Letter to the Editor By Assoc Prof Dr Nadzirah Zainordin When we imagine Sarawak’s future, we often picture cities. We see a more connected Kuching, digitally enabled public services, intelligent transport systems, modern infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and new economic opportunities created through technology. These are important aspirations, and they reflect Sarawak’s determination to position itself for a rapidly changing global economy. Yet, as we look towards this future, perhaps we should ask a slightly different question: what happens beyond the city? For a State as geographically extensive and socially diverse as Sarawak, development cannot be defined by its urban centres alone. Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu, and other cities and towns will undoubtedly remain important engines of economic activity, education, healthcare, innovation, and public administration. But they exist within a much larger landscape of smaller towns, villages, and rural communities. These communities are sometimes discussed primarily in terms of distance, infrastructure gaps or limited access to services. Perhaps it is time to look at them differently. Sarawak’s smartest future may begin in its villages. This is not an argument against urbanisation. Cities matter. They concentrate talent, institutions, businesses, infrastructure, and knowledge, and they will continue to play a central role in Sarawak’s economic transformation. The opportunity, however, is to connect the strengths of these cities with the strengths of the communities beyond them. The smart city concept provides a useful starting point. Around the world, cities increasingly use sensors, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and connected infrastructure to improve how they function. These technologies can support transport management, environmental monitoring, public services, infrastructure planning, and economic activity. Sarawak’s own digital transformation creates considerable opportunities in this regard. But for Sarawak, the smart-city conversation should not end at the city boundary. Perhaps the next question should be whether we can build
Sep 7, 2026 · via dayakdaily.com
At the forum themed "Creating a Digital, Green, and Sustainable Future: From Strategic Commitment to Substantive Action," Prime Minister Hung called on the two nations need to intensify cooperation grounded in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He stressed the need to explore and promote joint cooperation models in areas such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, smart cities, sustainable agriculture, startup incubators, and R&D centers. This strategic direction is aimed at deepening the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and making it substantive and effective, according to the Prime Minister. He urged localities in both countries to clearly identify priority and key sectors with complementary strengths, and to propose specific, feasible cooperation initiatives and projects for immediate implementation. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and mutual understanding as the foundation for long-term cooperation. Prime Minister Hung called for a focus on developing tourism products, opening new air routes connecting localities, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, promoting heritage values and cultural industries, and boosting cooperation in green transformation, climate change response, and disaster prevention capabilities. He also called on local governments and businesses from both sides to shift their models from mere "cooperation" to "co-facilitation," and from "technology transfer" to "joint development." Japanese enterprises should view Vietnam as a hub for manufacturing, innovation, and sustainable supply chain connectivity that serves both Japanese localities and the national economy, the Prime Minister said. The Vietnamese Government, ministries, agencies, and localities will continue to stand alongside Japanese investors, vigorously improve the investment and business environment, and establish a streamlined institutional framework to facilitate effective and substantive cooperation in this new phase of development, he added. In a message addressed to the forum, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said "the vitality of localities is the vitality of the nation." She expressed the hope that the
Sep 7, 2026 · via vovworld.vn
Hanoi is accelerating digital transformation and applying science and technology to urban governance with the core goal of serving the people and improving management efficiency. Hà Nội Mới•07/09/2026 The deployment of utilities such as the "Flooding Map," autonomous vehicles operating under a sandbox mechanism, and the Hanoi Smart Police application demonstrates the commitment to building a safe, smart, and transparent capital city. From a "shield" against natural disasters to the foundation of future transportation. In the context of complex global climate change, frequently facing unusually heavy rainfall causing localized flooding and severe traffic congestion, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology has launched the mini-app "Flooding Map," a specialized utility directly integrated into the iHanoi Digital Citizen platform, to address this problem. Unlike scattered information sources on social media, the "Flooding Map" is built on a proprietary data platform, directly connected via API to the monitoring system of the Hanoi Drainage Company (HSDC). The application provides accurate, real-time technical parameters such as location coordinates, rainfall amount, and flood depth in meters. Right on iHanoi, users can easily switch between the Hanoi base map or Google Maps, and simultaneously track the risk classification scale using intuitive colors, from green representing a safe level to purple corresponding to a severe level. The breakthrough of this utility lies in its ability to personalize the user experience. When a flooded area is touched, the system will display a detailed information window, allowing people to proactively change their travel route. Users can also customize the alert radius from 1km to 100km and the time frame to suit their personal schedule. As soon as the first flooding point appears, the system will automatically send a push notification to the device. The Department of Science and Technology stated that the application is expected to be a "digital
Sep 7, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
Better Buildings, Lower Emissions: The Solutions and Strategies Driving Urban Decarbonization
Across cities, the push to reduce emissions is reshaping how buildings and infrastructure are designed, upgraded, and managed. What was once a series of isolated interventions is becoming a more coordinated effort, bringing together buildings, energy systems, and urban infrastructure. Retrofitting existing assets, improving energy performance, and adopting low-carbon materials are now central strategies, alongside the integration of renewables and smarter energy management. At the same time, resilience is moving up the agenda, influencing how infrastructure is designed and maintained. Delivering on these ambitions requires new approaches to financing, governance, and collaboration across the entire urban ecosystem.
Stage: Cities X People
Speakers
Parent Session
- Decarbonization Thursday 05, 13:30h - 15:05h | Stage: Cities X People All Passes
Sep 7, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com
Cheap real estate prices are shocking: Beware of deceptive tactics used to lure customers. (CLO) Villas and townhouses advertised for sale or rent at unusually low prices are increasingly appearing online. However, behind these attractive prices may be incomplete information, the property may already be sold, or a tactic used by brokers to lure customers into buying a different property. Công Luận•06/09/2026 Shockingly low real estate prices: Is it just a marketing ploy? Recently, social media has seen an increasing number of advertisements for the sale and rental of real estate at surprisingly low prices. Villas and townhouses are being advertised at significantly lower prices than the market average, accompanied by attractive images and enticing descriptions. However, behind many of these surprisingly low prices are tactics aimed at attracting attention, gathering customer information, or luring buyers to meet with brokers. Mr. Do The Hien ( Hanoi ) said that he recently came across some advertisements for villas for rent in Gia Lam (Hanoi) at a price of only about 7 million VND/month, along with information about long-term contracts. This price is significantly lower than the average rental price of similar villas in the area, attracting the attention of many customers. However, when contacting the advertised phone number, Mr. Hien was informed by the broker that the price of 7 million VND only applied to the first month. From the second month onwards, the rent would be calculated at a different rate. "The information posted online only stated the price as 7 million VND/month and a long-term contract, but when I called to inquire, I found out that this was only the price for the first month. If customers only look at the advertisement, it's easy to assume that it's a fixed rental price for the entire contract period," Mr. Hien
Sep 6, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
SpaceX’s AI arm, SpaceXAI, has named Australian digital consultancy Fabric Group as one of its first strategic partners in Asia-Pacific, in a multi-year deal aimed at expanding AI-assisted software development across Australian enterprise organisations. The agreement makes Fabric Group one of SpaceXAI’s first official partners in Australia and across the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, according to the companies. Fabric Group said it will invest in training and certifying its engineering workforce to meet expected demand for AI-assisted development. SpaceXAI said Australia is among its first markets outside the US for its channel partner programme, citing “organic adoption” by individual developers and positioning the partnership as part of a move into enterprise deployments. “Australia has consistently demonstrated that it is one of the APJ’s most progressive and mature enterprise technology regions,” said Simon Green, President APJ at SpaceXAI. “While SpaceXAI has already seen remarkable organic adoption from individual developers here, we are now entering the next phase of our growth by helping enterprise organisations fundamentally rethink how they build software. “AI is reshaping the entire software development lifecycle, allowing engineering teams to spend less time on repetitive implementation and more time solving complex business problems, designing better customer experiences and accelerating innovation. “For one of our first regional partners we wanted an organisation that shared our vision for transforming software engineering, and Fabric’s combination of deep technical capability and strategic consulting expertise offers that. This made them a great choice.” The partnership is being announced amid wider adoption of AI coding assistants, which are increasingly positioned as tools for generating code, identifying bugs, and producing documentation. The companies said the shift has implications beyond technology firms, arguing that most large organisations rely on software engineering and could see productivity impacts if AI-assisted development becomes more common. Laurent Behan, CEO
Sep 6, 2026 · via australiancybersecuritymagazine.com.au
SpaceX’s AI arm, SpaceXAI, has named Australian digital consultancy Fabric Group as one of its first strategic partners in Asia-Pacific, in a multi-year deal aimed at expanding AI-assisted software development across Australian enterprise organisations. The agreement makes Fabric Group one of SpaceXAI’s first official partners in Australia and across the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, according to the companies. Fabric Group said it will invest in training and certifying its engineering workforce to meet expected demand for AI-assisted development. SpaceXAI said Australia is among its first markets outside the US for its channel partner programme, citing “organic adoption” by individual developers and positioning the partnership as part of a move into enterprise deployments. “Australia has consistently demonstrated that it is one of the APJ’s most progressive and mature enterprise technology regions,” said Simon Green, President APJ at SpaceXAI. “While SpaceXAI has already seen remarkable organic adoption from individual developers here, we are now entering the next phase of our growth by helping enterprise organisations fundamentally rethink how they build software. “AI is reshaping the entire software development lifecycle, allowing engineering teams to spend less time on repetitive implementation and more time solving complex business problems, designing better customer experiences and accelerating innovation. “For one of our first regional partners we wanted an organisation that shared our vision for transforming software engineering, and Fabric’s combination of deep technical capability and strategic consulting expertise offers that. This made them a great choice.” The partnership is being announced amid wider adoption of AI coding assistants, which are increasingly positioned as tools for generating code, identifying bugs, and producing documentation. The companies said the shift has implications beyond technology firms, arguing that most large organisations rely on software engineering and could see productivity impacts if AI-assisted development becomes more common. Laurent Behan, CEO
Sep 6, 2026 · via australiancybersecuritymagazine.com.au
On September 6th, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province approved the general planning task for five urban wards of Da Lat until 2050. The planning scope includes Xuan Huong, Lam Vien, Xuan Truong, Cam Ly, and Lang Biang wards. Planning underway for 5 wards in Da Lat to develop green and smart cities. TPO - Lam Dong province has just approved the general planning task for 5 urban wards of Da Lat until 2050, with the goal of building a modern, green, and smart city. According to the plan, the planned area covers more than 68,000 hectares. By 2050, the population is projected to be over 756,000 people; of which the urban population will be approximately 485,000, and the converted population from tourists will be approximately 271,000. The number of tourists is expected to reach approximately 17.4 million per year. The plan aims to develop Da Lat into a green, smart, and modern city while preserving its unique identity. Specifically, Lam Dong province prioritizes the development of a comprehensive infrastructure system, improving urban quality, and simultaneously preserving cultural heritage values and distinctive natural landscapes. One of the key focuses is researching and improving the transportation system, urban space, technical infrastructure, parking lots, and underground spaces to meet the long-term demands of population growth and tourism. The plan also aims to transform the five wards into a center for sustainable tourism, services, and economy; and to enhance resilience to climate change and environmental protection. According to the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, the general planning for the five wards must ensure continuity and consistency with the provincial planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050; while also addressing bottlenecks in land use planning, transportation, and technical infrastructure. According to the new plan, the urban planning is expected to
Sep 6, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
How can we Finance Affordable Housing When Public Budgets are Never Enough?
Delivering affordable housing at scale requires more than political commitment. It demands financing models that can mobilise public and private capital at sufficient volume, distribute risk appropriately, and keep homes affordable over time. As public budgets alone are often insufficient, the session will focus on how cities, development banks and investment institutions can combine funds, guarantees, and public-private partnerships to make projects viable, manage risk, and ensure that investment supports long-term affordability rather than short-term market dynamics.
Stage: HOWS BARCELONA
Speakers
Parent Session
- Financing Affordable Housing Thursday 05, 12:55h - 14:00h | Stage: HOWS BARCELONA All Passes
Sep 6, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com
Ludhiana: Few places in the industrial city of Ludhiana offered people a lush green getaway like Sidhwan canal waterfront once did. For residents of Sarabha Nagar and nearby areas, it was once a place for walks and yoga sessions in the inviting greens. Today, the stretch lies desolate, with sand covering large swathes. Walkers have all but disappeared. The situation worsened after water supply lines were laid beneath the waterfront a couple of months ago as part of the surface water supply project. While the area was supposed to be restored after the work, residents say the damaged stretch has been left unattended. Ironically, the waterfront project won an award in Aug 2022 for its landscaping and beautification work along the Sidhwan Canal under the Smart City Mission. The award was conferred by the Smart Cities Council India. The Rs 5.2 crore project was aimed at improving the environment and green cover, creating social infrastructure and making optimum use of leftover land along the canal. Conceptualised and executed under the Smart City Mission, the project started on Aug 28, 2019, and was completed on Nov 30, 2020. It covered a 1,100-metre-long stretch, with a width of 20-22 metres. A BRS Nagar resident, Inderpal Singh, said, âThere was a time when special yoga sessions were held early in the morning and residents used to enjoy the morning vibes here. Now, things have changed. We can understand if water supply pipelines had to be laid, but the area should have been restored immediately afterwards.â He said while authorities wait for roads to settle after sewer or water supply works, restoring the waterfrontâs green cover should not require much time. He also claimed that residents now avoid the stretch, with only a few people visiting it, and recalled incidents of theft in the
Sep 6, 2026 · via timesofindia.indiatimes.com
| | | | | Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the 2026 Viet Nam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Hue city on September 6. | The forum, focusing on building a digital, green and sustainable future, was jointly organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, the Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam and the central city. It brought together representatives from 18 Japanese localities and more than 100 leading Japanese corporations and businesses. In his remarks, PM Le Minh Hung said after four decades of Doi moi (renewal), Viet Nam has become the world’s 32nd largest economy and one of the 15 largest trading nations, participated in 17 free trade agreements and connected with 60 major economies. Per capita GDP has increased nearly 50-fold compared with the beginning of the reform process. Against the backdrop of rapid and complex global changes, Viet Nam remains steadfast in maintaining stability to promote development and pursuing development to consolidate stability, he said. The country is determined to achieve double-digit economic growth during 2026-2030 while maintaining macroeconomic stability and promoting rapid, sustainable development based on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. | | | | | Prime Minister Le Minh Hung poses for a photo with delegates attending the 2026 Viet Nam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum in Hue city on September 6. | PM Le Minh Hung stressed that Viet Nam seeks to attract foreign investment projects featuring advanced technologies, knowledge, modern governance, research and development, high-quality human resources and substantive links with domestic enterprises. He proposed five orientations for future cooperation. First, Viet Nam and Japan should work to become partners in high-quality growth and strategic autonomy based on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, and promote cooperation models in digital technologies, AI, semiconductors, smart cities,
Sep 6, 2026 · via en.qdnd.vn
1The authors wish to inform readers that one of them was an engineer with the Shinsegea Group and professionally involved in the initial planning of the Hwaseong International Theme Park Project. While this position provided a privileged vantage point from which to observe the development of the new city and its technological and social infrastructure, this paper was subject to the duty of discretion and confidentiality clauses inherent in the employee’s role. Therefore, all information used in this article is publicly available, in order to avoid any conflict with the confidentiality obligations to which any employee working for a private operator is bound by law and contractual commitments. 2In a world facing complex urban challenges ranging from climate change and demographic shifts to infrastructural degradation, city planning stakeholders are increasingly expected to strike a balance between economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Designed to address these multi-dimensional issues, a new paradigm has gained international traction for urban development: that of sustainable smart city, which integrates digital innovation with long-term social and ecological goals (de Jong et al., 2015; Caragliu et al., 2011). This shift reflects a broader recognition that sustainability must not only be an environmental concern, but also a governance challenge and a matter of citizen empowerment. 3South Korea stands out as one of the early adopters of smart city strategies, beginning with its Ubiquitous City (U-City) model in the early 2000s. This model aimed to enhance administrative efficiency through ICT-based infrastructure and public service platforms. However, its supply-driven, infrastructure-centered nature revealed key limitations over time—especially in fostering citizen participation and adaptive urban governance (Kang et al., 2015). According to the 2017 “Act on the Promotion of Smart City Development and Industry”, a smart city in South Korea is defined as a sustainable urban environment built on integrated
Sep 6, 2026 · via journals.openedition.org
KUWAIT: Kuwait is participating in the 64th Executive Council meeting and 20th General Conference of the Arab Towns Organization, scheduled in Dhofar, Oman, Monday. Held under the theme "More Innovative and Sustainable Cities," the meetings are sponsored by Dhofar Governor Marwan bin Turki bin Mahmoud Al-Said, with participation from Arab cities and municipalities. The meetings will address key challenges facing Arab cities and ways to develop municipal work, strengthen cooperation, and exchange expertise and experiences. Kuwait's delegation includes Secretary-General of the Arab Towns Organization Bader Al-Askar, Director General of Kuwait Municipality Manal Al-Asfour, and several municipal officials. It also includes a representative of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate and Dr. Fay Bin Salama and Hadeel Maarefi from Hawalli Governorate. Kuwait's participation reflects its longstanding role in the Arab Towns Organization, established in 1967 and headquartered in Kuwait City as a specialized Arab platform for municipal affairs. The Executive Council meeting, held annually, will discuss the organization's programs, activities, and future priorities, while enhancing coordination among member cities. It will also address emerging municipal challenges, including urban planning, environmental protection, climate change, transport, water, waste management, and urban development. The 20th General Conference gains particular importance amid rapid changes facing cities, including urban expansion, population growth, infrastructure development, improved services, digital transformation, climate change, and environmental sustainability. The challenges require improved urban management and greater use of innovation and modern technologies to build more efficient, resilient, and future-ready cities. Held every three years, the conference continues a series of general conferences addressing the development and future of Arab cities. Kuwait hosted the 15th conference in 2010 under the theme "Knowledge Cities and the Future of Youth", and subsequently hosted the 17th conference in 2016.The conferences have evolved from focusing on knowledge, development, and services toward greater emphasis on sustainability, smart cities, digital transformation,
Sep 6, 2026 · via kuwaittimes.com
In 1980, when Shenzhen was established as a special economic zone, its GDP was 270 million yuan ($40 million) and its permanent population numbered fewer than 30,000. By 2025, the city's GDP had reached 3.87 trillion yuan and its population topped 20 million, a more than 14,000-fold increase in economic output. Experts discuss "Decoding the Shenzhen Miracle Code" during the Asia-Pacific Media Forum Shenzhen Sub-forum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, Sept. 4, 2026. [Photo/China.org.cn] Experts from China, Pakistan, Singapore and the United States discussed what drives the city and what its rise means for the broader Asia-Pacific region at the panel, titled "Decoding the Shenzhen Miracle Code," held Sept. 4 during the Shenzhen sub-forum of the Asia-Pacific Media Forum. Guo Renzhong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the Research Institute for Smart Cities at Shenzhen University, traced Shenzhen's smart city work back to the 1990s. He said the city received an award for its geographic information applications at the 2013 Geospatial World Forum in Rotterdam, showing that China had developed its own approach to urban geographic information systems. In 2024, Shenzhen won the City Award, the top honor of the World Smart City Awards, at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, chosen from 429 cities in 64 countries and regions. "Shenzhen's successful experience can serve as a reference for any city in the world," Guo said, adding that Shenzhen companies have already carried out smart city projects in Singapore, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Taylor Ogan, founder and CEO of Snow Bull Capital, moved his company from Boston to Shenzhen three and a half years ago. "Boston is a great city of thinkers," he said. "But Shenzhen is where thinkers become makers. That's a key difference." He noted that Silicon Valley
Sep 6, 2026 · via china.org.cn
Media leaders adopt Shenzhen Consensus to boost Asia-Pacific cooperation Asia More than 400 media representatives from over 40 countries and regions have adopted the Shenzhen Consensus, pledging to promote openness, innovation and digital transformation as drivers of prosperity and stronger cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. The consensus was unveiled yesterday (5 September) at the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF), held at the Qianhai International Convention Center in Shenzhen, China. The signatories committed to safeguarding the multilateral trading system and strengthening coverage of regional integration efforts, including the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and measures to stabilise industrial supply chains. Themed "Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action", the forum called for greater media cooperation, mutual trust and regional integration amid rapid digital transformation and growing communication challenges. The forum also serves as a prelude to the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which Shenzhen will host in November this year. "We believe that an informed society, supported by professional and responsible media, is an important foundation for inclusive development and constructive regional cooperation," said Prak Thaveak Amida, Under-Secretary of State at Cambodia's Ministry of Information. Cambodian officials urged the region's media organisations to uphold "truth over sensationalism, dialogue over division, and shared progress over narrow interests". Partnership programme launched At the opening ceremony, 16 founding organisations from China and other countries jointly established the Organising Committee of the Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Programme. The founding members include Xinhua News Agency, Malaysia's Bernama, Indonesia's Antara News Agency, Russia's TASS, Vietnam News Agency and Peru's Andina News Agency, among others. Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said the initiative would strengthen ties and strategic cooperation among news agencies in the region. "Through this participation, Bernama will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and
Sep 6, 2026 · via tbsnews.net
When Cities Think for Themselves: Agentic AI, Accountability, and Public Value
Agentic AI is redefining the relationship between digital technologies and urban and institutional systems, moving beyond decision support toward autonomous execution and coordination. Its adoption is transforming service delivery, infrastructure management, and operational models across both public and private sectors. With recent breakthroughs from leading technology innovators, cities and institutions now have the tools to turn this potential into real, measurable progress. As these systems become embedded in everyday processes, the challenge, and the opportunity, will be to deploy them responsibly at scale, ensuring safety, accountability, interoperability, and lasting public value. The path forward starts with deploying these technologies responsibly, building cities and institutions that are more resilient, efficient, and adaptive for the communities they serve.
Main Stage
Sep 6, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com
A photo exhibition and showcase of signature products from Vietnamese and Japanese localities opened in Hue on September 5, as part of the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum. On September 5, a space showcasing photos and signature products from Vietnamese and Japanese localities officially opened at the Song Huong Theater in Hue City. The event is part of the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum, themed “Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation: Shaping a Digital, Green and Sustainable Future – From Strategic Commitments to Concrete Action. It was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Hue City People's Committee and the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam on September 5-6. With 30 standard booths, the exhibition space features images and signature products from 45 provinces and cities in Vietnam and Japan, along with products from businesses from the two countries, expanding opportunities to connect with partners and promote investment, trade and economic development cooperation among localities. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, said the 2026 Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum brings together more than 700 delegates representing the Government, ministries, agencies, localities, organizations, associations and businesses. The main activities include an opening session; two thematic sessions on innovation, digital transformation, smart cities and the development of cultural industries linked to heritage preservation; and meetings and networking activities among governments, organizations and businesses from the two countries.
Sep 6, 2026 · via en.sggp.org.vn
※This article is a translated and partially edited version of an article published in January 2026 on “Green Hub in Asia,” operated by the Yokohama City International Bureau. It was produced by Harch Inc., which operates Circular Economy Hub, based on interviews with Yokohama City officials. In Yokohama, efforts to realise a “circular city” are now moving into their next phase. What is driving this momentum is not cutting-edge technology or ambitious targets alone. It is the trust built through dialogue among government, residents, and businesses that is moving the city forward. In the first instalment of this series, we introduced the historical and cultural context that formed the starting point for resource circulation, as well as the resource circulation initiatives that began with the “G30 Plan” (Yokohama’s landmark waste-reduction programme launched in 2003). How has the experience of G30 expanded into cross-sector collaboration and creative initiatives? In this article, drawing on interviews with the Yokohama City officials responsible for each programme, we introduce the cutting edge of Yokohama’s pursuit of a “circular city.” Turning the City’s Memory into Future Value: The Cultural Reuse of Historic Buildings When we think about the circular economy in an urban context, the resources that can be circulated are not limited to physical materials. Could “memory” and “time” also be passed on to the future? Under its philosophy of “city-building that makes the most of history,” Yokohama City preserves and activates historically significant buildings — such as Berrick Hall and the former Oka Family Long House Gate — as part of its parks, keeping their exteriors largely intact. Meanwhile, the Red Brick Warehouse and the Kishamichi Promenade (a former railway corridor including its bridges), which convey the scenery of the old port town, have been sensitively redeveloped with respect for their historical character into
Sep 6, 2026 · via cehub.jp
According to a recent LinkedIn post from Cato Networks, the company is highlighting an âAgentic AI Security Adoption Matrixâ developed by Guy Waizel, PhD, to categorize where autonomous AI systems can be deployed safely. The matrix, which has been accepted at the EU Smart Cities International Conference 2025 and published in the Smart Cities and Regional Development journal, emphasizes that autonomy scales fastest in environments where actions are constrained, monitored, and clearly accountable.
The post suggests that governance frameworks are presented not as barriers but as enablers of higher AI autonomy, particularly in âdigitally boundedâ domains such as customer service, software workflows, and security operations centers. It also argues that highâliability areas like healthcare, defense, and social care require more cautious adoption and stronger controls before broad deployment.
For investors, this positioning may indicate Cato Networksâ intent to align its security offerings with emerging agentic AI use cases in operationally controlled environments, where enterprise adoption appears to be accelerating. The academic recognition of the framework could enhance the companyâs credibility with regulators and enterprise buyers, potentially supporting demand for AIâdriven security solutions while signaling a measured approach to higherârisk sectors.
Sep 6, 2026 · via tipranks.com
More than 400 media representatives from over 40 countries and international organisations adopted a joint consensus on Saturday ( September 5, 2026) pledging to champion openness, innovation and digital transformation as drivers of prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, at the close of a two-day forum in this southern Chinese tech hub. The Shenzhen Consensus, unveiled at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Media Forum, commits signatories to safeguarding the multilateral trading system and reporting on regional integration efforts, including the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and the stabilisation of industrial supply chains, according to a statement released by the organisers. Sixteen founding organisations from China and abroad formed the organising committee of a new Asia-Pacific Media Partnership Programme on the sidelines of the event, which drew delegates from UN agencies and regional bodies. Participants said the 30-year-old Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum remained the region’s most influential economic mechanism and they backed efforts to align policies and share development experiences across member economies. The consensus also emphasised the role of media in promoting “digital, intelligent and green transformation”, with pledges to expand artificial intelligence applications in journalism and highlight best practices in clean energy and low-carbon construction. Attendees reaffirmed their commitment to “truthfulness, objectivity and fairness” in reporting and called for deeper cross-border media cooperation, including joint interview projects and cultural exchanges aimed at boosting tourism and youth engagement. In a nod to host China, the representatives said they had observed “first-hand progress” in technological innovation and industrial upgrading during visits to six cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and they supported development paths “suited to national conditions”. The state-run Xinhua News Agency launched a global multimedia programme on “Asia-Pacific development stories” in partnership with regional media outlets, while Shenzhen officials announced a separate media cooperation drive focused on
Sep 5, 2026 · via theclimatewatch.com