The MERIT Project at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), represented by the UPC Technology Center (CIT UPC), took part once again in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 (SCEWC25), held from 4 to 6 November at Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via. Recognised as the world’s leading event on urban innovation, this year’s edition achieved record-breaking attendance figures, with over 27,000 visitors, 1,200 exhibitors, and more than 650 international speakers exploring solutions for smarter, greener, and more liveable cities. 

At the UPC stand, which attracted 96 visitors, the university presented an impressive selection of cutting-edge projects, prototypes, and demonstrators that highlight its contribution to sustainable urban transformation. Attendees experienced interactive demos, immersive 3D visualisations, and real-world applications of UPC research in areas such as digitalisation, circular construction, climate adaptation, and urban mobility. 

Among the showcased initiatives, the MERIT project, co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme, had a strong and visible presence. MERIT is advancing digital skills development across Europe by creating a pan-European education ecosystem and an industry-driven master’s programme focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Throughout the event, leaflets and other branding materials were distributed to raise awareness about MERIT’s training opportunities and growing network of universities and companies. Additionally, the project’s promotional video, continuously displayed on a large screen, captured visitors’ attention, while MERIT-branded pens offered a tangible reminder of the initiative’s commitment to empowering digital skills across Europe. 

Alongside MERIT, several other UPC-led projects demonstrated innovative applications of research for smarter and more resilient cities: 

• DISCOVER – AI- and robotics-based solutions to promote circularity and sustainability in the construction sector. 
• La Volta – An architectural innovation combining traditional Catalan vaulting techniques with advanced materials and digital fabrication. 
• CIRC-BOOST – Circular technologies enabling sustainable construction processes and efficient material reuse. 
• BITSDRAIN – Porous bituminous pavements designed to enhance sustainable urban drainage and mitigate flooding risks. 
• RELUM – Reflective pavements and coatings to help counter the urban heat island effect. 
• SATE-VEG – A building retrofitting system that integrates vegetation-based façades to reduce energy use and cooling demand. 
• BioSAFE – Development of bio-based, fire-resistant, and acoustic-performing materials for sustainable building design. 
• Interactive Map on Heat Vulnerability – A digital decision-support tool evaluating housing exposure to extreme heat in Barcelona. 
• 3D DEMO – Plaça de la Virreina – An immersive simulation of the microclimate and radiant environment of a Barcelona square using 3D goggles. 

In addition to the MERIT project, other UPC’s off-site and ongoing projects captured interest for their potential societal impact, such as UPCxels (an AI-based open data space), E-MED Interreg (fostering sustainable Euro-Mediterranean transport), FIREPRIME (improving wildfire prevention strategies), Spot4Dis (mapping accessible parking spaces), OCEAN (optimising electrical energy systems), and EU.FFICIENT (promoting co-creation and collaborative innovation in Europe). 

The UPC’s participation in SCEWC25 reaffirmed its role as a key driver of urban innovation, connecting research, industry, and policy to co-create smarter and more sustainable cities. The MERIT project exemplifies this commitment, advancing the transition towards smart and digital cities by empowering digitally skilled professionals prepared for Europe’s future.

To learn more about the MERIT project’s presence at SCEWC25, visit smartcity.upc.edu.