Spanish cities that are among the top 100 smart cities

Barcelona, ​​along with Bilbao, Zaragoza, and Madrid, is among the 100 smartest cities in the world, according to the Smart City Index 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The ranking, which analyzes a total of 146 cities, highlights these four Spanish cities for their progress in smart urban planning.

This analysis, conducted in Lausanne in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design, is based on a combination of objective data and citizen surveys about aspects such as mobility, digitalization, security, governance, and sustainability.

Where do these Spanish cities rank in the report?

For 2025, the ranking is led by Zurich in first place and Oslo in second, maintaining the same position as the previous year. The first Spanish city to appear on the list is Bilbao, which doesn’t show up until the 29th position. It’s ahead of other major cities such as Berlin and Sydney, all thanks to its urban transformation model, energy improvements, and expansion of digital services.

However, not far behind this list is Madrid in 38th place, ahead of cities like Brussels and New York, and Zaragoza, in 52nd place, which has gained positions in comparison to the previous year. All thanks to its commitment to digitizing municipal services, promoting the circular economy, and using renewable energy.

Although Barcelona has dropped from previous years, it still holds the 92nd position, recognized for its efforts in open data, citizen platforms, and sustainable urban planning.

CONSEQUENCES

Although these figures represent good indicators of prosperity and job opportunities, they can also lead to housing-related problems. Arturo Bris, director of the IMD’s Global Competitiveness Center, warns about it: “Economic growth in many cities is often accompanied by an increase in the cost of living, especially housing prices, which can generate social inequality.”

Furthermore, as the same report points out, external factors, such as rising material prices and tariffs, negatively impact urban development, making construction processes more expensive. This aspect undoubtedly requires attention, since, as Bris also explains, “We have moved into a fragmented economy, and major urban areas will be the center of all economic activities in the coming years.” These remarks on the growing importance of cities and the urgency of transforming them into decent, sustainable, and stable living spaces.

Therefore, the ranking adjusts its assessments according to each city’s level of human development to ensure a fair comparison. A truly smart city is one that successfully integrates economic and technological growth with sustainability and social justice, all aimed at improving the quality of life of its inhabitants, within its own limitations.