Dive Brief: - The Federal Railroad Administration proposed a new rule governing noise standards for trains operating at speeds exceeding 160 mph and a special approval process for trains operating above 220 mph. Existing regulations only cover trains operating up to 160 mph. - The agency is basing its upgraded noise standards on European Union regulations, an established standard that is largely consistent with U.S. standards. Some passenger trains in Italy, Spain, France and Germany run at speeds up to 224 mph. - The standardized rule would provide cost benefits to high-speed rail operators and project developers in the U.S. and is authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Dive Insight: While Amtrak Acela trains in the Northeast Corridor can reach speeds up to 160 mph, two high-speed rail projects underway in California and Nevada plan to operate 220 mph trains. At current speeds, mechanical and propulsion noise — such as tracks and locomotives — combine with some aerodynamic noise to create the total noise experienced as a train passes. However, above 160 mph, aerodynamic or wind noise dominates, according to the FRA. “One of the reasons we don’t have true high speed rail in the United States is because current rules disadvantage trains that generate most of their noise from sources other than their engines and rolling stock instead of approaching the issue holistically,” FRA Administrator David Fink said in a statement. “Updating this rule will remove a major obstacle railroads currently face when trying to operate high speed trains.” The FRA estimates the new rule could save high-speed rail developers $100 million over the next 30 years. The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Trump administration, canceled $4 billion in grants to the California High-Speed Rail Authority and ended support for a proposed Dallas-Houston high-speed rail
Aug 3, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Former Shell Exec Anna Mascolo Becomes New Vestas President Former Shell executive Anna Mascolo has been named President of Northern & Central Europe and Global Offshore at Vestas, taking over from Nils de Baar as the wind energy company continues to capitalise on demand for cleaner power. Anna joins Vestas from Shell, where she spent almost 20 years across two stints, sandwiched by a four-year period at Rolls-Royce SMR. From 2021, she focused on low-carbon energy solutions and went on to become Shell’s Executive Vice President for Low Carbon Solutions in July 2023. Anna's remit Anna will oversee Northern and Central Europe alongside the company’s global offshore business, two areas central to Europe’s push for secure and sustainable electricity supply. “I am excited to join the company at such an important time for the industry. Northern & Central Europe is a region with tremendous opportunities as countries continue to pursue ambitious climate and energy goals,” says Anna. “I look forward to joining my peers… and working with Vestas’ talented team, our customers and our partners to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions and create long-term value for all stakeholders.” She replaces Nils de Baar, who has worked at Vestas for 11 years, leading Northern and Central Europe since 2018 and the Global Offshore unit since January 2026. He is expected to depart in September after a handover period. “It has been a privilege to lead Northern & Central Europe and work alongside great colleagues, customers and partners,” says Nils. “Together, we have built a strong business and contributed significantly to the deployment of renewable energy across the region. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and confident that the region is well-positioned for continued success. “Anna is an outstanding leader with extensive experience across the energy value
Aug 3, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Abstract In the digital-economy era, can policies represented by the national big data comprehensive pilot zones and the smart city pilot program work in tandem to effectively foster urban green development? Using panel data for 251 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2006-2022 and a staggered DID model, this paper evaluates the multidimensional impacts of “digital-intelligent” policy collaboration on regional green transition. The findings are as follows: first, the dual-pilot policy significantly raises green total factor productivity in pilot cities, promotes local green transition, and generates marked green spatial spillovers; Second, the green co-empowerment effect of digital-intelligent policies is closely tied to regional characteristics and is further shaped by talent agglomeration and the strength of intellectual property protection; Third, mechanism analysis shows that the collaboration advances urban green development by improving energy consumption levels, enhancing digital technological innovation capacity, and strengthening industrial agglomeration; Fourth, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the empowering effect is more pronounced in regions with higher digital-economy development, stronger new-energy transitions, greater fiscal capacity, and service-oriented industrial structures; Fifth, further evidence shows that the empowering effect is strongest when green technological innovation surpasses a certain level and environmental regulation is of moderate intensity. In addition, compared with single pilots, dual pilots better promote urban green transition, and a sequencing strategy that implements “digital” before “intelligent” achieves superior outcomes. These results offer important guidance for local governments to coordinate multi-policy portfolios, harness synergistic policy effects, and accelerate economy-wide green transition. Similar content being viewed by others Subjects Acknowledgements This work is financially supported by the National Social Science Fund Project: Statistical Measurement, Formation Mechanisms, and Targeted Policy Research on Disruptive Innovation in the Digital Intelligence Era (25BTJ030). Ethics declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by
Aug 3, 2026 · via nature.com
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office announced that Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong has signed Decision No. 4714/QD-UBND, approving the city's Smart City Development Plan for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision extending to 2045. The plan places residents and businesses at the center of smart city development, with the goal of transforming urban governance through data-driven decision-making and digital technologies. It also seeks to enhance quality of life, accelerate the digital economy and promote sustainable growth. Under the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will develop a shared urban data platform, upgrade its Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), Digital Twin technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced data analytics to support urban management, forecasting, risk warning and operational optimization. The city will implement the plan in a coordinated manner, enhancing data sharing, safeguarding information security and protecting personal data. By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to be among the world's top 50 smart cities. It also targets becoming one of Vietnam's three national smart city operations centers by 2035 and reaching the highest level of maturity under the national Sustainable Smart City Criteria by 2045, while positioning itself as a leading science, technology and innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.sggp.org.vn
Local communities are often on the front lines in major emergencies and disasters. The ability for communities and states to effectively respond and recover from disasters depends largely on actions taken before the disaster. Proactive procurement is an essential component of emergency disaster preparedness. The benefits of early planning and effective procurement preparation will include responding to and mitigating the extreme damages of a disaster, restoring essential services and engaging in the recovery and reconstruction process. Every dollar counts during a time of need. Here are three guidelines to keep in mind to help stretch your agency’s budget through Amazon Business. 1. Create a workflow to make quick purchases When planning, you want to ensure that your team is purchasing items that align with your agency’s policies and not adding unauthorized items to the cart. Amazon Business online store allows departments that use tools like Guided Buying, a Business Prime feature, to create multiple workflows for separate budgets or approval needs, restrict certain items and automate the ordering process. Guided Buying takes the mystery out of shopping for work by providing clear answers to the question: What am I allowed to buy? Government purchase card administrators can set their accounts to default to these policy parameters, setting guardrails for cardholders to purchase within agency requirements and drive toward purchasing goals. Buyers can pick the recommended product based on agency preferences. This option appears at the top of the search making it quick to locate and purchase. 2. Fast and reliable shipping matters In a time of need, every second counts. Procuring items from Amazon Business offers benefits like Same Day shipping on eligible products. Manage your delivery preferences to receive your orders when it’s most convenient. Agencies can also consolidate all shipments to arrive on the day of their choice
Aug 3, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Amundi Asset Management: Delisting of 26 UCITS ETF Share Classes from London Stock Exchange Source: EQS | Delisting of 26 UCITS ETF Share Classes from Please note that Following a review, The last day of trading on The ETF and UCITS ETF Share Classes will not be liquidated within the scope of this Operation. Following the above-mentioned delisting of the relevant UCITS ETF Share Classes, ISIN, and Sub-Funds parameters will remain unchanged and at least one listing on another Prior to the delisting date, if you want to sell these UCITS ETF Share Classes before the last day of trading, you may do so on the current stock exchanges. Following the delisting date, you can continue to hold these UCITS ETF Share Classes but will no longer be able to sell those UCITS ETF Share Classes on the stock exchanges from which they will be delisted. Should you wish to sell your UCITS ETF Share Classes after the delisting date, you or your financial intermediary will need to transfer those UCITS ETF Shares Classes to a different exchange on which the ETF Share Class remain listed (as detailed in Appendix 1). If you choose not to sell these UCITSETF Share Classes before the delisting date, you may potentially incur higher trading costs when selling via another stock exchange or you may find that your financial intermediary may not readily offer trading on another stock exchange. Investors should seek their own professional advice as to the suitability of any of the options described above. Investors should note that the delisting of the affected UCITS ETF Share Classes and related actions as described above should not result in a taxable event. However, Investors in the UCITS ETF are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the effect of the delisting in light
Aug 3, 2026 · via markets.ft.com
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN member states and China in marking a milestone with the finalisation of the landmark agreement, the Ipoh Accord, during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing 2026 (ACMROCH 2026). In alignment with the objectives of the Ipoh Accord, Deputy Minister of Development Datin Seri Paduka Dr Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak delivered Brunei Darussalam's country statement, underscoring the nation's firm commitment, guided by Brunei Vision 2035, across four priority areas. These priority areas include affordable and quality housing for all by maintaining policies that provide subsidised land and infrastructure, while actively exploring cost-effective smart home designs, age-inclusive features for seniors and youth, and alternative financing models to accelerate housing delivery. Brunei is also focusing on resilient urban planning and climate adaptation by integrating resilience strategies into urban planning through eco-friendly standards, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation to ensure development remains balanced with the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage. The country is strengthening essential urban services through continuous efforts to upgrade core utilities such as water supply, road connectivity, drainage, waste management and energy systems to guarantee efficiency and comprehensive well-being for residents. It is also investing in smart and sustainable infrastructure by leveraging digital technologies and data-driven solutions to future-proof infrastructure in line with its smart city aspirations. The deputy minister also announced Brunei Darussalam's intention to host the fifth edition of ACMROCH in 2027, marking a historic chapter for the nation. It will be organised in conjunction with Visit Brunei Year 2027. The meeting, which concluded in Ipoh, Perak, on Saturday, was co-chaired by China and Malaysia. It was attended by ministers and delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. The roundtable, themed "Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, and
Aug 3, 2026 · via thestar.com.my
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs EVALUATIONS OF MEASURABLE OUTCOMES DELIVERED BY SCM प्रविष्टि तिथि: 03 AUG 2026 6:03PM by PIB Delhi NITI Aayog in its report titled ‘Evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Package 4 – Urban Transformation and Skill Development’ published in September 2025, has concluded that the Smart Cities Mission demonstrates strong alignment with national urban priorities and citizen needs, contributing significantly to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As per the report, the Mission has achieved a high project completion rate of 93% of 8,063 projects and 100% completion of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs), leading to measurable improvements in urban liveability, mobility, safety, and environmental outcomes. Under Smart Cities Mission (SCM), as reported by the States/UTs as on 31.03.2026, a total 8,064 projects amounting to ₹1,64,811 Cr were taken up out of which 7,790 projects (97% of total projects undertaken) worth ₹1,56,257 Cr have been completed. The key achievements and transformative outcomes of SCM inter-alia includes: - - 100 ICCCs established for functions spanning crime monitoring, citizen safety, transport, waste, water, and disaster management - Public Safety and Security: More than 83,000 CCTV surveillance cameras installed - Vibrant Public Spaces:1,300+ public-space projects completed, along with conservation of 484 heritage sites and market redevelopments in 58 cities - Water Supply:17,000+ km of water supply network monitored via SCADA, reducing leakages and non-revenue water - Solid Waste Management: ICCCs monitor RFID-enabled waste-collection vehicles, improving routes and collection efficiency - Mobility:1,700+ km of smart, accessible roads built, with ITMS deployed and monitored via ICCCs for better traffic management - Public Private Partnership (PPP): 194 projects worth ₹9,190 Cr with have been completed. Post closure of SCM on 31.03.2025, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued Advisory No. 27 dated 10th June, 2025 to all States/
Aug 3, 2026 · via pib.gov.in
Australia’s AI transformation is entering a new phase. The conversation is no longer about experimenting with chatbots or testing isolated proof-of-concepts. Instead, organisations are beginning to ask a far more important question: how do we turn artificial intelligence into measurable business outcomes? That challenge was at the centre of a panel discussion featuring David McKeering, Executive Managing Director, NTT DATA ANZ, Vanessa Van Beek, Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Fortescue, and Natalie Piucco, Google Field CTO for Applied AI, moderated by Fear & Greed co-host Sean Aylmer during the launch of NTT DATA’s AI Innovation Centre in Sydney. While the panellists represented enterprise technology, mining and hyperscale cloud services, a common message emerged for smart cities, critical infrastructure operators and local government leaders alike: successful AI adoption will depend less on the technology itself and more on collaboration, governance, trust and courageous leadership. David McKeering said organisations are now recognising that innovation alone is no longer sufficient. “Innovation in isolation is fine,” he observed, “but if you can do innovation with true collaboration and having that diversity of thought, you’ll get a much better outcome.” For Australia’s growing smart cities ecosystem, that observation is particularly relevant. Modern cities increasingly rely on interconnected transport systems, utilities, digital services, emergency management and public infrastructure that span multiple organisations and jurisdictions. No single council, technology provider or government agency possesses every capability required to successfully deploy AI at scale. Instead, McKeering argued that solving complex problems requires bringing together industry, academia, government and technology partners to create genuine collaboration rather than isolated innovation. Fortescue offered a practical example of what mature AI adoption already looks like. Vanessa Van Beek explained that AI has become embedded across the company’s mining operations, corporate functions, project delivery and decarbonisation strategy. Rather than treating AI as
Aug 3, 2026 · via australiancybersecuritymagazine.com.au
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung recently chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies to discuss the establishment of the Hung Yen High-Tech Park. During the session, the Deputy PM reached a consensus on the proposal to be submitted to the Prime Minister for a final decision on the park's establishment. He also mandated the Hung Yen Provincial People’s Committee to issue the park's operational regulations, ensuring full legal compliance and accelerating the implementation process. The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to lead the drafting of the establishment decision. The ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Provincial People’s Committee, and the Office of the Government to finalize the documentation and submit it to the Prime Minister for signing by August 5, 2026. According to a report from the Government Office, the dossier submitted by the Ministry of Science and Technology has incorporated feedback from relevant ministries and is essentially finalized. Following a comprehensive review, the Government Office expressed its support for the proposal to establish the high-tech park. As outlined by the Hung Yen Provincial People’s Committee, the high-tech park is slated for construction in Hoan Long and Viet Yen communes, covering an area of approximately 496.1 ha. The location is strategically chosen to leverage high-quality human resources from Hanoi while strengthening connections with the production and logistics chains of the Northern Key Economic Zone, which includes Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho, and Ninh Binh provinces.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vneconomy.vn
Ho Chi Minh City has officially approved a smart city development scheme for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision extending to 2045. According to the scheme, the southern city aims to develop its smart city infrastructure based on a model of green growth and data-driven governance. By leveraging digital technology, the city intends to enhance the efficiency of state management, improve the quality of urban services, and boost both the residents' quality of life and the city’s overall competitiveness. By 2030, the city targets a position among the top 50 smartest cities in the world. The scheme identifies citizens as the centerpiece of this development process, aiming to provide urban services that are transparent, convenient, and safe, while actively encouraging community participation. By 2035, the city strives to become one of three national smart city operation centers, playing a key role in coordinating data, technology, and innovation. By 2045, it aims to achieve the highest level of smart city maturity according to the National Sustainable Smart City Criteria. Simultaneously, it seeks to establish itself as a leading science, technology, and innovation hub within the Asia-Pacific region. The scheme outlines nine fundamental principles for smart city development: ensuring legal compliance and unified management; placing citizens and businesses at the center; utilizing data as the foundation for development; ensuring interoperability, integration, and shared resources; guaranteeing information security and privacy rights; emphasizing the responsibility of leadership; implementing projects in a safe and controlled manner; following a roadmap aligned with available resources; and maintaining openness and flexibility while avoiding technological dependence.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vneconomy.vn
According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. By 2030, Bac Ninh plans to establish a data-driven smart governance model, operate an integrated smart city operations centre (IOC), and incorporate City Information Modelling (CIM) into urban planning, with the long-term goal of developing a digital twin of the province. The province will prioritise digital infrastructure and smart services in healthcare, environmental management, water supply and wastewater treatment, waste management, transport and other essential sectors, while ensuring interoperability, open APIs and cybersecurity by design. To achieve its target, Bac Ninh will establish a provincial smart city coordination council, introduce a regulatory sandbox for innovative technologies, and accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, including 5G, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). The province also plans to expand smart applications in transport, energy, public lighting, water management, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and smart industrial parks. Bac Ninh is already among Viet Nam's leading localities in smart city development. It has established an integrated smart operations centre, deployed smart urban management solutions in key urban areas, and achieved 100% mobile coverage, with 5G services reaching more than 92% of the population. The province has also launched pilot IOC scenarios for real-time governance across sectors including public administration, healthcare, education, transport and socio-economic management.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.nhandan.vn
Bac Ninh targets world's top 50 smart cities by 2030 According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. Monday, August 03, 2026 06:29 A view of Kinh Bac Ward in Bac Ninh Province. (Photo: VNA) Bac Ninh (VNA) – The northern province of Bac Ninh aims to rank among the world's top 50 smart cities by 2030, using data and digital transformation as the foundation for sustainable urban development, contributing to its effort to become a centrally governed city. According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. By 2030, Bac Ninh plans to establish a data-driven smart governance model, operate an integrated smart city operations centre (IOC), and incorporate City Information Modelling (CIM) into urban planning, with the long-term goal of developing a digital twin of the province. The province will prioritise digital infrastructure and smart services in healthcare, environmental management, water supply and wastewater treatment, waste management, transport and other essential sectors, while ensuring interoperability, open APIs and cybersecurity by design. To achieve its target, Bac Ninh will establish a provincial smart city coordination council, introduce a regulatory sandbox for innovative technologies, and accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, including 5G, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). The province also plans to expand smart applications in transport, energy, public lighting, water management, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and smart industrial parks. Bac Ninh is already among Vietnam's leading localities in smart city development. It has established an integrated smart operations
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vietnamplus.vn
The public University of Macau (UM) launched five new faculties and two research institutes on Saturday as part of a major restructuring aimed at strengthening science and technology education, supporting Macau’s appropriate economic diversification, and expanding the university’s role in innovation and research, according to a UM statement issued that day. The new academic units, which commenced operations on Saturday, comprise the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Information Science and Computing, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Design, the Institute of Smart City Technologies, and the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Sciences, the statement said. According to the statement, the restructuring is intended to bolster UM’s science and technology capabilities, support educational integration between Macau and Hengqin, and enhance talent development in line with national and regional development strategies. UM Rector Yonghua Song (also known as Song Yonghua) said that the restructuring aligns with the country’s goal of becoming a science and technology powerhouse, facilitates the integrated development of education, technology and talent in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and supports Macau’s economic diversification, the statement noted. Song added that the restructuring followed two years of research, expert consultation and approval processes, allowing the university to consolidate its teaching and research resources while strengthening its science and technology education and cutting-edge research, the statement said. The statement underlined that the five new faculties will establish a sci-tech framework spanning basic sciences, engineering, information technology, medicine and design, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across medicine, engineering, information science and intelligent technologies. The university also plans to expand cooperation with leading international institutions through joint talent cultivation, academic exchanges and research collaboration, while further internationalising its student body, faculty and academic programmes, the statement pointed out. It added that the two new research institutes
Aug 3, 2026 · via macaupostdaily.com
Letter: A smart surface solution for our overheating cities
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Aug 3, 2026 · via ft.com
Trinidad and Tobago and Israel have started discussions about cybersecurity and smart cities, among other possible projects. T&T last week received its first visit by a head of Israel’s International Development Cooperation Agency, during which high-level talks with Government officials centred on partnerships to develop cyber-security, smart cities, modern agriculture and healthcare. According to director general of MASHAV, Ambassador Eynat Shlein, T&T was identified as a key partner in regional development and both countries have renewed a commitment to further expand on long-standing bilateral relations. Following speculation on what was discussed by Government officials and the Israeli diplomatic team last Tuesday and Wednesday, Shlein emphasised that the agenda being pursued by MASHAV was primarily driven by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which T&T is a signatory. In a telephone interview last Tuesday, Shlein said meetings were held with Government officials, including ministers, in areas of national security, planning and development, technology, public health care, foreign affairs, infrastructure, education and agriculture. Shlein said discussions focused on local and regional security, food security and climate resilience, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Shlein said Israel has long been regarded as a “start-up” state and maintains this level of innovation today. She said it was hoped the high-level meetings would lead to partnerships that encourage the development of government platforms that support innovation. MASHAV will be reaching out to T&T after the meetings to see whether there is potential for partnerships. The Ambassador said the MASHAV mandate includes formulating frameworks that accommodate such partnerships. Shlein pointed out MASHAV’s emphasis on capacity building, through which over 350,000 global graduates (including some from T&T) have participated in programmes in various fields. Noting that her visit marked the first to T&T by a head of MASHAV, Shlein said the purpose of this
Aug 2, 2026 · via trinidadexpress.com
Appointment of the Associate Provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship August 2, 2026 Dear AUC Community, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ayman Ismail as associate provost for innovation and entrepreneurship, effective August 1, 2026. This appointment follows an extensive international search during which we were fortunate to consider a number of highly qualified candidates. Ismail has been a member of The American University in Cairo family for more than 35 years. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering, with a minor in computer science, in 1995 and his master of business administration in 1997 from AUC. He later received a master's degree in city planning and a PhD in international economic development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following distinguished service with organizations including McKinsey and Company and the World Bank, Ismail returned to AUC in 2011 as assistant professor and Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship. Since then, he has held several leadership positions, including founding director of the AUC Venture Lab, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and founding director of the AUC Innovation Hub. The Office of the Associate Provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a newly established unit dedicated to advancing innovation, entrepreneurship and research impact across the University. The office will promote collaboration among researchers, students, industry partners and external stakeholders, both locally and globally. Its mission is to enhance AUC's contribution to society by fostering industry partnerships, supporting knowledge translation and advancing entrepreneurial activities across a broad range of fields, including sustainability, climate and water, energy, urban studies and smart cities, biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence and data-driven research. In this role, Ismail will lead and manage the Technology, Research and Innovation Laboratory, known as TRI-LAB, and will be responsible for: - Establishing and leading TRI-LAB as AUC's central hub
Aug 2, 2026 · via aucegypt.edu
From heat-reflecting pavements and solar-powered shade canopies to rooftop farms, augmented reality heritage trails and neighbourhood recycling hubs, municipal leaders are championing a new generation of smart urban projects aimed at making Bahrain’s cities cooler, greener and more sustainable. The proposals, which blend environmental innovation with community development, seek to address rising temperatures, strengthen food security, reduce waste, boost tourism and enhance residents’ quality of life. The initiatives are now being developed by relevant council committees ahead of an extraordinary municipal term later this year, following an order by His Majesty King Hamad to extend the councils’ tenure due to regional circumstances. Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said Bahrain’s future cities should embrace technology without ‘losing their human character’. Mr Tarradah “Smart cities are not simply about installing technology,” he told the GDN. “They are about creating public spaces that are more comfortable, sustainable and enjoyable for everyone.” He said introducing heat-reflective pavements and modern shade canopies along pedestrian walkways could help reduce the urban heat island effect, making walking and cycling more practical even during the hottest months. Comparison between conventional and heat-reflecting pavements “Combining shaded public spaces with solar-powered structures that provide lighting and phone-charging stations would transform our parks and plazas into vibrant community destinations,” he added. Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar believes Bahrain’s rich history can also benefit from modern innovation. Mr Al Naar “Muharraq’s heritage deserves to be experienced in new and exciting ways,” he said. “Augmented reality walking trails could allow visitors to see historical landmarks come alive through digital stories, three-dimensional reconstructions and interactive guides without altering the historic fabric of our neighbourhoods.” He said such initiatives would strengthen cultural tourism while creating unique educational experiences for younger generations. Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif called for greater use of
Aug 2, 2026 · via gdnonline.com
Provincial Urban Planners Review Tehran Smart City Projects EghtesadOnline: Urban planners and managers from Fars, East Azarbaijan, Qom, Isfahan, and Khorasan Razavi provinces were in Tehran on Thursday and reviewed projects that seek to transform the capital into a smart city. Tehran Municipality Information and Communication Technology Organization took the visitors on a four-hour tour of city, tmicto.tehran.ir reported. Tehran ICT Organization Chief Mohammad Farjoud, who headed the tour, emphasized the need and role of urban informatics in transforming metropolises into smart cities. Urban informatics is the study of people creating, applying and using information and communication technology and data in the context of cities and urban environments, according to Financial Tribune. Farjoud said, “Everyday, over 10 terabytes of data is harvested from sensors and monitoring devices across Tehran. Data is stored in 222 physical and 1,310 virtual servers owned by the municipality.” Following the municipality’s open data approach, startups and local technology firms are to be provided with access to the information, he said. “As per reforms to TM policies, instead of merely regulating startups, the municipality will also support the fledgling firms.” Facilities, Services The representatives also visited Tehran’s urban data center at the ICT Organization and Tehran Digital Observatory. Located on the premises of Milad Tower, the observatory includes a smart interactive 3D model of Tehran, along with real-time maps of the sprawling capital’s traffic and air pollution. Data from air population censors, traffic monitoring systems and water distribution network is available in the center. Dock-less bike-sharing service stations were also introduced to the visitors. Developed by a local startup 'BDOOD' (pronounced ‘BEE-DUDE’, literally meaning ‘zero-emission’), the smart bike rental platform was launched in two Tehran districts in December. Using eco-friendly and sustainable technology and to enhance urban transport, BDOOD is an affordable service, seeking to promote
Aug 2, 2026 · via eghtesadonline.com
APEKSI attended the 2026 Asia Africa Festival (AAF) held on July 11-12, 2026, in Bandung. This commitment demonstrates its support for the festival’s main theme, Unity in Diversity, Rising in Harmony. The spirit of unity in diversity and rising in harmony is not merely a slogan, but a solid foundation for building strong collaboration between city governments at the national and international levels.
Aug 2, 2026 · via apeksi.id