How can technology make everyday city life better? That was the main question as Casablanca Smart City opened its 10th edition on Wednesday, bringing together government officials, urban experts, researchers and technology companies from Morocco and abroad.
This year’s event is taking place under the theme: “Augmented Smart City: 10 Years of Innovation Serving Urban Transformation across Culture, Sport and the Economy.” It’s a chance to look back on a decade of work while also focusing on the next generation of tools that could help cities run more efficiently.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Abderrahim Outass, Vice President of Casablanca’s Municipal Council, said the forum has helped support projects ranging from public transport improvements to digital government services and the development of green spaces.
He said the next stage of progress will depend on cooperation, digital skills among young people and stronger partnerships with cities around the world.
Much of this year’s discussion centres on technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins and connected infrastructure.
Digital twins are virtual copies of a city that allow planners to test ideas before putting them into practice. They can be used to study traffic flows, assess development projects and improve emergency planning. Artificial intelligence can also help cities manage transport, energy use and public services more effectively.
Mohamed Jouahri, General Director of Casablanca Events and Animation, said the event reflects ten years of work involving public institutions, businesses, universities and civil society. The gathering welcomes experts from several countries and features the French city of Toulouse as guest of honour.
The partnership between Casablanca and Toulouse is one of the key themes of this year’s edition.
Djillali Lahiani, Deputy Mayor of Toulouse for European and International Affairs, said cooperation between the two cities began ten years ago and has since expanded to include startup support, training programmes, cultural exchanges and environmental projects.
“Youth must remain at the heart of building the cities of tomorrow,” he said.
Professor Aawatif Hayar, President of the Casablanca Smart City Scientific Committee, said the city’s goal is to combine technology with social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
She said the next step is the development of an “augmented city”, where artificial intelligence and smart infrastructure help improve services, support economic growth and give residents a greater role in local decision-making.
The two-day event includes conferences on digital government, mobility and social inclusion. It also features an Innovation Village for startups and technology companies, as well as a SportTech Hackathon focused on solutions for sports facilities and events.
Since it was launched in 2016, Casablanca Smart City has grown into one of Africa’s leading forums on urban innovation. Over the past ten editions, organisers say the event has welcomed more than 42,000 participants, 685 companies and startups, 661 speakers and representatives from 181 cities.
