time, cities account for a significant share of global energy consumption and face increasing pressure to provide reliable infrastructure, sustainable mobility, efficient public services, climate resilience, and a high quality of life. For many cities, particularly in developing and emerging economies, rapid urbanization is creating significant challenges related to energy supply, transportation, waste management, public safety, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services. Smart city approaches provide governments with new opportunities to address these challenges through integrated planning, digital technologies, data-driven decision-making, and citizen-centered service delivery. The Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training and Study Tour in Barcelona has been exclusively developed by Risalat Consultants International to equip public officials and urban professionals with the knowledge and practical tools required to plan and implement successful smart city initiatives. Participants will explore how technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, machine learning, smart infrastructure, data analytics, and digital platforms can support more efficient, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. Through practical learning, international case studies, interactive exercises, and direct exposure to Barcelona’s urban innovation ecosystem, participants will examine how smart cities and urban transformation strategies can improve city management, strengthen infrastructure, optimize public services, enhance citizen experiences, and support long-term sustainable urban development.

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training and Study Tour in Barcelona

The ultimate goal of this programme is to help delegates form foundational knowledge and vital skills for the planning, implementation, and management of smart city initiatives. Upon the successful completion of the programme, the delegates are expected to:

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Barcelona, Spain, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

• Urban planners and architects
• City administrators and officials
• Policymakers
• ICT professionals
• Environmental and sustainability specialists
• Professionals in the transportation sector
• Engineers and technicians
• The evolution of Smart Cities – what are they?
• Infrastructure planning and prioritisation
• Project appraisal and business cases
• Financing options and public-private partnerships
• Procurement and contracting for works

It is designed for infrastructure and urban planners, engineers and technical managers, project and programme managers and others who want practical, current skills in infrastructure, urban development and partnerships.

The Growing Importance of Smart Cities and Urban Transformation

Infrastructure and urban services shape growth, health and opportunity. Projects are large, complex and long-lived, and weaknesses in planning, financing or delivery are costly to fix later.

Governments increasingly combine public investment, partnerships with the private sector and new technologies. Teams who can plan, appraise, procure and manage these investments deliver better assets and services.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

• Plan and prioritise infrastructure investments
• Appraise projects and prepare business cases
• Choose financing and delivery models
• Supervise works for time, cost and quality
• Manage assets over their life

Strong infrastructure, urban development and partnerships systems help organisations:

• Select the right investments
• Deliver projects on time and on budget
• Attract financing and partners
• Keep assets working for longer

This Smart Cities and Urban Transformation programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Who Should Attend This Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training?

This programme is designed for:

• Infrastructure and urban planners
• Engineers and technical managers
• Project and programme managers
• PPP unit staff
• Municipal and local government officials
• Transport and utility managers
• Finance and investment officers
• Procurement and contract managers
• Construction supervision consultants
• Policy and regulatory staff

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training, participants will be able to:

• Explain how infrastructure is planned and prioritised
• Appraise projects and prepare a business case
• Compare financing and delivery models, including partnerships
• Plan procurement and contracts for works
• Supervise construction for time, cost and quality
• Plan asset management and maintenance
• Build sustainability and resilience into projects
• Engage stakeholders and communities
• Prepare an action plan for their portfolio

Each objective is practised during the programme through exercises, cases or group work, so that participants leave able to do it, not only to describe it.

Programme Contents and Structure

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training Methodology

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training and Study Tour focuses on practical skills development, knowledge enhancement, and exchange regarding smart city development. The structure of the presentation, exercises, simulations, case studies, discussion questions, and modeling assignments derive from the target audience's needs. Proven adult-learning methodology and principles guide the entire process intending to maximize the effectiveness of the delivery and create a long-lasting impact. Practical exposure targets exchanging knowledge and best practices between delegates and RCI partner organizations. The city of Barcelona has been considered as “the most wired” by many. Citywide Wi-Fi and an astonishing number of hotspots cover almost the entire territory with free access in buses, metro, and markets. As Barcelona has the highest number of smartphone penetration, the government has created numerous apps to deliver public services to its residents. The city hosted the first Smart City Expo and World Congress to promote “a self-sufficient city of productive neighborhoods at human speed, inside a hyper-connected zero emissions metropolitan area” in 2011. Barcelona serves as a role model when it comes to the improvement of urban infrastructure via technology. Smart choices have been used in waste disposal, street lighting, bus transit systems, city bike systems, irrigation systems, and noise sensors just to name a few.

The programme combines:

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Peer learning across institutions and countries
• Technical visits to institutions and sites
• Daily reflection and action planning

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

Technical Visits and Site Programme

The programme includes visits to institutions, projects or sites in and around Barcelona where participants see current practice at first hand and meet the professionals responsible. Visits are confirmed with the host organisations before the programme and may change for operational reasons.

• Briefings by host institutions on their approach and results
• Guided site visits with time for questions
• Structured observation notes for each visit
• Group debrief linking what was seen to participants' own institutions

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training, participants will be able to:

• Plan and prioritise infrastructure investments
• Appraise projects and prepare business cases
• Choose financing and delivery models
• Supervise works for time, cost and quality
• Plan asset management and maintenance
• Build resilience into projects

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Institutional Application of Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

• Investment planning
• Project appraisal
• Partnership management
• Works supervision
• Asset management

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Business cases
• Risk allocation
• Contract management
• Maintenance planning
• Service monitoring

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

Regional Relevance & Application

Europe

European institutions apply infrastructure, urban development and partnerships within detailed regulatory frameworks and reform agendas. Participants from Europe can compare their practice with colleagues from other regions and test how established methods work under different conditions.

Africa

Across Africa, ministries, agencies and project teams working in infrastructure, urban development and partnerships increasingly operate alongside donor-financed programmes that expect clear systems and evidence. The programme helps participants adapt good practice to the institutions and resources they work with.

Middle East

In the Middle East, national development strategies and diversification plans place growing demands on infrastructure, urban development and partnerships. Participants explore how to build the capability these plans need inside public bodies and companies.

Asia

Institutions across Asia combine rapid growth with ambitious modernisation programmes. Participants from Asia can share their experience of scaling systems quickly and learn from approaches used elsewhere.

Pacific

Small island and Pacific states face particular constraints of size, distance and capacity. The programme highlights practical, proportionate approaches to infrastructure, urban development and partnerships that suit smaller institutions.

Holding the programme in Barcelona, Spain brings participants together away from their daily pressures, so they can compare how infrastructure, urban development and partnerships is handled in different settings. The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Host Country Profile – Spain

Programmes, Workshops, Exposures, Training Courses in Barcelona, Spain by Risalat Consultants International

Studying away from their own country gives participants time to focus, a fresh view of their own institution and the chance to build a network with colleagues from other countries.

The programme takes place at Vilana Hotel.

Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Readiness Assessment
• Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Smart Cities and Urban Transformation Training Manual
• Project Appraisal Template
• PPP Risk Allocation Matrix
• Works Supervision Checklist
• Asset Management Plan Template
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Business Case Review Checklist
• Maintenance Planning Template
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Common Challenges in Smart Cities and Urban Transformation, And How This Training Helps

How can institutions plan and prioritise infrastructure investments?

The programme addresses this directly on the first day (The evolution of Smart Cities – what are they?, The Principles of Smart Cities), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions appraise projects and prepare business cases?

The programme addresses this directly on the second day (Data collection methods and sensors, Big data analytics and its…), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions choose financing and delivery models?

The programme addresses this directly on the third day (Smart City governance models, Policy development and regulatory landscape), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions supervise works for time, cost and quality?

The programme addresses this directly on the fourth day (Smart healthcare and telemedicine, Public Safety), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

How can institutions manage assets over their life?

The programme addresses this directly on the fifth day (Technical Visits, International Practice & Institutional Action Planning), where participants practise the methods involved and adapt them to their own institution, then build it into their action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Smart Cities and Urban Transformation programme take place?

It runs from 25 Jan 2027 to 29 Jan 2027, in Barcelona, Spain (Vilana Hotel). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for infrastructure and urban planners, engineers and technical managers, project and programme managers, PPP unit staff, and others who want practical skills in infrastructure, urban development and partnerships.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in infrastructure, urban development and partnerships?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

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