IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Amid persistent criticism over delays and cost escalations in Smart City projects in Jammu and Srinagar, the Centre today informed Parliament that 98 per cent of the projects taken up under the Smart Cities Mission in Jammu and Kashmir have been completed, while ruling out any inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities or project mismanagement.

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Replying to an Unstarred Question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said that 288 projects worth Rs 6,603 crore were sanctioned under the Smart Cities Mission for Jammu and Srinagar. Of these, 282 projects worth rs 6,472 crore have been completed as of March 31, 2026, leaving only six projects under implementation.

Indore, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Varanasi, Surat emerge as top performers, while Faridabad, Greater Warangal, Karnal, Mangaluru and Ludhiana continue to lag

Nearly 11 years after the launch of the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Centre’s flagship urban renewal programme has reached the final stage of implementation, with 97 per cent of all sanctioned projects completed and almost the entire Central allocation claimed and utilised by states and Union Territories (UTs). While the overall numbers suggest the Mission has largely delivered on its objectives, city-wise data reveal significant differences in performance.

India's digital transformation focuses on improving citizen services beyond basic digitization. AI, cloud, and data intelligence are key to building intelligent public infrastructure. Data quality and breaking departmental silos are critical for successful AI adoption. Citizen-centric platforms simplify interactions and ensure inclusivity for all users. Effective execution and public-private collaboration drive tangible improvements in governance.

India’s digital transformation has moved past the question of whether government services should be digital. That argument is over. The harder question, the one I spend my working life inside, is why so many digitised services still feel broken to the citizen using them, and what it actually takes to fix that. Digital India laid the foundation. The next frontier is intelligent, connected, citizen-centric digital public infrastructure powered by artificial intelligence, cloud, data intelligence and automation. But I want to be direct about something up front: the constraint on AI in Indian governance is almost never the model. It is the data underneath it and the departmental walls around it.

India is witnessing a new era of urban development, and Dholera Greenfield Smart City is leading this transformation. Located in Gujarat, Dholera is India’s first and largest Greenfield Smart City being developed under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). With world-class infrastructure, government-backed planning, excellent connectivity, and significant industrial investments, Dholera has become one of the most promising real estate investment destinations in the country.

Whether you’re a first-time investor, an experienced real estate buyer, or someone looking for long-term wealth creation, Dholera offers tremendous opportunities for residential and commercial property investments.

The Son La Provincial People's Committee has built a shared digital data warehouse to promote digital transformation.

Son La Provincial People's Committee has just issued a List of master data, original data, creating a foundation for building a unified data system, serving digital transformation and improving the efficiency of state management.

The goal of building data is to standardize, connect and share data between agencies, limiting duplication in information collection and management.

The Last Word: Urban intelligence gives us the capacity to redesign daily life before a changing, warming climate makes cities unliveable.

On July 23, weather stations across Alicante province, where I had a chance to spend a couple of months this spring, recorded dew points close to 30°C. The town of Crevillent reached 29.8°C and Callosa d’en Sarrià, 29.6°C. Singapore’s July average typically sits around 24–25°C. For a Mediterranean region, the comparison is startling.

As artificial intelligence (AI) moves rapidly from the digital realm into everyday life, Malaysian property developers are beginning to rethink how homes should be designed for a future where AI and robotics become integral to daily living.

Leading that shift is AI Living @ i-City, which is positioning itself at the forefront of a new generation of AI-ready residential developments designed to accommodate evolving intelligent technologies, as demand grows for smarter, more connected living environments.

AIS and Bangkok Land are rolling out 5G-Advanced, WiFi 7, cloud and AI across 4,000 rai of Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi.

Announced under the “Muang Thong NEXT: The Smart & Connected City” concept, the partnership will combine mobile and fixed networks with cloud, data and artificial intelligence systems.

Muang Thong Thani has evolved over more than four decades into a centre for residential communities, businesses, education, retail, entertainment and international events. AIS expects the new infrastructure to be installed within 12 months.

A smart city will leverage digital technologies to enhance governance, public administration, and service delivery, making them faster, more convenient, more transparent, and more secure for residents.

On July 30, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office announced that Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong had signed Decision No. 4714/QD-UBND approving the city's Smart City Development Plan for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision to 2045.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif orders faster rollout of Pakistan’s National Digital Vision, aiming for one digital identity to access services like healthcare, banking and transfers, starting with priority sectors.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate the implementation of Pakistan's national digital transformation agenda, outlining a vision under which citizens will eventually be able to access a broad range of government and public services through a single digital identity.

Almaty has secured 38th place in the inaugural Intelligent Cities Index 2026 compiled by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Qazinform News Agency reports. Kazakhstan’s largest city received an overall score of 62 out of 100, placing ahead of Jakarta, Rome, Milan, Melbourne, Delhi and São Paulo. The index assesses how effectively cities use digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve public services, residents’ quality of life and economic opportunities.

Traffic congestion, endless construction, flooded streets and power outages. For city leaders and residents alike, these disruptions are simply part of daily urban life. But an emerging tool, known as the urban digital twin, could help cities anticipate problems before they occur by allowing planners to simulate responses, stress-test infrastructure, and evaluate decisions before implementing them in the real world.

What Is an Urban Digital Twin?

An urban digital twin is a dynamic, data-driven virtual model of a real city. It uses AI analytics and combines 3D modeling with real-time data and information from sources such as IoT sensors, traffic cameras, satellite feeds, infrastructure databases, utility networks, and environmental data including weather systems and heat maps to create a continuously updated digital representation of the urban environment that mirrors infrastructure, movement and systems in real time. In other words, it is a living digital replica of a city.

Doha has been recognised as one of the world’s intelligent cities in Boston Consulting Group’s inaugural Intelligent Cities Index 2026, placing it in the Emerging Maturity category among 61 major urban centres across 39 countries.

The index, released recently, evaluates how cities deploy artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve resident outcomes, economic opportunities and urban services. It assesses performance across five domains: outcomes, strategy, adoption, ways of working and enablers. Cities are grouped into leading, accelerating, emerging or developing levels of maturity.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DEC40 (Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance), the ministry said.

The agreement is expected to strengthen Kazakhstan's integration into the global Smart City ecosystem and expand cooperation with leading international technology companies.

DEC40 is an international organization that brings together cities, technology companies, research institutions and global partners to promote advanced digital solutions, exchange best practices and implement joint Smart City initiatives.

Smart cities are urban areas that use connected technology, AI, and real-time data to improve city services, infrastructure, and the quality of life.

They bring together Internet of Things (IoT) devices, data analytics for the government, digital platforms, and other types of technology to modernize how cities operate, from transportation to emergency response.

This guide covers what a smart city is, its core characteristics, and how the right technology platform enables smart city data management.

The expansion of connected technologies in Gainesville includes automated license plate readers (Flock Safety Inc), smart benches, Gun Shot Detectors, Big Belly refuse bins, and AMI utility meters, prompting discussion about transparency and privacy as the “Smart City” infrastructure grows.

• Gainesville’s network of connected public technologies continues to expand – and you’re likely unaware.
• This release highlights concerns related to privacy, transparency, and lack of comprehensive data governance.
• Documented cases from around the country illustrate misuse, security vulnerabilities, and wrongful investigations involving connected surveillance technologies.
• Residents are encouraged to engage with local officials and participate in public discussions.

Leading municipalities are increasingly replacing fragmented service channels with a single point of engagement for citizens.

Through integrated citizen portals, residents can access municipal accounts, view statements, make payments, submit service requests, track applications, receive notifications and interact with the municipality from a single platform.

The value extends beyond convenience. When citizens can resolve issues digitally without visiting municipal offices, municipalities benefit from reduced operational costs, improved service accessibility and higher levels of citizen satisfaction.

The smart city may set a new benchmark for disciplined planning and sustainable urban development.

Urban civilisation is measured less by imposing buildings than by the quality of life a city sustains. Cities prosper when growth, technology and investment are balanced with sound planning, environmental responsibility and social inclusion. New Enugu Smart City therefore deserves national attention as an opportunity to establish a better model of urban development in Nigeria.

Over the past five decades, Nigeria has produced very few genuinely planned cities. Abuja remains the country’s foremost example of a city conceived and built largely from the ground up, primarily to decongest Lagos and provide a purpose-built Federal Capital. Its original master plan was one of Africa’s most ambitious urban planning exercises, carefully integrating residential, commercial, institutional and recreational districts with supporting infrastructure.

Government has directed local authorities to ensure that the Smart Cities agenda remains firmly focused on improving the lives of citizens, warning that technology should never become an end in itself but a tool for solving everyday challenges faced by communities.

Speaking during a recent engagement in Victoria Falls, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Albert Mavunga said the success of smart initiatives would be measured by their impact on ordinary people, particularly those in underserved communities, rather than the sophistication of the technology deployed.

Key Takeaway

• Senior officials from across India convened in Maharashtra to explore the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area as a model for smart city development.
• The two-day event, organized by NICDC and MITL, aimed to share successful practices for replicating industrial corridor projects nationwide.
• AURIC is highlighted as a leading example of a greenfield industrial smart city under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
• NICDC's CEO emphasized the importance of modern infrastructure and digital governance in creating competitive manufacturing hubs.

The first day included presentations on AURIC's development strategy, demonstrations of digital planning and monitoring systems, and site visits to operational industries and major infrastructure facilities.

A digital twin is a live, virtual copy of a real city, fed by sensor data. Smart cities use it to test changes in simulation before trying them in real life. Think new traffic patterns, flood defenses or emergency plans.

Picture a city engineer watching tomorrow’s rush hour before a single car hits the road. They reroute traffic around a jam that hasn’t happened yet, or watch a storm push water across streets that are, for now, perfectly dry. That isn’t science fiction. It’s the everyday promise of a fast-growing branch of smart city technology called the digital twin.

Summary

• Pakistan has taken a major step towards becoming a regional digital technology hub with the inauguration of Sky47 Karakoram-01, the country’s largest AI-ready data centre and cloud platform, at Capital Smart City near Islamabad.
• Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Sky47 as a landmark project that would help shape Pakistan’s future and strengthen the country’s digital capabilities.
• Supporters of the initiative describe it as a major breakthrough achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the support of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and an important step towards positioning Pakistan as a regional hub for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and next-generation digital technologies.

Pakistan has taken a major step towards becoming a regional digital technology hub with the inauguration of Sky47 Karakoram-01, the country’s largest AI-ready data centre and cloud platform, at Capital Smart City near Islamabad.

The Government of India on Thursday said that 157 out of 161 projects (98 per cent) under the Srinagar Smart City Mission have been completed as of March 31, 2026, with works worth Rs 3,530 crore executed out of the total sanctioned cost of Rs 3,633 crore.

Replying to an unstarred question by MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, as reported by KNO, said the Smart City Proposals (SCPs) are planned at the local level after consultations with citizens and other stakeholders and are approved by the State High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC).

The decision by the Lagos State Government to abolish manual processing of building approvals and fully transition to the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS) is a bold and commendable reform. But it should be matched with adequate political will, the provision of digital infrastructure, and the proper reorientation of officials and other stakeholders to prevent frustration and failure.

At a time when Lagos continues to expand rapidly as Africa’s commercial nerve centre, modernising the state’s planning approval process is both necessary and inevitable. A state aspiring to become a globally competitive smart city cannot continue to rely on slow, paper-driven bureaucratic procedures that encourage delays, corruption, inefficiency, and poor record-keeping. The promise of transparency, accountability, traceability and faster service delivery is attractive to investors, developers, professionals and ordinary citizens alike.

The Centre on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that 157 of the 161 projects sanctioned under the Srinagar Smart City Mission have been completed at a cost of Rs 3,530 crore, accounting for 98 per cent of the total projects approved for the city.

Replying to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 882 raised by MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said that, as reported by Srinagar Smart City Limited, the city had undertaken 161 projects worth Rs 3,633 crore across multiple sectors, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), smart mobility, smart governance, smart energy and the environment. Of these, 157 projects had been completed as of March 31, 2026.

Malaysia’s government cloud backbone is becoming an increasingly important layer of digital infrastructure supporting smart-city initiatives, planning systems and public service delivery — including areas linked to land administration, housing and construction approvals.

This comes as the Cloud Framework Agreement (CFA 1.0) involving AwanBiru Technology Bhd (Awantec), Google Cloud Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Awantec Systems Sdn Bhd has been extended to June 2027, ensuring continuity of cloud infrastructure and services while the successor Cloud Framework Agreement 2.0 (CFA 2.0) is being prepared.

Boldyn Networks and Sunderland City Council’s long term partnership aims to create the UK’s smartest city, where no one is left behind, says Boldyn’s Danny Kelly

Long-term relationships deliver results. Our seven-year partnership with Sunderland City Council is benefiting citizens, start-ups, patients and even the venerable football club of the city in the North East.

...the future of African cities: Lessons from Europe

Every rainy season, Accra is reminded of a painful reality. Roads become rivers, businesses shut down, homes are inundated, and families are displaced.

The devastating floods that have repeatedly affected the city are no longer isolated natural disasters—they are symptoms of deeper urban planning challenges.

Around the world, city populations keep growing and with that so do pressures on housing, transportation, urban infrastructure and the natural environment. In the Canadian province of New Brunswick, the cities of Moncton and Dieppe are all too familiar with these challenges as years of rapid growth test the limits of what existing housing, roads and green space can absorb.

“Moncton is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country and it’s putting real pressure on where and how we accommodate people,” said Josh Davies, manager of long-range policy planning at the City of Moncton. “Affordable housing is a major challenge, especially as construction and labor costs continue to rise.”

At a glance

• Who: City Walk Abuja; Link Developments; Benoy; Broadgate Developments Group.
• What: Plans have been unveiled for City Walk Abuja, a new mixed-use smart city development in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
• Why: To establish a new global gateway for investment, enterprise, culture, and innovation in Africa.
• Where: City Walk Abuja will link the central business district with Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

City Walk Abuja will combine landscaped public spaces, biodiversity corridors and sustainable water systems with smart infrastructure and walkable neighbourhoods.

Plans have been unveiled for a new mixed-use smart city development in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, linking the central business district with Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Joining forces with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Central Visayas, the local government of Mandaue unveiled its plans at the opening of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) last July 13 toward becoming one of the first smart and sustainable cities in the region.

During its launch, Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano introduced the “Smart Mandaue” Road map that targets to provide better public service and governance to the city through science, technology, and innovation.

Tripura CM Manik Saha says Agartala Smart City works and road repairs will be completed before Durga Puja despite monsoon delays.

Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has assured that the ongoing Smart City projects in Agartala will be completed before Durga Puja and that all roads in the city, which are currently in a dilapidated condition, will be repaired or reconstructed by then. He gave the assurance after personally visiting most of the ongoing projects and reviewing their progress.

Children must actively embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of the city.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said technology should ultimately serve to improve urban quality of life—specifically by easing traffic congestion, protecting the environment, conserving energy, and bolstering public safety.

New Zealand has updated its Identification Standards to strengthen identity assurance processes used across public and private sector services. The revised standards, published on 20 July 2026, aim to improve how organisations verify identities, manage fraud risks and support digital transactions. According to the Department of Internal Affairs announcement, the changes follow a formal review process and feedback from agencies and technical experts.

The standards support identification management processes used when people access online services, open financial accounts or share personal information. They are also linked to New Zealand’s broader digital governance efforts, including recent measures to improve oversight of major public technology initiatives, as outlined in government technology project oversight reforms.

Zambia has launched the GovLink Private 4G network to provide secure, high-speed Internet connectivity for public institutions, creating a government-owned digital backbone to support Digital Transformation across healthcare, education and other public services.

Zambia has taken another step towards modernising public services with the launch of GovLink Private 4G, a government-owned connectivity network designed to provide secure, high-speed Internet access to health facilities, schools and other public institutions nationwide.

Govt nods for continuation, repurposing of JSCL and SSCL works

Closed in March last year 2025, the Smart City Mission for both Jammu and Srinagar Cities will now continue for repurposing of Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).

The order in this regard was issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Department.

While digital transformation initiatives have made strides in enhancing public-facing services, operational issues remain problematic. Dr Graham Turnbull from Reinvigoration explains

The UK public sector has not been short of ambition when it comes to transformation. Over the past decade, local authorities, NHS trusts, housing associations, and central government departments have invested substantially in digital platforms, service redesign, shared services, and efficiency programmes. But outcomes have not kept pace with the effort.

Mayor Hisham Ismail on Tuesday outlined a development roadmap focused on infrastructure, public services, economic growth and good governance as the city advances its vision of becoming a Smart City and a Highly Urbanized City (HUC).

In his first State of the City Address (SOCA), Ismail highlighted the city government's accomplishments from July 2025 to June 2026 and outlined priority programs to improve the delivery of public services, sustain economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for Legazpeños.

Chicago will upgrade 42 parks using a Heat Vulnerability Index to prioritise neighbourhoods most at risk from extreme heat and health inequalities.

The City of Chicago is investing $1 million to upgrade cooling infrastructure at 42 neighbourhood parks, targeting communities identified as being most vulnerable to extreme heat through a data-driven mapping tool.

Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister Erwin Jay Saunders says the Turks and Caicos Islands Government is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy that is expected to go before Cabinet in September, as the country accelerates its digital transformation agenda.

Saunders represented the Turks and Caicos Islands at the four-day Regional Artificial Intelligence Workshop, hosted by the Anguilla House of Assembly from June 21 to 24. The forum brought together parliamentarians, digital governance officials and technology experts from across the Caribbean to examine AI readiness, ethical governance, cybersecurity and digital transformation.

Vietnam is advancing a series of smart public-sector initiatives spanning urban development, digital transformation, healthcare and transport infrastructure. Recent government programmes and municipal policies highlight efforts to modernise public services, strengthen economic growth and improve quality of life in major cities. Developments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City also reflect broader national priorities around innovation, smart infrastructure and social welfare.

Hanoi expands digital and urban infrastructure initiatives

Hanoi has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving public services and supporting long-term urban growth. From 6 July 2026, the city opened registration for free chip-enabled bus cards for eligible passengers using subsidised public transport services. Authorities said the programme is intended to improve convenience and service quality, particularly for older residents.

The launch of CTMIS marks another milestone in Zambia's digital government programme, with the SMART Zambia Institute continuing to deploy technology-driven solutions aimed at improving public sector efficiency, enhancing service delivery and accelerating the country's digital transformation agenda.

The Zambian government has launched the Contract Tracking and Management Information System (CTMIS) as part of its drive to digitise public administration, improve efficiency and eliminate the costly movement of physical contract files across government institutions.

New government funding in Greece promotes resilient municipalities and citizen-focused digital public services.

The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence has launched a €10 million funding programme to accelerate digital transformation across 35 municipalities, supporting the modernisation of local public services and digital infrastructure.

Municipalities in Greece will be able to develop and upgrade digital public services, citizen request management platforms and mobile applications. The programme also supports projects in civil protection, crisis management, telemedicine, remote care for vulnerable groups and digital tourism, including interactive maps, virtual and augmented reality applications, and the digitisation of historical and cultural archives.

Picture a stretch of flat, open land in Gujarat, roughly an hour's drive from Ahmedabad, where a few years ago you'd have seen little more than farmland, salt flats, and the occasional grazing herd. Today, that same land is home to one of India's most ambitious urban experiments: Dholera Smart City. Roads are being laid where there were none. An international airport is taking shape. And thousands of investors, NRIs, and first-time land buyers are asking the same question - is this the next big Indian city, or an overhyped plot of dust?

This article walks through what Dholera actually is, why it keeps showing up in investment conversations, what the infrastructure story looks like, and what you genuinely need to know before treating it as more than a curiosity. No inflated promises, no manufactured urgency - just a grounded look at a project that is, by any measure, unusually large in scope.

The 100-day campaign aims to remove key digital transformation bottlenecks, accelerate data-driven governance and improve the delivery of public services.

A 100-day action plan has been launched aimed at removing long-standing bottlenecks in digital transformation across the country's political system.

The plan requires ministries, agencies and local authorities to deliver measurable outcomes by the end of November.

Amidst the digital wave, smart city construction has become a popular choice for megacities to address governance challenges. Wuhan, keeping pace with China's modernization, has continuously innovated in governance, upgraded industries, and optimized the ecosystem, injecting vitality into the city. This allows residents of Wuhan to live and work with much greater convenience, and to embrace a bright future together.

Project Background

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, is often called the "City of Rivers." As a major metropolis in central China, Wuhan is rich in history and culture. As a megacity and an important comprehensive transportation hub in China, Wuhan is also the center for shipping, the regional economy, innovation in science and technology, commerce, and logistics in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Wuhan administers 16 districts, covering an area of about 8,569 square kilometres, with a permanent population of about 13.81 million.

Abang Johari said that the development of Sibu will be driven through the Mid-Rajang Central Region Development Agency (MiRRDA) with the support of the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), which each received an allocation of RM1.5 billion to implement projects according to local needs through a bottom-up development approach.

He said the approach focuses on forest conservation, the green economy, carbon trading, and the use of new technologies to create sustainable economic growth.

For the past decade, we’ve been sold a seductive vision: the “smart city.” Gleaming control rooms, traffic lights that talk to each other, trash cans that tweet when they’re full, and a seamless digital utopia managed by benevolent algorithms. The narrative has been overwhelmingly technocentric—as if the city were a sluggish operating system merely awaiting a software patch.

But a new systematic literature review by Yuxi Dai, Sandra Hasanefendic, and Bart Bossink delivers a much-needed bucket of cold water. After sifting through the evidence on the smart city transformation process, their findings point to an inconvenient truth: technology is not the lead actor. It’s a supporting prop. The real drama—and the real bottleneck—is the human one.

Motorola Solutions APAC’s Vice President of Sales for Video Security and Access Control, Jason Tan, highlights the importance of investing equally in the governance, transparency, and accountability frameworks that give AI-enabled security tools their legitimacy.

What does it mean to keep a city safe without making it feel watched?

For city governments in Asia deploying artificial intelligence (AI)-powered video security systems, the question sits at the heart of policy decisions.

Over the past seven editions, Africa’s presence in the IMD Business School Smart City Index has grown significantly. From six ranked cities in 2019, the continent now boasts nine in 2026, including Rabat, Cairo, Abuja, Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Tunis.

At the top of the African ranking, Rabat has confirmed its position as the continent’s benchmark. The Moroccan capital has steadily climbed the rankings, establishing itself as Africa’s highest-ranked smart city thanks to a long-term strategy that combines digital transformation, modernization of public services, and stronger local governance.

Exploring the Role of Data and Technology in Shaping Smarter Urban Transport Systems

The world is changing at an incredible rate, and the big driver behind this change is how we collect and use data. Take our cities, for example: millions of people living in urban areas need to travel within the city for economic growth, each producing their own subset of data every day.

With the initiative of Agartala Municipal Corporation organized inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed Ward Office of Ward No. 40 at Baradowali, Agartala, Tripura on Tuesday (7th July, 2026).

In the presence of many distinguished dignitaries Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial Lamp.

At a glance

• Who: World Governments Summit Organisation; Deloitte.
• What: Report affirms that smart cities are becoming a fundamental pillar of sustainable economic growth, environmental stewardship, and improved quality of life.
• Why: To examine how emerging technologies are reshaping urban environments and enabling cities to become more sustainable, connected, resilient, and liveable. It highlights that sustainable urban development is no longer a future aspiration but an urgent necessity.
• When: The report was published in June.

Report says the future of urban development will depend on cities’ ability to combine technological innovation with sustainability, inclusiveness and resilience.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia underscores deep strategic realignments, a powerful municipal bridge is transforming how the premier urban centres of India and Australia prepare for a technology-driven future. In a major milestone for decentralised diplomacy, the civic administrations of Melbourne and Bengaluru have formally established a collaborative partnership to pioneer smart city innovations.

The structured framework of this innovative city-to-city alliance was set in motion by a landmark visit last year, when the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne led an official high-level municipal delegation to India-marking the city’s first such diplomatic mission to the subcontinent in many years. A primary and natural stop on that itinerary was Bengaluru.

The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has organized a practical seminar on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration as part of the implementation of the "Action Plan for Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2028", AzerNEWS reports.

Held at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDIA), the event was organized in cooperation with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the University of Birmingham. It brought together deputy ministers, deputy heads of agencies, and senior officials responsible for digital transformation across government institutions.

The Smart City Command Centre initiative will be expanded across Sarawak as part of its long-term strategy to develop low-carbon and technology-driven urban centres, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the expansion is aimed at strengthening safety, efficiency and sustainability in urban management, supported by real-time data systems and artificial intelligence.

The Edo State Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy has convened a stakeholder engagement workshop to advance the state’s digital transformation agenda and strengthen collaboration among key players in the sector.

The workshop, held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy, brought together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, ICT professionals, development partners and other stakeholders.

• Africa increased its representation in the IMD Smart City Index from six cities in 2019 to nine in 2026, although none has yet entered the global top 100.
• The IMD report identifies governance and institutional capacity, rather than technology alone, as the strongest predictor of smart city performance.
• Rabat and Abuja improved through governance reforms, while Cairo, Lagos and Nairobi continued to face structural constraints despite digital investments

Africa has expanded its presence in the IMD Business School Smart City Index, increasing the number of ranked cities from six in 2019 to nine in 2026. However, the continent still has no city among the world's top 100, as governance and institutional capacity continue to lag behind technological investment.

The key initiatives taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain on digital transformation journey have enhanced the efficiency of government services while strengthening the country’s position in relevant international digital government indices, said a top government official at the ongoing Bahrain Smart Cities Summit 2026.

These achievements have been realised in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which have contributed to building an advanced integrated national digital ecosystem that supports sustainable development,” remarked Ali Abdulaziz Al Janahi, the Deputy Chief Executive for eTransformation at the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA).

The platform integrates digital 3D models of more than 195,000 buildings

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, on Thursday witnessed the launch of the Dubai Digital Twin Platform during a workshop organised by Dubai Municipality.

Writing on his X account, Sheikh Hamdan said: “I witnessed the launch of the Dubai Digital Twin Platform during a workshop organised by Dubai Municipality. The platform integrates digital 3D models of more than 195,000 buildings, 330,000 public facilities, and 280,000 infrastructure assets across the emirate.”

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has set a goal of becoming a global smart city through the development of the Red River. It will also start industrialization centered on semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).

Hanoi City held a 'Hanoi City's 100-year vision master plan and investment promotion presentation' at the Hanoi National Convention Center on the 29th (local time). More than 1,200 government officials and businessmen attended the event, including National Assembly Speaker Tran Tynman, Hanoi City Party Secretary Tran Deuk-Tang, and Hanoi City People's Committee Chairman Budai-Tang.

Indonesia's government technology (GovTech) transformation could save more than Rp1,500 trillion (about US$84 billion) through integrated public services, better-targeted social assistance and more efficient governance, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said.

"We have reported to the president that savings could exceed Rp1,500 trillion. The calculations are complete, realistic and have been submitted," said Luhut, chairman of the Government Digital Transformation Acceleration Committee, on Tuesday.

The educational landscape is undergoing a structural shift.

Driven by the national digitalisation strategy, ‘Government in Your Hand’ and accelerated by recent global trends, digital transformation is no longer a futuristic concept confined to urban boardrooms. It is actively redefining how knowledge is packaged, delivered and assessed across the kingdom. From primary schools navigating new ICT frameworks to tertiary institutions standardising digital quality assurance via regional UNESCO initiatives, technology is fundamentally reshaping the classroom. However, this digital migration brings a mix of new opportunities and stark operational hurdles that the country must carefully balance.

Hanoi and CMC Corporation have launched a five-year partnership to accelerate digital transformation, AI adoption and innovation through a series of concrete projects aimed at building a smarter capital.

On June 26, 2026, at the headquarters of the Hanoi People's Committee, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote the development of digital government, the digital economy, digital society and digital citizens. The agreement forms part of Hanoi's strategy to cooperate with Vietnam's leading technology enterprises as the capital seeks to become a national hub for science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and AI transformation.

Amid growing public dissatisfaction over recurring urban problems despite massive public investment, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an independent third-party audit of the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project to examine its execution, expenditure and overall impact.

The decision was taken during a recent Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and is being viewed as a significant move towards reviewing one of the Valley’s biggest urban infrastructure initiatives. The Smart City project, launched under the Centre’s flagship Smart Cities Mission, has involved investments worth thousands of crores over the past several years.

• Officials discuss AI, data and urban innovation during virtual meeting
• Saudi, Japanese capitals seek closer cooperation on smart city solutions

Riyadh Region Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike held virtual talks on strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise in digital transformation and smart city development.

The meeting, attended by Saudi and Japanese officials, focused on digital transformation and its applications in urban management, as well as developments in smart cities, artificial intelligence and data-driven municipal services.

India’s urban story is entering a defining chapter. As cities expand, industries disperse beyond traditional metropolitan centres, and infrastructure investments reshape economic activity, urban competitiveness is becoming a key determinant of growth. It is no longer just about building bigger cities, but about building more efficient, connected, and responsive cities.

This shift has brought renewed attention to the idea of the smart city. Over the past decade, technology-enabled urban development has moved from concept to implementation across multiple Indian cities, introducing new approaches to mobility, governance, public services, sustainability, and infrastructure management. As these initiatives continue to mature, they are also prompting a broader discussion around their contribution to economic growth and urban productivity.

One of the most visionary cities of India is the Dholera Greenfield Smart City which promises a change in the way Indians live, work, and invest. The Dholera project is based in Gujarat and forms an integral part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which promises to be the world’s most advanced smart city with modern infrastructural and technological facilities.

Dholera being India’s first Greenfield Smart City provides numerous investment opportunities for everyone who seeks to get into the next big thing of India.

Harare's urban capacity has long outstripped its original colonial design. Gridlocked roads, chronic office shortages and ageing infrastructure define daily life in the capital. Twenty kilometres west, at Mount Hampden, a blueprint for a new administrative smart city rises alongside nationwide airport expansions and transnational tourism highways—all sustained by Chinese financing, engineering expertise and technical training under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework.

The platform, which is part of the broader “Digital for Excellence” initiative, is designed as an integrated digital infrastructure aimed at improving public service delivery.

The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has announced the official launch of the Unified MESOB Platform, describing it as a major milestone in Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey and one of the most advanced locally developed digital systems in Africa.

The Government of the Republic of Moldova and the international payment company Mastercard have announced the launch of the Digital Country Partnership program—a collaborative initiative aimed at supporting the digital transformation of the economy, modernizing public services, and expanding financial inclusion.

According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, the partnership involves leveraging the company’s expertise and technologies to implement projects in the areas of electronic payments, the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, the development of government services, and the formulation of data-driven public policy.

The Parliament has begun its preliminary debate on the "Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Bill" that was filed by the government, which states the digitalization of most services provided by state agencies and making arrangements for all those services are to be made available on one portal.

Gadhdhoo Constituency MP Mohamed Ali submitted the bill on behalf of the government, which reads that a special program under the name "Maldives 2.0" needs to be conducted in changing most services to be given digitally with the aid of modern technology. One of the objectives of the program is to establish a portal named the "Citizen Portal", where state agency services that are to be digitalized be made available under one platform. The bill also reads that a roadmap which details how Maldives will be digitalized, along with the portal and other digital services, is to be included as well.

Who really benefits from the country’s urban transformation?

When the Smart Cities Mission was announced in 2015, it was pitched as a “bold vision” for India’s urban future. Cities would be more efficient, sustainable and technologically advanced. Digital government, advanced transportation systems, surveillance networks, integrated command centres, and modern infrastructure would benefit millions of urban dwellers.

The plan, which is fully anchored in Uganda's Vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the National Digital Transformation Programme, sets one overarching goal to grow the proportion of Ugandans actively using e-government services from a baseline of 9.2 percent to 40 percent by FY 2029/30.

The National Information Technology Authority -Uganda (NITA-U) has officially launched its Strategic Plan for Financial Year 2025/26 to 2029/30, setting out a five-year agenda to transform how Uganda’s government serves its citizens in the digital age. The launch was held at Skyz Hotel, Naguru, Kampala, and brought together representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital transformation and emerging technologies to improve productivity, transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.

Speaking at the National Productivity and Performance Conference 2026 organized by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui said technology is fundamentally reshaping how government operates and delivers services to citizens.