IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Naver has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company to launch a digital twin venture, advancing smart city projects and urban planning.

South Korean Naver Corporation has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company to establish a joint venture focused on digital twin platform projects in the Middle East. Digital twin technology, which creates virtual replicas of real-world environments, will be central to the collaboration, enabling advanced urban planning, real-time monitoring, disaster prediction, and smart city development.

Blockchain brings transparency, trust, and decentralized solutions to smart city challenges, making urban spaces more efficient, connected, and sustainable.

The concept of smart cities is driven by the goal of using technology to create an interconnected, intelligent urban environment. It creates a synergy between technology and our physical environment, improving quality of life and encouraging sustainable growth.

Inspired by calligraphic lines and ribbons, Ennead Architects have designed a mixed-use development creating a cohesive and dynamic urban district creating strong visual, pedestrian, and infrastructure connections with the surrounding site, district, and the city.

Named Taopu Smart City, the project is part of a new district being planned around one of Shanghai’s largest future parks and has been awarded a 2024 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

Synopsis: Gujarat-headquartered LTTS has also built experience of smart government projects in the USA, India and the Middle East with its internet of things (IoT) offerings to enhance city operations, providing security solutions, citywide surveillance, and border security systems.

Mid-sized Indian IT services company L&T Technology Services (LTTS) on Monday announced a strategic partnership with the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance (CSCA) to build smart city development projects across the state of Colorado integrating innovation and technology.

Debate around the social sustainability of urban communities is heating up. Cities are being challenged to guarantee inclusion and equitable access to essential resources and services and adjust urban design to improve safety and security.

During a panel discussion at the recent Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, the concept of making cities a home that people can appreciate was explored. According to Valentina Taddeo, marketing and communication leader at Paradox Engineering, a city becomes a home when it succeeds in making each resident feel a sense of familiarity, security and belonging.

Kazakhstan is making significant efforts to implement the principles of sustainable development in the sphere of state and public services, Kazakhstan's First Vice Minister of Digital Development Kanysh Tuleushin said at a high-level roundtable on green digital actions, Trend reports.

“All countries are now making efforts to achieve certain goals related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and striving for carbon neutrality. And, of course, Kazakhstan is not an exception. We are making significant efforts to implement the principles of sustainable development in government and public services, develop GovTech solutions, and share these technologies with other countries.

Indonesia’s ongoing digital transformation got a significant boost with a major partnership.

The Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and investment firm Granite Asia have announced a strategic partnership to make targeted investments worth up to $1.2 billion.

Such investments will have a strong focus on domestic businesses or companies with deep connections to Indonesia, either via established operations or by introducing technologies that are intended to benefit the local market in the long term.

Smart cities are here to stay. What was considered a big trend a few years ago is now an established topic and a reality for many citizens.

Today we have world rankings, thematic indexes, certifying and specialised companies, cases and, above all, the interest of the public sector and society in advancing this agenda.

The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of the subject and to understand how far we have come and where we are going. A journey through the most impressive Smart Cities initiatives on the planet and their impact on society. The starting point is a simple question:

The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) managed by the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) in Srinagar is developing a new online portal which will seek residents’ opinions related to spending of government funds.

The portal is related to municipal services and people can seek information on infrastructure development including new flyovers etc. The portal will be present in the mySrinagar app and Srinagar Smart City Limited website.

Players in the development of smart cities talk about what has been done so far and how artificial intelligence will play an even greater role in the future

Smart city development should be eco-friendly, transparent and improve people’s quality of life, experts told the “Thailand Smart City Expo 2025” seminar organised on Tuesday by the Nation Group’s PostToday and Springnews.

The developments discussed by the Chief Secretary at the meeting of the Housing & Urban Development Department are a promising step toward ensuring a sustainable and technologically advanced urban landscape for the cities of Srinagar and Jammu. The emphasis on self-sustainability for Srinagar Smart City Limited and Jammu Smart City Limited marks a forward-looking approach to urban governance that prioritises continuity and financial autonomy in public services, especially after significant investments have already been funnelled into various smart city projects. The Chief Secretary’s directive to create self-sustaining models for SSCL and JSCL highlights a broader strategy to secure long-term benefits for both cities. These Special Purpose Vehicles have made considerable progress, executing projects worth crores and generating revenue through various assets. However, the challenge remains to build a system where these SPVs are financially viable without continuous state support.

For the past five years, The Hague has been testing smart technologies in an urban environment. Some applications proved successful, others less so.

The municipality of The Hague has published a white paper outlining lessons learned from the Scheveningen Living Lab. Over the past five years, the city has tested smart technologies in an urban setting.

Today’s smart metering solutions have evolved with a wide range of connectivity options and choosing the right solution can unlock new levels of performance, scalability and cost-efficiency.

Smart metering has been a driving force in the IoT revolution for over 25 years. Utilities have long faced the challenge of collecting data from connected meters in remote, often hard-to-reach locations – underground, in pits or even submerged in water.

The guide will serve as a tool to accelerate sustainable, equitable and resilient urban planning policies and promote deliverable climate action around the globe.

C40 Cities and Community Jameel alongside UrbanShift have launched a climate action guide to help support cities in embedding climate action within their urban planning frameworks.

The Iligan City government has partnered with Mata Technologies Inc. to develop innovative, technology-driven systems aimed at enhancing local governance and public services.

Iligan Mayor Frederick Siao signed a memorandum of agreement with the tech firm on Monday for collaboration on various technology-based projects designed to improve different sectors in the city.

Srinagar’s e-bus service, launched as part of the Smart City initiative, has quickly become an essential mode of transport for many residents. While the launch of e-buses was seen as a progressive step for the city, the current fleet remains insufficient to cater to the growing commuters’ demand. With only 100 electric buses in operation, the shortage has led to overcrowding and longer waiting time for passengers, particularly during peak hours at various routes.

Although the surface transport ministry plans to add another 100 buses by January or February next year, the total fleet will still fall short of the city’s needs. To fully meet the demand, the service requires around 600 e-buses, SSCL official said.

In early November at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona—the Smart Cities equivalent of The Oscars—Shenzhen picked up the prestigious Smart City of 2024 award for its ‘Smarter City, Better Life’ initiative.

The initiative focused on transforming the Chinese city through digitalisation, advanced urban management, and sustainable development to tackle challenges like dense population, resource limitations, and environmental concerns. Shenzhen is a technology hothouse and a showcase for China’s biggest technology players, including Huawei.

Seongnam, located in Gyeonggi Province, is one of South Korea's leading cities in offering a range of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital services to its residents. According to Mayor Shin Sang-jin, this initiative is one of his key policies.

Shin introduced the city's digital features at this year's Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona, Spain.

He was one of the six panelists in one of the SCEWC's headline sessions, "Shaping the Digital Future Ethically," moderated by global urban development nonprofit organization Leading Cities' board member Jennifer James, on the event's first day, Tuesday (local time). Some 150 industry insiders, including Helpful Places founder Jacqueline Lu and Fiware Foundation chief operating officer Clara Pezuela, attended the session.

Around the world, cities are becoming “smarter” by using advanced technologies to create more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable communities. North Carolina is also embracing this trend by bringing smart technology to its urban areas. But what does a “smart city” really mean, and how will these technologies shape North Carolina’s future? Let’s look at how smart city projects are transforming the state.

What is a Smart City?

A smart city uses technology and data to improve life for the people who live there. It’s like giving the city a “brain” that connects and monitors things like traffic, energy, and waste. For example, smart traffic lights can adjust based on real-time conditions to help reduce traffic jams. Buildings might save energy through sensors that turn off lights in empty rooms, and waste systems can even track trash levels to schedule pick-ups only when needed.

Partnership with the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority will combine InfraX’s infrastructure expertise with Tuya’s smart home technologies.

Tuya Smart, a global cloud platform service provider, has announced a strategic partnership with InfraX, a subsidiary of Digital Dewa, to help accelerate smart city development in the UAE at Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona.

StreetCav is a plug-and-play driverless shuttle that has been developed by a consortium of private and public sector organisations and will roll out in December.

Milton Keynes is set to lead a self-driving bus trial using Ohmio Lift vehicles to transport residents across the city next month.

StreetCav is a plug-and-play driverless shuttle that has been developed by a consortium of private and public sector organisations, supported by funding from Zenzic’s Cam Supply Chain UK programme. Zenzic was established by government and industry to champion the UK Connected and Automated Mobility (Cam) ecosystem.

Malaysia's Smart City Framework, which aims to bring local cities up to global smart city standards, is generating impactful results, as evidenced by Kuala Lumpur's impressive leap of 16 spots in the latest Institute for Management Development (IMD) Smart City Index.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Kuala Lumpur now ranks as the 73rd smartest city globally, a testament to Malaysia's growing urban innovation.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo engaged with representatives from the European Union (EU) to share initiatives concerning Malaysia’s journey to develop digital and smart cities that enhance people’s lives.

During the C-level Roundtable Breakfast at the Smart City World Expo Congress here today, the minister highlighted that the gathering strengthened the partnership between Malaysia and the EU on smart city development.

As urban populations continue to grow, cities around the world face increasing challenges in managing resources, infrastructure, and services. Smart city initiatives leverage advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, and smart infrastructure to address these challenges and enhance urban living. In this article, we explore how these technologies are driving the development of smart cities, improving sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life for residents.

Ghana has officially entered the 5G era, with the government launching next-generation telecommunications infrastructure that promises to revolutionise digital connectivity across the nation, through Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), the 5G wholesale infrastructure provider.

The rollout by NGIC is expected to initially deploy 5G services in major urban centers including Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, with a plan for a nationwide expansion targeting complete coverage by 2026.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications and the Francophone University Agency (AUF) organised an international conference on November 4 discussing ways to branch out high-quality labour force for the southern economic hub’s development of smart urban areas.

At the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan highlighted the socio-economic achievements that the city has carved out over the recent past as well as its goal to transform itself into a modern and smart metropolis by 2030, saying the city is envisaged to become a dynamic hub of finance, commerce, culture, education, and science-technology with deep international integration.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung leads delegation to southern city

A group of Taiwan-based diplomats from 23 nations visited the Taiwan AI Labs in Kaohsiung’s Asia Bay 5G AIoT Innovation Park on Saturday (Nov. 2).

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) led the 38-member delegation to meet with Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) to understand the city’s efforts in smart city development, according to the Kaohsiung city government. Participating countries included several of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, Japan, Poland, and New Zealand.

Over the past few years, Hanoi has actively implemented digital transformation solutions with the aim of becoming a smart city. This is an ambitious project with three key objectives.

The first objective is to improve the quality of life by developing a smart infrastructure system. This is a crucial step to alleviate traffic congestion, a persistent issue in Hanoi for many years. By applying technological solutions such as traffic sensors and intelligent traffic management systems, the city can more efficiently manage vehicle flow, thereby reducing travel times and minimising the negative environmental impacts.

Here's how Indonesia could build a smart city model that embodies this potential 'rags to riches' journey:

Indonesia is at a turning point—a story of struggle poised to become one of triumph. Developing an ideal smart city requires striking a balance between the rapid economic growth seen in China and the democratic, participatory values of Western countries. This vision aligns with President Prabowo’s goal for Indonesia to become a high-income country by 2045. According to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, this ambitious target will require economic growth of 6-8% annually. To reach this goal, Indonesia’s smart cities must be technologically advanced, inclusive, and democratic to uplift all its citizens.

The Smart City Kochi project, which was launched with the announcement of bringing global investments to Kerala, has been operating without a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a year now. The CEO resigned around six months ago.

The Smart City IT township is located adjacent to the Kakkanad Infopark. The project commenced with the promise of creating 90,000 job opportunities and constructing buildings over an area of 8.8 million square feet. The Kerala government holds a 16 percent stake, while Dubai Holding owns 84 percent. The Chief Minister serves as the chairman of the director board.

The Beecham Research declared LoRaWAN the premier low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology for smart cities. Titled Leveraging LoRaWAN for Smart Cities: Cost-Effective, Scalable, Sustainable Connectivity, the report emphasises LoRaWAN’s vital role in modern urban environments, showcasing its ability to provide cost-effective and efficient connectivity for various smart applications.

The LoRa Alliance, a global consortium promoting the open LoRaWAN standard, will highlight these findings at the Smart Cities Expo World Congress(SCEWC). Member companies, including Browan Communications, iotech, Miromico, and Tata Communications, will demonstrate how LoRaWAN is revolutionising urban infrastructure. ZENNER will join Tata Communications and the Alliance on the panel titled “IoT Connectivity & Data Insights to Enhance Urban Life.”

Monday night October 28 the Culver City Council voted 3-to approve Advertising kiosks on city rights-of-way. Vice Mayor Dan O'Brien, Councilmen Albert Vera, Göran Eriksson on voted in favor of the plan. Councilman Freddy Puza vote against the proposal while Mayor Yasmine Imani McMorrin abstained.

IKE Smart City is the nationwide leader in smart city kiosks offering a wide variety of public benefits. Since launching in 2015, we have successfully deployed IKE networks in 20 cities, making IKE the most trusted partner for cities across the country when it comes to digital interactive kiosk technology. IKE, the "Interactive Kiosk Experience," is a seamless, best-in-class hardware and software communication system that connects cities with people through interactive, vivid touchscreens, an ever-expanding suite of applications, and a dynamically engaging interface.

Cities are complex social systems and, like magnets, they attract and repel. For some citizens the notion of a city conjures up images of bright lights, sophistication, excitement and opportunities. For others, a city is a dystopian, heartless and dangerous place where social ills prevail and threats to life and limb are pervasive. No matter the prevailing views towards cities, for millions of Africans, cities are what we call home. The challenge is, how to make cities more liveable; where they shelter us, nurture us, support us, and even become spaces where dreams are made.

African cities are expanding at a rapid rate. Cairo, Addis Ababa, Kigali and Cape Town are but a few of the cities on the continent that have shown exponential growth spatially, economically and demographically. These are primarily due to rural to urban population shifts, intercity-migration and high birth rates.

Traditional city planning methods require significant technical expertise and manual work. A Virginia Tech researcher is working to change that.

New research shows the potential of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, for assessing the human-made environment using street-view images.

By comparing LLM performance with traditional city planning deep learning methods, the study from the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech found that LLM-based performance is similar with established approaches. Unlike traditional methods that require technical expertise or manual work, the researchers found LLMs offer a more accessible tool for users, making it easier for policy and planning stakeholders to use these models in small to medium sized cities for managing smart urban infrastructure.

The minister extended an invitation to Nadella to visit Andhra Pradesh in the coming days and reminded that the Microsoft CEO’s father had served the state as an IAS officer in various positions

Andhra Pradesh minister for IT and electronics Nara Lokesh on Tuesday requested Microsoft chief executive officer Satya Nadella to extend the IT giant’s cooperation to the state government in digital governance and smart city programmes.

“The true potential of smart cities lies in how seamlessly technology integrates into the urban fabric. It creates efficient and profoundly human environments,” shares Changqing Lin, a smart city developer and chairman of Fujian Evergreen Property Management.

Lin’s words encapsulate a vision that effectively redefines the word “city.” As a leading figure in the industry of smart city development, Lin has pioneered the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in ways that are upgrading urban environments.

In an increasingly digital world – securing online transactions and interactions has become a top priority. Traditional methods like passwords and PINs are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Enter biometric authentication, a revolutionary approach that leverages unique human traits such as fingerprints, facial structure, and voice patterns to verify identities. This technology is becoming the preferred method for safeguarding personal information, as it offers a higher level of security and convenience compared to conventional methods.

In fact, the digital landscape, including sectors like online gaming and banking, is already embracing this shift. The integration of secure authentication methods not only increases trust but also reduces the risk of fraudulent activities.

The project will map over 1000 stops and make use of the Crowdsorsa mobile game app, which has been employed in Helsinki to map crosswalks and traffic lights.

Tallinn is using a network of volunteers to map public transport stop accessibility. The volunteers will assist in mapping and photographing over a thousand public transport stops in the Estonian capital.

The project makes use of the Crowdsorsa mobile game app, which has been employed in Helsinki to map crosswalks and traffic lights.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way cities handle traffic management. As urban populations grow and the number of vehicles increases, older traffic systems are struggling to keep up. AI has emerged as a practical option to help ease traffic, boost safety, and create smoother transportation in smart cities. The Role of AI in Managing Traffic

AI assists cities in monitoring traffic, predicting congestion, and reacting to changes in real-time. Smart city setups generally include tools like sensors, cameras, and processing units that provide large sets of data for AI to analyze. With this information, AI spots patterns and suggests ways to keep traffic flowing more smoothly.

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) will lead the Center of Excellence (CoE) that will focus on addressing the challenges concerning sustainable cities, officials said. It will be a part of the Union ministry of education’s “Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India” initiative.

To be led by Prof Sachchida Nand Tripathi, the dean of School of Sustainability at IIT Kanpur, the CoE will focus on using artificial intelligence (AI) to address the challenges related to sustainable cities. Its work will include tackling issues like energy forecasting, air quality, urban flooding, and developing digital twins for transportation and city management, he added.

Espoo has been named a finalist for the prestigious World Smart City Awards, competing alongside Shenzhen, China, and Santiago de Cali, Colombia, in the main category. This recognition highlights Espoo’s Impact Management Program, which uses data-driven strategies to enhance urban sustainability and efficiency. The winner will be announced at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona on November 6, 2024.

The World Smart City Awards spotlight innovative strategies to make cities more livable, sustainable, and economically viable. Espoo’s data-centric approach to impact management, developed in collaboration with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has helped the city create a “roadmap” for actionable improvements, according to Mayor Jukka Mäkelä.

Aetina, a Taiwanese provider of AI solutions, will showcase its edge AI solutions at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona from November 5-7, 2024.

The company will highlight its DeviceEdge series, featuring the Aetina In-Vehicle System and SuperEdge AI Inference system, designed for smart city and transportation applications.

Digitalization of public administration, implementation of smart city solutions, how to access European funds and training needs in local public administration were debated in Târgu Mureş, during the first Summit of Mayors in Romania.

George Turcu, managing partner of the Mayors Guide, stated: "The purpose of the event is clear, to attract and bring experts from all fields to the mayors. We at the Mayors Guide believe that the mayors in our country have a great lack of experts, especially small mayors. They do not have experts to rely on when they want to do projects".

Wisdom Kwati Smart City, a subsidiary of Wisdom Kwati Group, has unveiled its ambitious plans for the development of a mega city in Karshi, Abuja, aimed at generating over 6 million jobs within the next decade.

The project, which is still in its first phase and expected to be completed in 10 years, has the potential to reshape the real estate landscape in Abuja, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly urban environment tailored to the Nigerian middle class.

Smart cities serve as real-world testbeds and implementation grounds for many of the key technologies and principles driving the next phase of the industrial revolution - Industry 5.0. This new era envisions a shift away from the current automation-centric Industry 4.0 model towards human-machine symbiosis, where intelligent systems collaborate seamlessly with humans. Today, OPEN-TEC, Tech Knowledge Sharing Platform, powered by TCC TECHNOLOGY GROUP, will delve into the important role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping smart cities.

During GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai, at a roundtable themed Build City Intelligent Twins to Accelerate City Digital Transformation, Huawei invited government experts and partners from China, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa to discuss hot topics relating to smart city and government digitalization.

Smart city construction is rapidly advancing, and the growing intricacy of urban management necessitates fresh architectures and technologies. At the Huawei Cloud UAE Summit, Hank Chen, R&D President of Government Public Services Digitalization BU, Huawei, introduced the innovative" City Intelligent Twins Architecture " as Huawei's latest achievement in core technologies and applications for smart cities. City awareness helps map physical world into digital world. City networks are the meridians, defining a new network framework for all services. City cloud acts as the brain.

Sound detections trigger immediate alerts, enabling faster response times and helping emergency services and government agencies safeguard public spaces. Sound event detection solution specialist Jalud Embedded is expanding into the UK market to offer security technologies designed to enhance public safety in smart cities, critical infrastructure and high-risk environments.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority in partnership with Core42, a G42 company specializing in sovereign cloud, AI infrastructure, and digital services has launched an advanced digital portal that enables Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, building owners and maintenance companies to register, manage, and update fire and life safety standards in real-time. Launched as part of the Hassantuk program and developed by Core42, the advanced solution significantly enhances protection for residents of buildings across Abu Dhabi reducing property damage and improving emergency response time. The new solution also boosts overall operational efficiency for maintenance companies and building owners to monitor their work, ensuring higher safety standards throughout the Emirate.

As the world rapidly advances into a new era of technology and urban development, Dubai is poised to transform into a futuristic metropolis by 2040. With its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and smart city solutions, the city is laying the groundwork for a remarkable urban landscape that promises to redefine transportation, living, and leisure. Here’s a glimpse into what Dubai may look like in 2040, focusing on the emergence of flying taxis and gigantic metro systems.

The Rise of Flying Taxis

Dubai has long been at the forefront of aviation and transportation innovations. By 2040, flying taxis, also known as eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles, are expected to be a common sight in the skies above the city. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has been actively working with various companies to test and deploy these aerial vehicles, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and enhance mobility.

Practically omnipresent, thanks to human activity, radio frequency is the new area of focus for energy harvesting technology

Earlier this year, a company called Betavolt made news by announcing a nuclear battery that can go on for 50 years before needing a recharge. Technology is marching further ahead. In the future, at least for small electronic devices, you wouldn’t ever need to charge the batteries — they would self-charge from (man-made) energy in the atmosphere.

It is impossible to argue with the statement that London is one of the most forward thinking and dynamic cities in the world. It is a destination that has long been a global leader in the embracing and development of cutting edge technology with the aim of improving urban living, with added emphasis on areas such as efficiency, connectivity and sustainability very much on the English capital’s smart city agenda.

One of the most significant elements in this evolving transformation is the integration of Kitcast digital signage software across the landscape. Screens and displays are so much more than just a platform for advertising, they can in fact play a critical role in reshaping an urban society.

The government is implementing several projects to resolve the issue.

Minister for Local Self-Government M B Rajesh inaugurated several projects under the Cochin Smart City Mission Ltd (CSML) worth Rs 130 crore, including 15 refuse compactors for secondary collection and transportation of solid waste, amphibian weed harvester/cutting machine, mobile cold emulsion spray injection pothole patching machine, renovated parks and open spaces in West Kochi, including Mattancherry Park, redevelopment works of Vyttila Mobility Hub Terminal and repair and lighting works for the terminal, and open space development for Vyttila Mobility Hub.

Not so long ago, mention travelling to India and you’d expect to be fighting through crowds in a chaotic country with long lines, frequent traffic jams and a public transportation system only adventurous travellers would be game to tackle. That’s no longer the case as India is fast progressing its infrastructure with the rollout of its Smart Cities project. Imagine a city where everything is connected, where you use your smartphone to pay for public transportation, find a parking spot or even order food from wherever you are, access Wi-Fi from anywhere in the city, and do much more. According to the Smart Cities project, hundreds of cities in India will offer these.

When visiting cities in China, don’t be surprised if your taxi has no driver. Not so long ago, if you imagined a city where traffic is managed by artificial intelligence, with autonomous vehicles driving the streets and pedestrians accessing public infrastructure using a handheld device, all this would have seemed like a futuristic science-fiction scene in a movie. However, in China, these ground-breaking ideas are close to becoming a reality due to China’s smart city and infrastructure initiatives.

The nation’s smart city policy initiatives back in 2011 have allowed it to adopt new and upcoming technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and 5G into urban infrastructure and apply these to various aspects of urban life. Most visitors are surprised at China’s progress in making cities smart. China has started implementing smart city solutions in over 900 smart city projects in various provinces.

Digital infrastructure to connect and integrate with a range of smart city services and applications, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of citywide operations and management

In what is said to mark a significant step in its transformation into a fully integrated conurbation that takes advantage of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies, Lusail City in Qatar has announced the creation of a smart city powered by AI, machine learning and data analytics.

As smart cities evolve from concept to reality, they are redefining how we think about urban development, particularly within the real estate and construction sectors. These urban areas envision a future where emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data are seamlessly integrated with urban living to improve residents' quality of life, boost sustainability and connectivity, and drive economic growth. Major projects such as The Line in Saudi Arabia, Toyota’s Woven City in Japan, and Net City in China, are part of a movement set to redefine how buildings are designed, managed, and valued. Looking ahead, the real estate and construction sectors face both significant opportunities and challenges in this rapidly changing landscape.

On October 14, Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree to construct the eco-city “Asman” near the village of Toru-Aigyr on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country’s main region for tourism and recreation.

Spanning 4,000 hectares, some 200km southeast of the capital Bishkek and dubbed a “smart city”, Asman aims to become the country’s new economic and tourist hub and home to modern business, recreational and sports facilities, hi-tech parks, and financial institutions. It will also provide homes for around 500,000 residents. From a bird’s eye view, Asman (the Kyrgyz word for “sky”) will resemble a komuz, a traditional Kyrgyz string musical instrument and one of Kyrgyzstan’s national symbols.

ST Engineering Urban Solution will deploy smart city solutions and applications for Lusail’s city-wide operations and management.

ST Engineering’s Urban Solutions business has secured a $60m contract to design, build, and operate a smart city platform with city-wide network connectivity for Lusail, Qatar.

Strategic twin cities cooperation between the Federal Territories, particularly Putrajaya and Shanghai, China, will allow Malaysia to learn more about smart city management, said Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) said the initiative would also help the country adopt innovation-based technological solutions and remain at the forefront of adopting modern approaches.

Praise has been given to work carried out to extend access to public WiFi across Sunderland and the early success of a new dedicated city-wide app.

Sunderland City Council bosses stressed they have been working “very hard” and made some “great progress” in terms of providing online network connections over the last five years.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said his government would take all possible steps to remodel Cuttack into a smart city.

Speaking to media persons after visiting the puja pandals in the city on the occasion of Navami (ninth day) of Dussehra, the chief minister said, “Cuttack is widely known for grand celebration of Dussehra and massive arrangements for community puja of Goddess Durga. On the invitation of different committees, I came to have darshan of Devi at the pandals. I went around the city and visited about 40 puja pandals. I also interacted with the members of the puja committees.”

With more than two decades of industry expertise, Iveda sets the industry standard for smart city development in the Philippines and beyond

Iveda® (NASDAQ: IVDA), the global leader in cloud-based AI technology, today reports progressive partnerships with major cities across the Philippines and broader Asia, assisting city officials in establishing specifications and standards for Smart City deployments. Iveda Philippines is spearheading efforts to provide direction and industry benchmarks that will enable cities across the region to efficiently implement cutting-edge smart technologies, including IvedaAI, Utilus Smart Pole, IvedaEMS, and Cerbero, which will enhance public safety, operational efficiency, and quality of life for all.

Tadoom will drive creation of advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS), high-precision 3D mapping and immersive smart city initiatives

Tadoom, Oman's premier IoT service provider renowned for its capability to deliver IoT and smart city solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to develop a cutting-edge smart city platform and innovative use cases for the Sultan Haitham City.

Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation has asked Hanoi authorities to help with the progress of its $4.2 billion North Hanoi Smart City project in Dong Anh district.

President and CEO of Sumitomo Corporation Shingo Ueno made the request at a Wednesday meeting with Hanoi Chairman Tran Sy Thanh.

Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSCDCL) has developed 3 new Digital E-Libraries for the benefit of the students. These new modern, digital E-Libraries will be transforming the new ways for the students seeking knowledge from all over the world.

Nagpur Smart City CEO Mrs Saumya Sharma Chandak has informed that these Digital E-Libraries are at Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Digital E-Library, Laxmi Nagar, Late Kundanlal Gupta Digital E-Library, Immamwada and RAshtramata Kasturba Digital E-Library, Gandhi Square, Sadar. Under this ambitious project Nagpur Smart City has supplied, installed & commissioned ICT based components & providing 3 years of operation and maintenance for 3 existing Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Libraries.

Iberdrola & Bilbao City Council are transforming an old industrial area into a net zero emissions smart city testing ground for renewable energy solutions

In the heart of Bilbao, Spain, an ambitious urban regeneration project is taking shape. Zorrotzaurre, a 2.5km artificial peninsula created in the 1950s and 60s, is being transformed from a post-industrial wasteland into a cutting-edge smart city district.

In 2023, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported a 16.8% rise in digital revenues to AED3.705 billion. Key advancements include upgraded smart apps, AI-powered services, and the launch of 63 new services. The authority's initiatives are aligning with Dubai's vision for a seamless, tech-driven society.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has reported substantial growth in its digital transformation efforts in 2023, with digital revenues surging by 16.8% to reach AED3.705 billion. The overall digital transactions recorded reached 821 million, showing a slight 1% uptick, while smart app transactions saw a 29% increase.

Connected Arima, a project to transform the borough of Arima using technology into the country’s first smart city is an eminently good idea.

It’s a sensible approach to creating a locally relevant smart city. Pick one location with a mix of local features and challenges, deploy technology to meet citizen needs and learn from the experience before moving on to other city centres.

On the long path to creating a smart city, the journey begins with its core: the buildings. Intelligent buildings are the foundation upon which smart cities are built, serving as the individual units that, when interconnected, transform the urban landscape into a hub of efficiency, sustainability, and seamless functionality.

Data is the lifeblood pulsing through intelligent buildings and, by extension, smart cities. Equipped with sensors, intelligent buildings continuously gather information about energy use, occupancy patterns, and environmental conditions. This data is analyzed and utilized to enhance building operations, reduce waste, and optimize resources. More importantly, this data feeds into broader city systems, empowering decision-makers with real-time insights to make informed, city-wide adjustments that benefit everyone.

Building a smart city with a smart payment system playing a key role has helped Hanoi gradually transform and make breakthroughs in the process of development, said Ha Minh Hai, Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee.

During a conference last week, Hai said that the implementation of cashless payment solutions in public services, transportation and social security, along with electronic invoices and smart payment streets, has led the city to achieve important initial results in developing digital urban areas.

Throughout history, it has become clear that the key to long-lasting and sustainable projects is to lay solid foundations. Our society is headed towards a more urban future in which the density of metropolises will be ever greater. That is why this more urban tomorrow requires modern urban planning capable of building innovative, sustainable and flexible structures. Because the only way to make our society live better is to build better.

To achieve this goal, we must adopt integrated approaches that take advantage of emerging technologies and sustainable practices. Here, the positive impact that technological tools such as BIM or Construction Management Software are already having on the development of construction activity is undeniable. BIM is the most widespread and widely used technology, since it makes it possible to design and envision the work in a virtual environment before building it in the real world, thereby avoiding hypothetical errors in the various stages of construction.

In the competition, there will be several themes on which participants can give their ideas.

Indore Smart City Development Limited (ISCDL) is calling on innovators, architects, planners, designers, engineers and creative enthusiasts and other such people to shape the future of the city through a design competition. A total of around 22 entries have been received for this competition.

A committee will do final screening on October 4. Officials said that it is expected to create innovative, data-driven solutions that should improve the quality of life for residents of the city especially vulnerable population (such as elderly people and people with disabilities).

As Muscat evolves into a city of the future, Cundall’s role in the Greater Muscat Structure Plan is key

Oman’s capital city is on the cusp of a transformative evolution with the launch of the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP). The plan, a collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and a diverse team of international experts, aims to shape the future growth of Muscat through forward-thinking urban development strategies.

Central to this ambitious project is Cundall, a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy known for its innovative approaches to sustainability, infrastructure, and urban resilience.

The Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure has unveiled a smart city initiative aimed at transforming 275 towns across Ethiopia into smart cities by 2024/2025. The plan seeks to modernize urban services, improve living standards, and drive the country's urban development forward.

State Minister Fenta Dejen revealed that the initiative will begin with 31 cities in 2023/2024, including the capital, Addis Ababa. This initial phase will serve as a model for the larger goal of transforming 2,500 towns into smart cities by 2026. Key elements of the plan include modernizing office services, providing fast and accessible services, and implementing e-services.

The Al Madinah Region Development Authority offers a way forward for an ancient city, as human-centricity takes center stage.

Al Madinah – a city steeped in rich religious, cultural and historical significance, is embarking on a transformative journey, one that blends its illustrious past with the latest innovations in technology. This has been achieved by ensuring the essence of the city remains intact. This involves many different facets, but central is the humanization of the city.

The organization responsible for this transformative work is the Al Madinah Region Development Authority. The authority has devised a smart city plan that focuses on key areas such as wellbeing, tourism, environment and mobility, aiming to create a city that caters to both the spiritual and practical needs of its population. The plan is testament to how technology can be used to enhance the human experience, ensuring the city’s growth is in sync with the needs and aspirations of its people.