The Digital District hosted the second edition of the International Forum Cities and Sustainable Tourism 5.0, organized by the Connect Clean platform in collaboration with the tech center itself and the Franco-Spanish Chamber. Across three busy days, experts from transformation, sustainable practices in large companies, and public administrations shared impressions and successful experiences both within and beyond their borders.
At the official opening, Francesc Colomer, Autonomous Tourism Secretary of the Generalitat Valenciana, attended alongside Manuel Villar, Deputy Mayor of Alicante and Councilor for the Environment, Antonio Rodes, general manager of SPTCV, and Sandrine Gil, CEO of Connect Clean.
Antonio Rhodes, CEO of SPTCV, noted the event’s capacity to foster business synergies and collaboration among participating representatives. The event aims to spark the exchange of ideas and generate new opportunities around innovation and digital solutions. He also highlighted plans for an audio-visual component related to business in the coming year.
The forum focused on key themes that shape today and tomorrow’s tourism sector: sustainability and innovation, the reduction of carbon footprints, climate change adaptation, urban accessibility plans, smart buildings, neighborhood regeneration, heritage optimization, coastline protection, mobility, infrastructure, and sports infrastructure.
In addition, round tables were held in the red room, with contributions from various participants and stakeholders.
Many attendees agreed that the cities of the future center on the citizen, aiming to be more livable, powered by renewable energy, better at resource optimization, and notably more circular and sustainable.
According to Sandrine Gil, the second edition carries a stronger international character, enriching discussions and the exchange of experiences even further. The forum featured presentations and roundtables where both companies and public and private organizations shared innovative projects in mobility, infrastructures, urban planning, and governance through Gezi.
the value of networking
A standout feature of the meeting was its emphasis on networking and B2B exchanges. The agenda remained busy with both in-person and online participation, and the event included representatives from companies and government agencies across regions such as Navarre, Andalusia, the Valencian Community, the Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, and numerous municipalities in Catalonia and surrounding areas.
Attendees also included delegates from Finland, Austria, France, Portugal, Belgium, Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Mauritania. Participants expressed satisfaction with direct access to key agents who are often hard to reach, underscoring the value of these exchanges.
On the first day, Manuel Villar presented Alicante’s Urban Agenda 2030 actions, highlighting regeneration projects and carbon footprint reduction efforts such as Alicante, Corazón Verde and Alicante Agua Circular, as part of a broader urban renewal strategy.
Regional Tourism Secretary Francesc Colomer emphasized a forward-looking stance: optimism, cross-boundary collaboration, and a shared ecosystem that supports both business and public interests. The green revolution is intertwined with digital progress to decarbonize, fight climate change, and revitalize regional identity.
program
The program drew eighty participants who shared successful experiences from their companies and their reference cities. Focus areas spanned eight major challenges: Mobility, Transport and Logistics; Energy, Climate and Environment; Education, Health and Sports; Risk Control and Security; Citizen, Inclusivity, Culture and Heritage; Tourism, Technology and New Destinations; Infrastructure and Maintenance; and Housing, Neighborhoods, City and Metropolitan Areas.
The diversity of content, the caliber of companies and projects, and the flexible format stood out as key to the event’s success.
Reducing CO2 emissions, a key goal
Reducing environmental impact and advancing sustainability were central themes. Jordan around the cities of the future included analyses conducted by José Javier Celdrán, development manager at Levante of Veolia, who outlined practical steps for ecological transformation based on three pillars: renewable energy use, efficient energy management, and CO2 compensation. Public administration was encouraged to lead by example in decarbonization efforts.
Uxue Itoiz, General Manager of Industry, Energy and Strategic Projects for the Government of Navarra, highlighted the need for active civic participation to drive change. Celsa Monrós, regional secretary for climate emergency and ecological transition for the Generalitat Valenciana, stressed the crucial role of companies in decarbonization and the importance of environmental education and awareness.
Round tables continued to explore how collaboration between public and private sectors accelerates decarbonization and sustainable development. In Alicante, Gezi connected innovation addressed tourist saturation and visitor density management as a critical issue for the region.
Metropolitan area, mobility and transport
The forum also examined global trends in construction, transportation, and the built environment. Data shared during a conference noted that construction accounts for a substantial share of energy consumption and emissions, materials use, and waste. The Generalitat Valenciana emphasized the circular economy approach to decarbonize the built environment and improve habitat resilience, while pursuing sustainable mobility in all sectors, including maritime transport.
venture exchange
On the final day, infrastructure and maintenance discussions, Gezi, technology, and new destinations framed the gatherings as a vector for inclusion. The aim was to boost smoother daily traffic and shape future mobility through digital infrastructure upgrades.
The organizer, Sandrine Gil, concluded with a call to strengthen ties between public and private spaces. The events demonstrated that high-quality presentations and practical roundtables can effectively link business initiatives with public action across the national landscape, reinforcing the value of such exchanges.
The meeting point of technological supply and demand
The II Forum also featured a technical seminar led by Juan Ignacio Torregrosa, managing director for the Advancement of the Digital Society, focused on showcasing standout business initiatives. The Digital Zone aligned with Open Innovation Challenges and the Franco-Spanish Chamber, including speed networking sessions that connected startups, companies, and invited institutions.
Franco-Spanish Chamber members Veolia, Lacroix, ESRI, Seeders Capital, FOQUM OpZaim, Smart To, and others participated, along with companies such as Agbar, ENVAC, Iberdrola, Siemens, and more. The involvement of diverse players highlighted a shared commitment to sustainability through projects in IoT, energy solutions, and smart city technologies.