Where the smart cities community meets Smart cities have evolved from bold ambition to everyday reality, shaping how communities grow, thrive, and adapt.
In 2027, we convene in Boston, MA, a city at the intersection of tradition and transformation, to explore what’s next for urban innovation.
One of America’s most storied cities and a place that knows something about reinvention.
This spring, Smart Cities Connect Conference will examine the strategies, partnerships, and technologies driving long-term impact across city systems.
By fostering a dynamic and inclusive space for knowledge exchange, Smart Cities Connect Conference empowers cities to lead with purpose.
2m ago · via smartcitiesworld.net
A recent report that I co-edited, Smart City Surveillance in Africa: Mapping Chinese AI Surveillance Across 11 Countries, considers this question.
As the uproar around Uganda’s EPSAuto shows, there are concerns—often valid—that smart-city surveillance tools are being used to identify and monitor activists, opposition figures, critics, and protesters.
Activists, journalists, and opposition figures described altering travel routes, communication practices, and patterns of assembly in response to smart-city surveillance tools whose full capabilities remain unknown.
Regulation must keep pace with technology, which means applying the same principle to smart-city surveillance tools.
Smart-city surveillance technology can help governments investigate crimes, recover stolen vehicles, and improve public services without giving them carte blanche to track people.
45m ago · via countercurrents.org
By Alimat Aliyeva Azerbaijan has hosted a high-level roundtable at the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) dedicated to Victory Day, exploring the evolution of human settlements from prehistoric shelters to modern smart cities and sustainable communities.
The discussions brought together diplomats, representatives of international organisations and urban development experts.
He traced the historical development of settlements in Azerbaijan, from the ancient Azykh and Taghlar caves to contemporary smart cities and villages.
She noted that Azerbaijan had identified demining as its 18th national Sustainable Development Goal.
The event concluded with a presentation of traditional Azerbaijani sweets, offering guests an opportunity to experience the country's cultural heritage alongside discussions on its urban development priorities.
5h ago · via azernews.az
Almaty has rolled out Jerry, a network of pedestrian smartboards that act as a new kind of digital street assistant.
We look at why the launch reinforces the city’s standing as the region’s smart city capital – and what makes the model unique.
In early November, Jerry arrived on Almaty’s pedestrian streets: a smart city assistant that brings navigation, a city guide, an events listing, air-quality data and emergency calling together in one place.
CITIX operates at the intersection of smart city technology and adtech, and has been refining this model for several years.
Advertising revenue funds the integration of the company’s own smart city solutions.
13h ago · via kz.kursiv.media
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have released a toolbox on people-centred smart cities in the AI era.
The United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) Toolbox for People-Centred Smart Cities in the AI Era provides practical guidance for mayors, city managers, and policymakers on assessing how AI can be used in urban services, what safeguards are required, and when deploying AI may not be appropriate.
The toolbox sets out four principles for the use of AI in cities.
The guidance draws on real-world smart city examples, including Helsinki and eThekwini, to illustrate how these principles can inform local decision-making.
Decisions about AI adoption in cities involve more than assessing a technology’s potential efficiency.
14h ago · via dig.watch
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) has launched a new Business Task Force to connect cities with private investors and technology companies, as part of efforts to overcome barriers preventing climate innovations from progressing beyond pilot projects.
Announced at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, the initiative will bring together municipal leaders, investors and industry representatives to identify investment opportunities, align climate projects with private-sector priorities and help cities bring new technologies to market.
It forms part of a wider initiative that includes 50 cities representing more than 160 million people across 27 countries.
22h ago · via cities-today.com
Today Group, in association with Prachar Developers, has announced plans to develop Navi Mumbai’s first private smart city at Kharghar Hills.
The proposed township will combine residential spaces, lifestyle amenities, technology-enabled infrastructure and connectivity, according to the developers.
Located amid the Kharghar Hills, the development will offer views of the surrounding landscape while incorporating technology into the living environment.
Connectivity is expected to be supported by the 60-feet-wide Kharghar Link Road, which will improve movement within the proposed township.
The Kharghar Hills development builds on that experience and is intended to create a large-scale residential community combining urban infrastructure with access to nature.
23h ago · via constructionworld.in
The authors identified that despite expanding rhetoric surrounding citizen involvement and collaborative governance, urban digital initiatives frequently fail to extend beyond superficial consultation to grant residents genuine decision-making influence.
In response to these systemic disparities, the concept of inclusive innovation has gained traction as both an operational policy aim and a critical analytical framework.
The second domain, Digital Inclusion and Infrastructure, contained five publications examining physical connectivity, broadband equity, digital literacy, and the structural digital divide.
Subject of Research: Systematic literature review of inclusive innovation frameworks in smart cities Article Title: Inclusive innovation in smart cities: a systematic literature review of conceptual fragmentation, dominant themes, and research gaps Article References: Ghorashi, S. S., Karvonen, A., Mobini Dehkordi, A., & Yadollahi Farsi, J.
Inclusive innovation in smart cities: a systematic literature review of conceptual fragmentation, dominant themes, and research gaps.
1d ago · via bioengineer.org
Dive Brief: The Northern Illinois Transit Authority, successor to the Regional Transportation Authority, released its first proposed 2027 operating budget and five-year capital program on Nov. 2.
The $5.04 billion operating budget, which covers the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter railroad and Pace suburban bus service, proposes more CTA bus service, no fare increases next year and measures to improve personal safety.
Dive Insight: The Illinois state legislature passed a bill last year to restructure the region’s transportation authority and provide $1.5 billion in funding for public transportation agencies.
“We have entered a new chapter of public transportation in northeastern Illinois,” Metra Executive Director Jim Derwinski said in a Nov. 2 statement.
The 2027 budget includes more transit ambassadors, better coordination with law enforcement and social services, fare gates and a new Office of Transit Safety and Experience.
1d ago · via smartcitiesdive.com
City councils routinely approve five-year capital improvement plans for assets expected to serve the public for 30, 50 or even 100 years.
A stronger model would treat the capital improvement plan as a living management system.
Here are other ideas for how to keep capital planning front of mind on an ongoing basis.
Review the formal capital improvement plans at least quarterly, more often when conditions warrant, but make the asset management database part of day-to-day operations.
That modest step begins shifting capital planning from a recurring exercise to an ongoing habit of governance.
1d ago · via smartcitiesdive.com
Telecom Egypt is expanding its role in the enterprise technology market, showcasing artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and Internet of Things solutions at Cairo ICT 2026 as it moves beyond traditional connectivity services.
Its “Beyond Connectivity” strategy focuses on developing digital services tailored to the needs of businesses and public institutions across Egypt.
Telecom Egypt's SME packages bring together secure connectivity, networking, surveillance, cloud services and business applications.
Alongside its enterprise services, Telecom Egypt is promoting its international infrastructure, including submarine cables, landing stations and terrestrial routes connecting Africa, Asia and Europe.
Telecom Egypt's expanded portfolio positions it to compete in the enterprise digital services market while supporting organisations seeking to modernise operations and adopt data-driven technologies.
1d ago · via itweb.africa
The country currently has 910 urban areas, including two special-class urban areas, seven Class I urban areas and 901 Class II and III urban areas.
Vietnam's urbanization rate has reached 53.3%, while average residential floor space in urban areas exceeds 30 square meters per person.
Smart cities should be measured by real improvements in daily life Data-driven smart urban governance was among the key topics discussed at the forum.
The success of smart cities should not be assessed solely through overall improvements.
Instead, they assess their experiences through practical issues such as traffic congestion, urban flooding and lengthy administrative procedures.
1d ago · via vietnamnet.vn
Technology-led infrastructure, improved civic services and planned urban development are shaping the future of cities across Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh has 10 cities selected under the Central Smart Cities Mission: Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Prayagraj, Saharanpur and Varanasi.
A FOCUS ON PLANNED AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT The Smart Cities Mission focuses on improving urban infrastructure through a combination of area-based development and technology-driven solutions.
For implementation, the 10 Central Smart Cities in Uttar Pradesh operate through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) established under the Companies Act, 2013.
STRENGTHENING THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK The Smart Cities initiative in Uttar Pradesh extends beyond the 10 cities selected under the Central Mission.
1d ago · via indiatoday.in
Matt said: "AI is going to shape how cities use energy and water whether we plan for it or not.
He said: “For me, the biggest challenges include getting diverse governments to make sufficient commitments that they actually implement to match the urgency of climate change.
No country can mitigate climate change without getting the global majority on board but several issues marginalize these communities.
I can only hope COP31 will fix these issues.”
It’s great that such wide-ranging expertise and research from the University of Bristol will be part of this important global gathering.
1d ago · via bristol.ac.uk
The baseline scenario for the world non-illuminated signs market anticipates steady expansion from 2026 to 2035, with a projected CAGR of 3.2% and a market index reaching 137 by 2035 (2025=100).
Industrial Facilities (estimated share: 20%) Industrial facilities, including manufacturing plants, warehouses, and construction sites, require non-illuminated signs for safety, identification, and regulatory compliance.
The segment is less susceptible to digital substitution, as safety signs must remain visible without power and meet specific standards.
Latin America (estimated share: 10%) Infrastructure investment and urbanization in Brazil and Mexico boost demand for road and safety signs.
Market Outlook (2026-2035) In the baseline scenario, IndexBox estimates a 3.2% compound annual growth rate for the global non-illuminated signs market over 2026-2035, bringing the market index to roughly 137 by 2035 (2025=100).
Nov 8, 2026 · via indexbox.io
The process of urban development nationwide has witnessed significant changes in spatial organization, growth models, and governance methods.
The country now has 2 special urban areas, 7 Type I urban areas, and 892 Type II and Type III urban areas, bringing the urbanization rate to approximately 53.3%.
In reality, urban areas continue to play a crucial role in the economy.
Smart cities lay the foundation for developing growth poles.
2116/QD-TTg dated November 5, 2026, recently approved by the Government on the National Smart City Development Orientation for the period 2026-2030, with a vision to 2035.
Nov 8, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
Synovate Technologies announces its recognition in the 2025 Forbes China Emerging Tech T30&30 Selection for its work in industrial machine hearing and cognitive sensing.
-- Synovate Technologies, a National High-Tech Enterprise specializing in machine hearing, has announced its recognition in the 2025 Forbes China Emerging Tech T30&30 Selection.
Forbes China Recognition Highlights Industrial Machine Hearing Synovate Technologies' recognition in the 2025 Forbes China Emerging Tech T30&30 Selection reflects its work in applying machine hearing to industrial environments.
About Synovate Technologies Synovate Technologies is a Hong Kong-funded National High-Tech Enterprise specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of machine hearing applications.
Contact Info: Name: Forrest Lee Email: Send Email Organization: Synovate Technologies Website: https://www.synovate.tech/ Release ID: 89208849
Nov 8, 2026 · via financialcontent.com
National strategies range from digital transformation to local smart city initiatives and public-private partnerships, with milestones including the Digital Cities Program and the National Urban Development and Housing Framework.
Local planning instruments operationalizing smart governance include the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and the Local Climate Change Action Plan.
Smart urban governance contributes to the success of climate-resilient urban development and works best when institutional coordination, regulatory coherence, and participatory engagement align across governance levels from macro to micro.
Subject of Research: How smart urban governance translates climate policy into climate-resilient urban design in Metro Manila developments Article Title: Mitigating climate change through smart urban governance and climate-resilient urban development: linking policy, governance, and design in highly urbanized cities of Metro Manila, Philippines Article References: Magnaye, D. C. (2026).
Mitigating climate change through smart urban governance and climate-resilient urban development: linking policy, governance, and design in highly urbanized cities of Metro Manila, Philippines.
Nov 7, 2026 · via bioengineer.org
Today, owners increasingly want high-quality food that meets their pets’ nutritional needs and addresses specific health concerns.
Pet food providers are responding to these expectations with a wider range of options.
“Pet food becomes less like packaged food and more like good healthcare, with an opportunity to change not just what dogs eat, but how long and how well they live,” said Regev.
“We know the pet parent is stretched, so we work with our suppliers to develop formulas that we know consumers want and need at prices that won't give them sticker shock,” Dave Ratner, owner and founder of Dave's Pet Food, told Newsweek.
“With so many pet food brands available, the choices can feel overwhelming.
Nov 7, 2026 · via newsweek.com
After more than a decade of advancing sensing technologies and intelligent systems, Florida Atlantic University’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE) is evolving its identity.
As part of its continued evolution, I-SENSE will be renamed I-SENSE: The Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health.
“This new identity is not a change in our mission,” said Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D., executive director of I-SENSE.
Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D., executive director of I-SENSE.
Mike Twardowski, Ph.D., I-SENSE faculty fellow and a research professor at FAU Harbor Branch, has advanced ocean-sensing technologies through U.S. Navy-supported research that improves understanding of marine bioluminescence and ocean conditions.
Nov 7, 2026 · via fau.edu