On 11-12 June 2025, at ZEN.COM EXPO Rzeszów-Jasionka, the 20th edition of the Smart City Forum was held in parallel with the Polish safety Congress.
The legislature was co-hosted by the City of Rzeszów, so the task gained not only a unique frame, but besides a strong settlement in the region, which plays a key function in the safety and improvement strategy of modern technologies in Poland.
The event brought together hundreds of experts, local government, government and business representatives who discussed the future of smart cities and the safety of the country. The Forum began with a joint inaugural panel, which merged Smart City Forum and legislature safety of Poland, and then the participants continued their deliberations in the dedicated Smart City Forum conference space.
The inauguration of the event was unique and symbolic, highlighting the importance of cooperation for the improvement of smart and safe cities. Speeches by Konrad Fijolek, president of the City of Rzeszów, Co-Chair of the Programme Council of KBP, Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of Podkarpackie Voivodeship and Adam Górel, president of the Supervisory Board of Podkarpackie Business Club, The president of the Management Board of Asseco Poland opened a debate on the function of local governments, business and administration in building modern urban structures and strengthening national security.
The letter from Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of National Defence, and the speech of Undersecretary of State Rafał Rosiński on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski, completed the image of ambitious plans for digital transformation and defence of Poland.
The Smart City Forum Thematic way was opened by Maciej Bluj, president of the Programme Council, Expert in smart city solutions, Vice president of the City of Wrocław from 2007 to 2018, who stressed the importance of the jubilee edition and the increasing function of technology in urban development.
The first subject block “Designing cities for residents” focused on creating friendly and inclusive spaces where technology supports the intellectual and physical wellness of residents. Participants discussed the digital transformation of public services and the ethical approach to creating urban solutions. It stressed the importance of designing services and spaces in the spirit of human-centric plan and of taking into account the function of the citizen in the 4.0 age.
The "Urbantech – tools for the technological evolution of cities" block discussed the possible of fresh technologies in city management. The debates afraid digital twins, artificial intelligence, cloud solutions and private 5G networks that support spatial planning and infrastructure. Experts pointed out the importance of UrbanLabs and the engagement of residents in the digital transformation process to build public assurance and better quality of life.
During the "Regionals on Prepared" session, the focus was on cooperation between local governments and emergency services and on building regional consequence systems. Speakers pointed out the request to make common cybersecurity platforms and service centres common to data protection. An crucial subject was besides the function of residents and technologies in monitoring urban space and strengthening local security. The celebration of the first day of the event was the Gala, during which the Smart City Awards were presented, distinguishing the most innovative projects and leaders in the field of smart cities.
The second day of the Forum was preceded by the speech by Jacek Karnowski, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, who in his speech stressed the relevance of the merger of the Smart City Forum with the legislature of safety of Poland, pointing to the close links and common penetration of both areas. He pointed out that the future of modern cities could not be built without simultaneously reasoning about their safety and resilience to modern threats.
The "New Urban Energy Age" is dedicated to the modernisation of energy systems and the improvement of renewable energy sources in cities. Participants discussed micronetworks, energy retention and urban cooperation with local business. It was stressed that the digitisation of the energy sector is key to building energy independency and achieving climate objectives.
As part of “Data as a currency of a modern city”, experts discussed the importance of data quality and integration for better city management. The talks besides afraid the protection of privacy of residents and the anticipation of commercialisation of data. Attention was paid to the function of modern technologies specified as blockchain in building assurance in digital public services.
The "Resistent City" block focused on safety as an component of urban planning and adaptation of cities to climate change. The importance of city monitoring was debated utilizing interactive applications and sensor networks and support for regeneration cities. Participants stressed the request for a comprehensive approach to building cities' resilience to civilizational and environmental threats.
An crucial component of the Smart City Forum was the closed session - civilian Defence Workshop. The gathering brought together a large delegation of local government and administration representatives from Ukraine, who shared priceless experiences from the first days of the war and effective practices in crisis management, organisation of office work and provision of services to residents in emergency conditions. The workshops became a platform for the exchange of cognition between Ukrainian and Polish cities.
During the "Mobility Without Emissions – A City That Leaves No Trace", the challenges of developing zero-emission transport were discussed. The function of electromobility, urban traffic management and the integration of payment services in mobility hubs was discussed. Experts agreed that the future of cities was environmentally friendly and data-based transport.
The "Smart management – smart city in practice and contemporary urban models" block closed two-day meetings. Participants discussed the standardisation of solutions, cooperation between cities and the function of leaders in the digital transformation. Attention was drawn to the request to build interoperable urban systems and guarantee continuity of transformation projects.
The jubilee edition of the Smart City Forum showed that Polish cities take on the challenges of digitisation, sustainable improvement and safety with determination and courage. The Forum has become an crucial platform for exchanging experience and inspiration, setting directions for smart urban improvement in the coming years.
Among the speakers were:
➢ Jacek Karnowski, Secretary of State, Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy
Konrad Fijolek, president of the City of Rzeszów
Agata Wojda, president of the City of Kielce
Aldona Machnowska-Mora, Deputy president of Warsaw
➢ Maciej Kupaj, president of Legnica City
Robert Szewczyk, president of the City of Olsztyn
➢ Rafał Pietrucień, Deputy president of the City of Toruń
Sabina Nowosielska, president of the City of Kędzierzyn-Koźle
➢ Maciej Grammar, president of Tychy City
➢ Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim City president Sopot
➢ Tomasz Misko, Deputy president of the City of Steel Wola
Piotr Przytocki, president of the City of Krosno
➢ Anna Brzezińska, associate of the Management Board, Marshal's Office of Mazowieckie Province
Dr. Anna Bober, Deputy Chief National Surveyor
Strategic partners: Polish Non-cash Foundation, PLAY, Visa
Partners: ATOS, EMKA, Esri Polska, Group Grand, PIKUM, Sprint, Steady Energy, SUEZ, T-Mobile, TeleKTG, HTEAM, ABAK, PROFESCAPITAL
Media Partner: m-sound
Logistics partner: mmc events
Technology partner: Gridaly
Translation partner: Bireta
The legislature is carried out as part of the activities of MMC Polska, which organises prestigious congresses, conferences, workshops and business trainings dedicated to management staff and corporate boards. More at www.mmcpolska.pl.
== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man
