We participated in the prestigious ‘FIL Pensamiento’ program to discuss how digital transformation must serve urban health and human well-being.
Guadalajara (Mexico) / Barcelona – Last week, Healthy Cities had the privilege of participating in one of the most significant cultural and intellectual events in the world: the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) 2025. With Barcelona serving as the Guest of Honor for this edition, our participation was featured within the renowned FIL Pensamiento (FIL Thought) conference cycle.
Our session, held on Thursday, December 4th, was part of the “Cities Forum”, specifically addressing the theme: Cities of the Future: The Right to Care and Digital Transformation.
A Crucial Debate: Technology vs. Humanism?
In a global context where urban areas are expanding rapidly and technology is redefining our daily lives, the session brought a fundamental question to the forefront: How do we ensure that a “smart city” is also a “healthy city”?
During the panel, we joined international experts to reflect on the idea that urban planning must not only be intelligent regarding data but also empathetic regarding care. We argued that digital transformation is not an end in itself, but a tool that must facilitate the Right to Care—improving accessibility, combating unwanted loneliness, and creating environments that actively promote physical and mental health.
“The city of the future is not measured by the sensors it has installed, but by how it uses that technology to care for its most vulnerable citizens.”
Barcelona and Guadalajara: Building Urban Bridges
Barcelona’s role as Guest of Honor allowed for the strengthening of ties between both sides of the Atlantic, sharing common challenges such as the climate emergency, urban density, and the need to reclaim public space for people.
At Healthy Cities, we value this experience immensely. It reaffirms our commitment to placing health at the center of all urban policies, whether through the physical design of our streets or the ethical implementation of new technologies.
Watch the Session
If you were unable to attend or watch live, you can view the full discussion and the insights shared on the official FIL Guadalajara channel:
