There is a persistent need to consider the future of the cities worth living in as the world's population growth propels urbanization in many regions of the world. It is essential to remember that technology can facilitate prosperity, well-being, urban livability, and social justice, but only with the appropriate digital elements to complement the technology. The ultimate goal of these smart cities is to facilitate and enhance human and social welfare.

A technologically advanced urban setting known as a "smart city" employs the ubiquitous connection among numerous digital devices and sensors to enhance urban development projects and collect data. In turn, the data and information improve operations throughout the city.

Carlos Moreno, a university associate professor of French and Colombian descent, is well-known in the scientific community worldwide. He proved his prowess in smart cities with his vision of a living city under the Human Smart City concept. Carlos Moreno was the French Pavilion ambassador for Floriade, the world's largest cultural, economic, and ecological gathering in the Netherlands, in October 2022 under the Growing Green Cities theme.

As the head of the Scientific Committee for the International Forum of the Human Smart City, Moreno works to develop a vision of the Smart City. The motive is to build one that prioritizes its residents' needs and quality of life through its services and uses. Moreno, a researcher in complex systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence, contrasts this idea with a new vision of the living city.

Operational Process of the Smart City

Smart cities use data and digital technologies to make better decisions and enhance the quality of life. There are proper channels and resources to evaluate road and transport systems. City managers and administrators can more efficiently manage power plants, utilities, water supply networks, garbage, criminal investigations, schools, libraries, hospitals, and resources. Innovative technology enables cities to serve their residents better despite rapid population growth, from better traffic management to the ability to monitor and track the positions of buses and trains. 

The idea of "human smart cities" has led to infrastructure improvements and the introduction of technological integration in governance, waste management, manufacturing, active transportation, and better connection. Professor Moreno created the idea of the "sustainable digital city" in 2006 as a workable framework to offer the services required to guarantee a city's citizens' welfare. His analysis of urban systems and technology came before the "smart city" idea gained popularity in 2010.

He created the concept of the "Human Smart City" in 2012 in response to the prevalent technological model of the smart city. In 2014, he further enhanced it with the "Living City" concept.

Environment and its Challenges

Environmental protection has unquestionably evolved into a shared understanding and development plan of all nations around the globe. Humanity is currently attempting to enter the historical postindustrial and sustainable development process. As explained by professor Moreno, the actual task is to live more harmoniously, add value, be conscious of environmental concerns, and prioritize the quality of life.

Entrepreneurialism and Efforts of Carlos Moreno

Professor Moreno joined the Richelieu Committee, an organization of high-tech SMEs, as vice president to encourage the entrepreneurialism of researchers and innovators. The Richelieu Committee promotes market access for start-ups and SMEs with the "SME Pact," modeled after the US Small Business Act. He was the head of the research links, and in this capacity, he signed the "Pacte PME Recherche" with OSEO (now BPI).

Professor Moreno was part of the 2006 establishment of the Carnot Institutes, a framework for university technology transfer in France. He was a jury member for the Institut d'Excellence en Energies Decarbonees, which later changed its name to the Institut de la Transition Energetique.

Using Scientific Knowledge to Enhance Urban Development

Moreno is the scientific director of Sorbonne University in France's Entrepreneurship, Territory, and Innovation. Professor Moreno's innovative work and distinctive approach to urban issues have brought him recognition on a global scale. He is a scientific advisor at high national and international levels. These include the Mayor of Paris, for whom he has been the special envoy for smart cities, the world cities organization as the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization, and academic institutions such as the City Diplomacy Lab at Columbia Global Centers.

With these technologies, putting the needs of the people first can provide users with far more control over their data and enable more specialized services. In the years to come, emerging technologies will majorly impact social transformation. They will contribute to a more interconnected society. Carlos Moreno uses scientific knowledge and research to promote the human smart city concept to eliminate urban planning challenges.