Spain Leads Europe with the Highest Number of Smart Cities, Showcasing Regional Innovation and Sustainability
Spain leads Europe with 21 smart cities, driven by IoT innovation and regional cooperation, while the Canary Islands emerge as a sustainable development model recognized by the UN.
- • Spain has the highest number of smart cities in Europe, with 21 cities ranked by the European Commission.
- • Euskadi leads Spanish regions with six smart cities, including Bilbao and San Sebastián.
- • IoT technology enables significant energy and cost savings in urban infrastructure.
- • The Canary Islands are recognized by the United Nations for sustainability policies and innovation as part of the 2030 Agenda.
- • Regional cooperation between the Canary Islands and Euskadi promotes innovation and improved public services.
Key details
Spain has solidified its position as Europe's frontrunner in smart city development, boasting 21 smart cities—more than any other country in the continent, according to the European Commission. This accomplishment was highlighted at the recent Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, which drew 25,000 visitors and featured over 1,100 exhibitors. The Basque Country (Euskadi) stands out within Spain, leading with six smart cities including Bilbao, San Sebastián, and Vitoria-Gasteiz. Other regions making notable contributions include Catalonia with Barcelona and surrounding municipalities, as well as Navarra and Madrid.
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology plays a pivotal role in these advances, enabling significant efficiencies: up to 40% savings in public lighting, a 20% reduction in smart building energy costs, and 12% electricity savings through smart meters. 1NCE supports approximately 1,400 companies in Spain's smart city sector, underscoring the scale and momentum of this technological integration.
In parallel, the Canary Islands are gaining recognition as a sustainability benchmark. The United Nations recently acknowledged the region for its systemic approach to sustainable policies, viewing its unique insularity as a "laboratory" for innovation in energy transition, water management, circular economy, and social cohesion. This recognition came during a meeting between Canary Islands' Deputy Counselor Octavio Caraballo and the UN's Local 2030 Coalition Deputy Director Iñigo Albiol. Caraballo emphasized the region’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the importance of territorial cooperation, exemplified by collaboration agreements between the Canary Islands and Euskadi aimed at fostering innovation and improving public services.
These regional efforts reflect Spain's leadership not only in deploying smart city technologies but also in leveraging sustainability as a driver of competitiveness and improved quality of life, making Spain a key local and global player in urban innovation.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.