Barcelona, 2020). The survey also asked respondents about players from the tech world, including Google, were absent. activities that are not commonly considered cultural activities— Nevertheless, the congress is still an opportunity to explore the for example, walking, team sports, and games. These things technologies of tomorrow and to discover the latest innovations. were framed as “modern cultural activities” in the survey. The MWC organizing team and the institutions working with it (for example, Barcelona City Council, the Ministry of Industry, In total, 1,650 respondents from throughout the city took and companies) have confirmed their commitment to keep part in the survey, which took into account disposable family running this event each year. income so that all income levels were considered within the results (Ajuntament Barcelona, 2020). The survey showed Previously, the event had an estimated economic impact of that people living in low-income neighborhoods have different around five hundred million euros for the city. Every year, it culture-related needs and a greater desire to participate in brings over 2,400 companies and more than one hundred cultural activities compared to those living in areas that are thousand visitors from all over the world to Barcelona more affluent. Inequalities in cultural participation confirmed (Ajuntament Barcelona, 2020) the social and urban disparities in the city. In Barcelona, most citizens appear to place a very high value on culture, regardless 4. Opportunities of neighborhood, gender, ethnicity, or nationality (Ajuntament Barcelona, 2020). The city’s public libraries, community centers, A smart city program must improve people’s quality of life. and other local cultural facilities are highly rated by local Therefore, identifying how a smart city program helps to residents (Ajuntament Barcelona, Barcelona Institute of Culture stimulate the economy and provides opportunities for everyone (2020) Survey of the cultural perception and cultural needs in is essential, and doing so helps to generate analysis that Barcelona. https://barcelonadadescultura.bcn.cat/a-survey-of- shows the benefit of education and employment initiatives. the-cultural-needs-of-citizens/?lang=en). This section will discuss opportunities related to employment, access to school, and integration of minorities. To assess the 3.2.2 Smart city expo world congress economic attractiveness of the city, lifelong opportunities are Between November 19 and 21, 2019, Barcelona hosted the also part of this section’s analysis. Smart City Expo World Congress. The event brought together experts, city mayors, and multinational firms in the same place. 4.1 Employment-finding services There were 24,399 attendees from more than seven hundred cities and 146 countries, as well as 1,010 exhibitors (Fira Like many cities, Barcelona has dedicated websites for helping Barcelona, 2019), a 15 percent increase in attendance compared people to find a job. The region is still recovering from the to the 2018 event. The exposition had an economic impact of economic crisis that began in 2008. Although unemployment over ninety million euros for the region (Fira Barcelona, 2019). is lower in Catalonia than it is elsewhere in Spain, citizens face a “fear” of losing their jobs, which gives companies in The five main topics discussed at the 2020 Smart City Expo traditional industries (manufacturing and commercial services) World Congress were digital transformation, urban areas, bargaining power. Because of the vast numbers of tourists who mobility, governance, financing options, and an inclusive and visit Barcelona every year, demand for English speakers is high collaborative city. By hosting these events, Barcelona confirms within Barcelona’s companies, though speaking Catalan is also its position as a leader among smart cities in Europe, while an advantage for every employment position. the events create opportunities to identify innovation and companies that could provide a sustainable solution for the city. On one hand, companies in Barcelona know that the recruitment market is competitive. Some active recruitment 3.2.3 World mobile congress agencies exist to help them connect with job seekers. On the In addition to hosting the Smart City World Expo, Barcelona also other hand, the report Understanding the Challenges and hosts the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the world’s premier Opportunities of Smart Cities, conducted by Philips Lighting exposition focused on mobile devices. and Smart Cities World in 2018, states that, “The council (Barcelona) estimates that the application of IoT systems Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was canceled has created 47,000 jobs” in the city to date. Barcelona City in 2020 (Ajuntament Barcelona, 2020). Initially scheduled Council has also implemented many initiatives to ensure for February, the 2021 Mobile World Congress was finally the quality of employment services. In 2019, the City Council held in late June and early July of 2021. However, many big implemented a quality employment project for 4,500 individuals 96 Quélin and Smadja | HEC PARIS | SMART CITIES | The sustainable program of six leading cities | 2021