Smart Cities Bilbao’s Lessons for Smarter Cities For decades, Bilbao was defined by heavy industry, shipbuilding and port activities. The industrial crisis of the 1980s, combined with environmental degradation, rising unemployment and the devastating floods of 1983, forced the city to rethink its urban and economic model. Today, Bilbao's transformation offers valuable lessons for cities across Mexico and Central America. A smart city does not begin with technology—it begins with a shared vision, institutions capable of sustaining it, and public policies centered on people. A Long-Term Vision Our visit to Bilbao made it clear that its transformation was not the result of isolated projects. It was built upon a long-term strategic plan supported by different levels of government and implemented through specialized institutions. This consensus made it possible to convert former industrial sites and contaminated land into public spaces, housing, cultural facilities and new economic districts. For Latin America, where urban policies often change with each administration, the main lesson is straightforward: continuity is essential for transforming a city. Mobility as a Tool to Improve Quality of Life Bilbao stopped viewing mobility simply as a way to move people. Instead, it became a tool to reclaim public space and improve everyday life. The city was among the first to introduce a 30 km/h speed limit across much of its urban area, reducing accidents, noise and emissions while encouraging local commerce and more walkable streets. At the same time, Bilbao expanded public transport, cycling infrastructure and underground parking facilities. The goal was never to ban cars, but to provide enough alternatives so that driving would become a choice rather than a necessity. An Accessible City for Everyone Accessibility became a central priority in response to both Bilbao's aging population and its hilly geography. Urban elevators, ramps, escalators and funiculars connect neighborhoods