The top smart cities using innovative technologies to boost energy efficiency and become more sustainable include Singapore, Seoul and Dubai
Digital technologies are everywhere, from roads and street lights to smart meters and grids.
Urban areas account for more than two thirds of global energy consumption according to the European Commission.
Making cities smarter is not only benefitting the lives of those living in them, but also helping to simplify energy demand and meet sustainability targets.
Energy Digital has ranked 10 of the top smart cities in the world.
- Paris, France
- Population: 2 million
- Key focus: Digital connectivity
- Major corporate partner: Schneider Electric
Paris has established itself as a top smart city by implementing advanced traffic management technologies and deploying a citywide network of sensors.
These sensors track noise, air quality and other environmental indicators.
The city’s Paris Respire (“Paris Breathes”) initiative designates certain areas as car-free zones during weekends and public holidays, promoting cleaner air and a more pleasant urban environment.
Additionally, the Greater Paris area is undergoing a shift toward sustainable transportation, with the introduction of electric buses and the development of charging infrastructure currently underway.
- Barcelona, Spain
- Population: 1.6 million
- Key focus: Digital democracy
- Major corporate partner: Cisco
Barcelona’s creative use of IoT sensors and open data projects have positioned it as a leading smart city.
The city’s intelligent lighting system adapts brightness according to pedestrian activity and its smart parking application helps drivers locate open spots, easing traffic congestion.
Cisco has played a significant part in this transformation, selecting Barcelona as the "epicentre of its smart city initiatives" and supplying the infrastructure for the growing network of connected devices.
We see Barcelona as an innovation hub for Europe,” says Xavier Massa, Cisco Spain’s Director of Public Sector Sales.
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Population: 640,000
- Key focus: Public transport
- Major corporate partner: Siemens
Copenhagen’s climate plan aims to reduce emissions by more than a million tonnes by 2025.
The city’s district heating system efficiently uses waste heat from power plants, while Siemens is upgrading the train network with advanced control technology to increase capacity and safety, with a future goal of fully automatic, driverless trains.
“We are very proud to continue and enhance our successful collaboration with Banedanmark and DSB to position the thriving city of Copenhagen as a model for modern rail infrastructure among European capitals," says Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
“By implementing our best-in-class signalling technology by 2033, trains will be capable of operating automatically and driverless. This will make the new S-bane the world’s largest automatic urban railway.”
- Helsinki, Finland
- Population: 660,000
- Key focus: Citizen-centric innovation
- Major corporate partner: Nokia
Helsinki is focussed on citizen-focused innovation and leveraging Nokia’s cutting-edge telecommunications network to boost citywide connectivity.
A prime example is the “Helsinki 3D+” initiative, which has produced a comprehensive digital twin of the city, enabling sophisticated urban planning.
Helsinki also excels in mobility solutions. Through the Whim app, both locals and tourists can subscribe for a fixed fee and access all public transportation, bikes, scooters and more via a single, integrated platform.
"In a competitive global environment, businesses and residents will be drawn to safer, greener and more data-driven cities," says Richard Cooper, Global CTO for Smart Cities and the Public Sector at Nokia.
- Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Population: 920,000
- Key focus: Energy efficiency
- Major corporate partner: Philips
Amsterdam launched its smart city initiative in 2009.
It aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and currently boasts more than 4,800 EV charging stations, including rapid chargers.
In addition to promoting EV adoption, Amsterdam has introduced smart grids and decentralised energy solutions.
Numerous projects support sustainable construction and green rooftops to reduce emissions.
Through the Smart City Experience Lab, locals can trial and review new urban innovations.
One notable project is Klimaatstraat (Climate Street), which prioritises sustainability.
Philips contributed by installing adaptive street lighting that adjusts brightness based on pedestrian activity to save energy.
- New York City, US
- Population: 8.26 million
- Key focus: Data-driven governance
- Major corporate partner: IBM
New York is tackling EV charging blackspots using 5G and IoT to support its net zero emissions plan, encouraging EV adoption and CO₂ monitoring with air quality sensors.
New York uses big data to improve services, with IBM leading projects on data analytics and AI integration.
LinkNYC kiosks provide free Wi-Fi and collect pedestrian flow data. Plans include expanding air quality sensors and deploying smart building technologies to reduce energy use.
"IBM continues to be the leader in the Smarter Cities market, helping transform cities of all sizes," said Michael J Dixon, General Manager of IBM Smarter Cities.
"Our collaborations range from massive and complex strategic projects, to highly focused initiatives using proven solutions that deliver measurable return on investment."
- London, UK
- Population: 8.85 million
- Key focus: Open data innovation
- Major corporate partner: Arup
The Mayor’s energy vision aims for London to achieve zero carbon status by 2030, focusing on energy-efficient buildings, clean transportation and renewable energy.
The London Datastore offers more than 700 datasets to encourage innovation and transparency. Future projects involve expanding smart streetlights and increasing IoT-based air quality monitoring.
The city’s smart strategy highlights open data and citizen participation, with Arup contributing significantly to infrastructure planning.
"As our world evolves, becomes more interconnected and new critical challenges emerge, digital resilience has become a need rather than a ‘nice-to-have’," says Will Cavendish, Global Digital Services Leader at Arup.
"Digital and data has become a vital element of resilient systems, whether it’s energy, transport or security (amongst many others), having the power to both support and compromise city resilience."
- Dubai, UAE
- Population: 3.3 million
- Key focus: Artificial intelligence
- Major corporate partner: Core42
Dubai is advancing its smart city ambitions by focusing on renewable energy, targeting 75% clean energy by 2050.
The city is implementing smart grids, encouraging energy-efficient construction and launching sustainable urban initiatives such as the Dubai Solar Park.
In 2016, Dubai Silicon Oasis succeeded in reducing cumulative energy consumption by 31%, exceeding the target set by Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 of 30%.
Dubai’s plan also seeks to become the “happiest city on Earth” through technological progress.
Core42 is a key player in this transformation, driving artificial intelligence solutions across fields like healthcare and transportation.
The city has already introduced driverless taxis to help minimise accidents and ease traffic congestion, with more innovations on the horizon.
Wasim Beg, Senior Director of Smart Cities at Core42, says: "Smart cities are beyond what we build; they are thriving ecosystems fuelled by technology, sustainability, and human ingenuity.”
- Seoul, South Korea
- Population: 9.41 million
- Key focus: Digital connectivity
- Major corporate partner: Samsung SDS
Samsung SDS has played a key role in advancing digital connectivity and fostering citizen participation in Seoul.
The city’s comprehensive public Wi-Fi network now extends to more than 100% of outdoor areas, guaranteeing seamless internet access throughout Seoul.
Samsung’s advanced transportation systems also leverage artificial intelligence to enhance traffic management and efficiency.
Seoul aims to broaden its application of AI across public services and to create additional platforms that enable citizens to collaborate on urban innovation.
Samsung is further supporting the city’s evolution with its latest AI-enabled apartment complexes, which feature integrated electric vehicle fire response systems and built-in earthquake-resistant technologies.
“Our goal is to provide a comfortable and safe living environment by applying state-of-the-art AI technology and safety solutions,” said Samsung C&T Vice President Kim Myung-Seok.
- Singapore
- Population: 5.9 million
- Key focus: Urban mobility
- Major corporate partner: ST Engineering
Singapore’s reputation as one of the world’s most intelligent cities is backed by its widespread adoption of smart technologies.
The Singaporean government aims to install energy-efficient lighting across all public roads and equip at least 6,000 building rooftops with solar panels.
The nation’s Smart Nation initiative highlights the deployment of smart grids, large-scale solar energy and green building practices.
ST Engineering is deeply involved in Singapore's transformation, particularly with regards to transportation.
Its Smart Mobility project is helping to shape Singapore's metro and road systems for the better.
“Mass transit systems play a pivotal role in helping cities decarbonise, and technological advancements present new opportunities for progress in this area," says Chew Men Leong, President of Urban Solutions at ST Engineering.
"Through combining leading-edge technologies with our deep engineering capabilities, our Smart Mobility solutions enable transportation agencies and operators to effectively address their evolving mobility challenges sustainably while elevating service standards."
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Jasmin Jessen
Quelle/Source: Energy Digital, 04.06.2025
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