Design and product development for Smart Cities

What If Mayors Ruled the World?

In What If Mayors Ruled the World, American political theorist Benjamin Barber paints a bold vision of governance in the 21st century: one in which mayors — not national leaders — hold the real power. Barber, who advised both Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, argues that cities, not nation-states, are best equipped to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. Pragmatic rather than ideological, rooted in local knowledge and citizen engagement, the city becomes his ideal arena for democratic renewal.

Democracy Begins on Your Street

For Barber, democracy is more than just the ritual of elections. In his earlier work Strong Democracy, he makes a passionate case for participatory politics, where citizens do more than cast votes — they think, deliberate, and shape policy through direct engagement. This isn’t democracy as performance, but democracy as practice.

Cities as Laboratories for Innovation

Barber sees cities as ground zero for global challenges — from inequality and migration to climate change and digital transformation. These issues don’t just arrive at the gates of the city; they land on its doorstep. But with their proximity to people’s lives, cities also hold the tools for real, tangible solutions. They are test beds for innovation, where policy meets pavement. In this urban laboratory, abstract policies are tested and lived. And that, Barber believes, is where the seeds of a more humane society are sown.

From Urban Vision to Digital Design

Barber’s vision dovetails strikingly with how our digital agency Pàu approaches product development. Like Barber, Pàu puts people — not technology — at the centre. Our process is built around context, user experience, and the principle of continuous improvement. At first glance, merging city governance with digital product design may seem unlikely. But the parallels are striking. Human-centred design, like good city policy, is about proximity, empathy, and adaptability. A well-designed digital service is, in essence, a public space — accessible, intuitive, responsive. In today’s cities, the heart of democratic participation might just lie in the way we shape our digital environments.

Urbanisation and the Digital Imperative

The world is urbanising at breathtaking speed. In 1930, just 29% of the global population lived in cities. By 2025, that figure will soar to 66%. This shift demands cities that are not only functional but human-focused. Digital technology plays a crucial role. So-called ​“smart cities” — where technology enhances efficiency and inclusion — offer new tools for tackling urban problems. From mobility and energy to public services and civic engagement, digital innovation has the potential to deepen democracy at the city level. But only if we treat it not as a technical fix, but as a civic project.

1. Barber, B. (2013). What If Mayors Ruled the World. Yale University Press.
2. Barber, B. (1984). Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age. University of California Press. 
3. United Nations. (2018). World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. 

Pàu stands out for its ability to translate the rigor of physical product development into the digital sphere, with a strong emphasis on urban governance. They view digital tools not merely as tech solutions, but as civic products — shaped by the real needs of cities and their inhabitants. With a blend of UX/UI design, 3D modelling, service design, and business innovation, Pàu’s holistic and hands-on methodology tackles urban challenges with fresh eyes and open minds. The aim? To make cities not only smarter, but also more inclusive and future-proof.

Finding the Sweet Spot for Local Governments

When developing digital products for local authorities, the key question isn’t just: Can it be built? It’s: Does it meet real community needs? True innovation balances three forces: citizen needs, city strategy, and technical feasibility. Drop one of those, and the entire structure falters. That’s why Pàu believes in shared responsibility. Governments and citizens must co-create from start to finish: from understanding the problem and defining needs, to crafting strategies that are actionable and meaningful.

A Guide Through the Digital Maze

Faced with an ever-expanding digital landscape, local governments often need more than just tools — they need guidance. Pàu steps in not as a loud disruptor, but as a thoughtful navigator, bringing clarity to complexity. We work with the Double Diamond design model — exploring widely, narrowing focus, then developing and testing solutions. What often becomes a graveyard of ideas elsewhere, becomes with Pàu a clear, structured path to real-world outcomes.

The Power of Clarity

Pàu’s real strength lies in alignment — helping teams find focus and turn digital potential into tangible urban progress. When people feel that everything just… makes sense, that’s when we know we’ve done our job right. Whether facilitating consensus, running co-creation workshops, or simply sparking inspiration for that crucial first step, Pàu offers more than solutions: we offer direction.

Bringing Barber’s Dream to Life

Pàu’s philosophy echoes Barber’s core belief: that cities should be the breeding ground for pragmatic, citizen-first solutions. And just as Barber championed governance rooted in proximity, Pàu builds civic participation into the design process from day one. Our approach unfolds in three steps: inspire (bring people together and generate ideas), design (co-create with all stakeholders), and realise (turn plans into concrete change). The result isn’t another dusty strategy document — but living, breathing initiatives grounded in community reality.

Smart Cities for a More Inclusive Future

With user research, concept validation and prototyping, Pàu helps reshape urban systems and services to better reflect the lived experiences of residents. In the context of smart cities, digital transformation is no longer just about tech — it’s about people. Designing a smart city, then, becomes an act of democracy: one that fosters inclusion, strengthens community, and reclaims digital innovation as a public good.