Kiwa España Wins The Valencia Innovation Capital Award

Cities that take care of us

The Innovation Team at Kiwa España was honoured at the Valencia Innovation Capital 2025 Awards for the development of the project “Valencia: A Green, Healthy and Sustainable City,” receiving the award in the Smart Cities & GovTech category.

The ceremony took place at Sala Mutant (C/ Verdaguer, 22, Valencia), in an event that combined institutional recognition with live music, creating an atmosphere that celebrated both creativity and technological progress. The event was attended by Paula Llobet, Councillor for Tourism, Innovation and Investment Attraction, highlighting the city’s strong institutional commitment to innovation as a driver of sustainable urban development.

Promoted by Kiwa España and developed in collaboration with the Institute of Robotics and Information and Communication Technologies (IRTIC) at the University of Valencia, the project was carried out within the framework of Valencia European Green Capital 2024. It represents a significant step forward in integrating innovation and health into urban sustainability strategies.

The initiative has resulted in the design of an advanced model capable of measuring, quantifying and verifying large volumes of data, enabling — for the first time — a structured evaluation of the real impact that urban sustainability policies have on public health. By correlating environmental variables such as air quality, noise levels, mobility patterns and access to green spaces with health indicators, the project provides a comprehensive, evidence-based vision of what truly sustainable cities look like.

During her speech, Rosa Valenzuela, Director of the Innovation Area at Kiwa España, brought the audience back to the human dimension behind the data: “We are not just measuring silence; we are measuring the space we have reclaimed so that people can hear each other again.”

She continued: “The most advanced technology is the one that serves a smoke-free walk, a safe square and a longer life.”

Beyond receiving the main award, the project also earned a second distinction, being rated the highest among Artificial Intelligence and Data Spaces initiatives focused on sustainability, innovation and urban health. The recognition was granted within the framework of the Demonstrators and Use Cases call by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration, co-financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

“That is the essence of our work. Thanks to certification and objective data, we have moved from making assumptions to providing evidence”, concluded Valenzuela, summarising the philosophy behind the initiative.

Kiwa España would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Valencia City Council for this recognition and for its continued commitment to fostering innovation, as well as to Valencia Innovation Capital for supporting initiatives that strengthen the city’s innovation ecosystem and connect technology with societal impact.

The designation of Valencia as European Green Capital 2024 by the European Commission has provided a unique pilot environment, reinforcing the city’s position as a Mediterranean benchmark for sustainable urban policies and long-term responsibility towards future generations.

Closing her address, Rosa Valenzuela left the audience with a forward-looking reflection: “This award is the momentum to continue certifying cities that are not only visited, but truly felt. Cities that simply give us life. Cities that take care of us”.