Spanish port becomes global ‘smart city’ laboratory

SANTANDER, Spain: In Spain’s historic port of Santander, parking is no longer a headache, rubbish bins never overflow and grass is watered only when needed since this northern resort became a testing ground for “smart cities” around the world. 

Thousands of sensors have transformed the metropolis, known for the grand hotels and high-end casinos lining its beach on Spain’s northern Atlantic coast, into a high-tech laboratory.