Smart city - that is, a city that uses modern technology to improve the quality of life and public services. How far are we from modern trend-setting metropolises in this area? This was discussed by experts at the Economic Convention at the Association of Fahrenheit Universities in Gdańsk.

The Economic Convention, which took place on Friday, October 28, in the Hydromechanics building at Gdańsk University of Technology, was attended by experts from academia, business and industry. The event aimed to work out methods for developing metropolitan areas as centres of economic and social growth and the idea of managing them wisely, using the latest technological solutions, the wisdom of residents and local resources.

- 'We want to jointly set directions and pursue goals that serve the development of our region, with the active participation and cooperation of the socio-economic environment,' - said the Chairman of the Assembly of the Association of Fahrenheit Universities, the Rector of the Medical University of Gdańsk, prof. Marcin Gruchała. - 'As part of the numerous initiatives undertaken by Fahrenheit Universities, we very often benefit from the synergy that we, as three leading Pomeranian universities, have been successfully building and developing for over two years.'

The Economic Convention is changing its formula

The formula of the convention, which so far functioned under the Rector of the Gdańsk University of Technology and now as part of the Fahrenheit Universities (which GUT co-founded with the Medical University of Gdańsk and the University of Gdańsk), involves the exchange of experience and the development of cooperation between the scientific and business communities.

- 'The Fahrenheit Universities became a supporting member of the Metropolitan Area and thus joined the group of a dozen or so institutions, foundations and universities that want to strengthen the relationship with industry and business and create attractive places to live and work in Pomerania,' - said the President of Employers of Pomerania and Chairman of the Economic Convention at the Association of Fahrenheit Universities, dr Zbigniew Canowiecki.

In the previous edition of the convention, held in May, experts discussed the future of the post-shipyard areas in Gdańsk. This time, the main topic was a concept of a Smart City.

Smart cities - a debate among experts

The debate, the main point of the programme, was preceded by introductory speeches on the subject of Smart City, delivered by representatives of Fahrenheit Universities.

Prof. GUT Aleksander Orłowski drew attention to the multifaceted nature of the Smart City concept and the variety of challenges it responds to: - 'Some cities are facing very rapid development. The question is how to provide the rapidly growing population with good quality healthcare and education, or efficient transport. On the other hand, there will be many large cities, for example in Poland, whose populations will be declining. The answer to both challenges is a smart city.'

Prof. Maciej Grzybek of the Medical University of Gdańsk talked about modern cities from a completely different perspective, emphasising the role of the ecosystem in which they are located: - 'Biodiversity also has an impact on how we will function. Studies have shown that every city in the world has a unique microbiome, i.e. a composition of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Therefore, there is no single, solution for every city.'

A presentation by dr Hanna Obracht-Prondzyńska from the University of Gdańsk discussed the social aspect of contemporary problems of residents and how they function: - 'Thanks to new technologies, we have social communication tools in our hands that would allow residents to draw their dream city. Only knowledge will allow us to design better cities. Now it is we who shape them, but ultimately they shape us and affect the quality of our lives.'

In turn, the debate, which was moderated by Krzysztof Kilian, was attended by prof. Andrzej Czyżewski (Gdańsk University of Technology), the Chief Executive Officer of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area Michał Glaser, the architect of the City of Gdańsk prof. Piotr Lorens, Marta Siciarek (Office of the Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship), Adam Sudoł (Medical University of Gdańsk), dr hab. Jakub Szlachetko (University of Gdańsk) and the Director of Fahrenheit Universities prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska.

- 'Smart Cities should be seen much more broadly than just in the context of innovative technologies. It is a sustainable city and comfort resulting from new urban planning solutions and appropriate spatial organisation of the city,' - explained prof. Piotr Lorens, architect of the City of Gdańsk.

- 'The convention takes place during the 10th edition of the Smart Metropolis congress, during which we emphasise every year that the basis of the Smart City is not technology at all, but people. A smart city can discuss and solve problems together with its inhabitants. The challenge is to harness and coordinate these ideas,' - said Michał Glaser, Chief Executive Officer of the G-G-S Metropolitan Area. - 'It is sometimes said that we cannot afford Smart City solutions, while it is financial savings that should urge us to ensure that every new investment or renovation in the city solves a transport, climate, education or health problem. During the Convention, we showed many examples of how to do this.'

Smart Metropolis Conference in Gdańsk

The theme of urban design, also in the context of the crisis and climate change, was discussed more extensively by OMGGS during the 10th Smart Metropolis Congress on October 27-28 this year.

On the first day of the congress, the Smart Metropolis 2022 Awards Gala was held, during which the Fahrenheit Universities were recognised for their efforts to integrate academia and local government. The award was received on behalf of the Universities by the Vice-Rector for Science of GUMed prof. Michał Markuszewski, the Vice-Rector for Science of PG prof. Slawomir Milewski and the Vice-Rector for Research of UG prof. Wiesław Laskowski.

For more information about the FarU initiatives and mission, see www.faru.edu.pl.