Suara Cooperativa has participated in various events at the Smart City Expo World Congress to share innovative solutions in community-based housing, longevity and mental health, highlighting the role of social organisations in transforming cities.
Smart cities are not built on technology alone. They must also be able to respond to people's needs, promote autonomy and create more inclusive environments. With this approach, Suara Cooperativa took part in the Smart City Expo World Congress 2026, held in Barcelona from 3 to 5 November, sharing experiences and solutions that contribute to transforming housing and care models.
Community-based housing and longevity: new models for changing needs
Dúnia Roselló, Area Director at Suara Cooperativa, participated in two international panel discussions on the future of housing and care.
During the first session, held at the HOWS Barcelona – Housing World Summit, she presented Cohabitem BCN, a pilot project developed in partnership with Kuvu and supported by the BIT Habitat Foundation of Barcelona City Council. The initiative connects older people living alone with young people looking for affordable housing. The project has already established 13 intergenerational connections across eight districts of Barcelona.
The session also highlighted the value of social organisations, which have first-hand knowledge of people's needs and the capacity to test innovative solutions. Participants also discussed the challenge of adapting regulatory and contractual frameworks to help these initiatives become established and expand their impact.
The second panel, focusing on innovative housing solutions for longevity in European cities, provided an opportunity to showcase several Suara initiatives designed to help older people continue living independently and enjoying a good quality of life.
These include DOMIS, which uses non-invasive technology to improve safety at home; Casal TV, which encourages participation in activities and social interaction through television to combat unwanted loneliness; and assistive robotics initiatives in residential care homes, which complement the support provided by care professionals.
Innovation and mental health to create environments that care
Suara's presence at the congress also included the participation of its Innovation team in the space hosted by ACCIÓ, the Government of Catalonia's agency for business competitiveness.
As part of the WeMind International Forum, Xavier Vinuesa, a psychologist and specialist at Suara Cooperativa, participated in a panel discussion during the Spaces that Care and Heal event, which explored the relationship between architecture, urban planning and mental health. Vinuesa shared insights from the Emotio project, an initiative that uses immersive reality to provide therapeutic support.
Meanwhile, Jordi Picas, Director of Innovation at Suara, served on the scientific committee of the Brain Health Innovation Awards – WeMind Awards 2026, which recognise innovative projects in mental health, neuroscience and longevity.
Through its participation, Suara Cooperativa strengthens its role in transforming the care model, combining the expertise gained through its services with its capacity for innovation to help create cities that take everyone's needs into account, particularly those of people who require greater support.
