22nd Karlsruhe Dialogues - Speakers

SmartSantander: From the Smart City Paradigm to the Digital Single Market

 

Prof. Dr. Luis Muñoz

Speaker

Professor Luis Muñoz earned a degree and PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Spain, respectively in 1990 and 1995. He also holds a Master in Mathematics, Statistic, and Operation Research (Licenciado en Ciencias Matemáticas, UNED). His research focuses on advanced data transmission techniques, heterogeneous wireless multihop networks, Internet of Things, technologies and services in the context of smart cities, and applied mathematical methods for telecommunications. He has participated in several national and European research projects belonging to the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th and H2020 Framework Programme in which he has been the technical manager of SmartSantander. He has published over 150 journal and conference papers and serves as the editor of several journals. Furthermore, Muñoz has been invited to participate in the Steering Committee and Technical Programme Committee of the most relevant international conferences. In parallel to this activity, he serves as consultant for the Spanish Government as well as for different companies in Europe and the USA. Last but not least, he has been an expert of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the European Commission.

 

Statements

1. What do you consider to be an ‘intelligent’ city?

There are different aspects to be considered in the concept of the intelligent city. One refers to a city that is able to optimise the provision of urban services and processes with the final aim of improving the quality of life of its citizens. A second aspect refers to the consolidation of an ecosystem in which knowledge and innovation play a key role in ‘producing’ citizens with new skills leveraging on the co-creation activities driven by the city.

 

2. In your opinion, what are the most urgent problems that have to be solved on the way to intelligent cities?

The digital transformation of cities needs a review of the legal framework. Much more agility is needed to avoid losing the momentum of each decision. Furthermore, it is important to adopt common standards. This will reduce the cost linked to the adoption of new technologies and services.

 

3. What are, in your opinion, the most exceptional chances arising with the change towards smart cities?

I think that we are living in a revolution similar to the one we had when initiating digital cellular communications. Cities provide a unique framework for setting up a new economic model in which knowledge and innovation are two fundamental pillars. This will probably reshape society as mobile communications did in the way human beings nowadays work, communicate, and interact.