How do you design a city that learns from people? Imagine a city that learns from the people who live within it. The best smart cities listen to how people move, what they need, where systems fall short and what makes everyday life easier. “Digital technologies are giving planners richer insight into how places are actually experienced,” explains Katie. “Combined with more accessible tools for community engagement, the insights make it possible to shape cities in collaboration with people.” That’s where good masterplanning starts. Big data is a powerful catalyst for better decisions. From movement patterns and environmental monitoring to public sentiment and service usage, granular data reveals how cities truly function. When this insight is paired with lived experience, local insight and on-the-ground observation, planning decisions shift from assumption-driven to evidence-led, improving outcomes at both the city and building scale. None of this works without trust. “If data isn’t transparent or handled responsibly, it won’t be trusted. Ethical governance must be embedded from the beginning,” says Katie. “Cities must be clear about what data is collected, how it’s used and who benefits. Used responsibly, artificial intelligence doesn’t replace human-centered design, it strengthens it.” Start with the outcome that matters most For Katie, technology must always serve a purpose, instead of innovation for its own sake. Katie focuses on where technology can deliver the greatest real-world impact. Sometimes that means starting with the fundamentals: sensors that improve energy performance, digital wayfinding that reduces friction in complex spaces or apps that connect people to local services. In other cases, it means supporting clients to look further ahead — shaping masterplans that can adapt to emerging technologies such as autonomous mobility or advanced infrastructure systems. Katie acts as an integrator, working across disciplines to embed digital services into broader strategies, masterplans and
Jul 21, 2026 · via jacobs.com
The Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress will take place from 3-5 November 2026 in Barcelona, serving as a global meeting point for leaders driving the sustainable transformation of the ocean economy. Hosted by the City of Barcelona, with the Port of Barcelona as Global Partner and organisations such as the World Ocean Council and OCEANOVATION as Strategic Partners, the Congress brings together policymakers, industry, investors, innovators, and scientists to accelerate impact across all blue economy sectors. A Platform for Ocean Innovation and Real-World Impact Tomorrow.Blue Economy explores how to scale solutions that support climate resilience, economic renewal, and healthy marine ecosystems - from ports and shipping to blue food, biodiversity, tourism, finance, and ocean data. Co‑located with the Smart City Expo World Congress, it creates a unique bridge between the ocean economy, urban transformation, and global climate action. Flagship Events The 2026 edition features three flagship events, each recognised internationally as a reference point for ocean innovation: - Smart Ports: Piers of the Future – Showcasing next‑generation port innovations in decarbonisation, automation, digitalisation, and port‑city integration. - Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) – A premier forum convening high‑level industry, policy, and sustainability leaders to advance regenerative ocean industries. - Global Blue Finance Summit – BlueFIN – Connecting investors with scalable opportunities in blue innovation, biodiversity, restoration, and resilient infrastructure. Alongside these, the Ocean Innovation Hub provides a vibrant platform for breakthrough ocean‑tech startups and early‑stage innovators. Tomorrow.Blue Economy offers: - Global exposure to decisionmakers, investors, and industry leaders shaping the maritime, climate, and coastal innovation landscape. - Cross‑sector collaboration at the intersection of shipping, marine energy, aquaculture, ocean monitoring, nature‑tech, and blue finance. - Impact‑driven programming, moving from ideas to large‑scale implementation through partnerships, investment, and evidence‑based solutions. - Access to 25,000+ attendees and 850+ exhibitors participating in the broader Smart City
Jul 21, 2026 · via ec.europa.eu
First, the internet and e-commerce revolution gave birth to e-government. Now, it’s artificial intelligence, which promises to be even more transformative. With the central government’s full support, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is rapidly transforming its economy with a series of accelerated digital programs. At the forefront are AI and blockchain-driven financial technology. As the SAR government moves full steam ahead, private firms and research universities are being supported and funded to innovate with new products, services, and business models. The ultimate goal is to create new opportunities and careers while boosting productivity for local businesses and workers alike. These include utilizing robots for public services. Road cleaning and garbage disposal are especially suited for such robotic automation. Such government-led initiatives include establishing AI governance frameworks, building infrastructure, and accelerating digital adoption in public services and finance. The AI Efficacy Enhancement Team is tasked, as might be supposed, to boost government efficiency; and the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute was set up in March. Under the AI+ Initiative, Hong Kong is rapidly being integrated with tech development across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This is to foster a digital industry cluster and support the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). Meanwhile, the government has also utilized digital tokens for green bonds, utilizing the digital renminbi, or e-CNY, and e-HKD. The SAR signed a memorandum of understanding in April with the Cyberspace Administration of China, the nation’s top internet regulator, to promote the digital economy. Hong Kong will become not only a “smart” city but also a streamlined one, marked by the absence of service disruptions. It’s less about making the city futuristic-looking and more about a superadaptive, connected city equipped to identify and address problems and spot opportunities quickly. In the past, governments built roads and waterways
Jul 21, 2026 · via chinadailyasia.com
Rachel McCleery is the executive director for SAFE's Coalition for Reimagined Mobility, which supports accelerating real-world deployment of secure and resilient U.S. transportation systems. SAFE is a non-partisan, nonprofit policy think tank focused on the intersection of national security with energy, transportation and supply chain resilience. For American cities, the World Cup was more than a sporting event. It was a national stress test. Across the country, host cities moved unprecedented numbers of fans through streets, sidewalks, highways, stadium districts and downtown corridors, often under intense time pressure and global scrutiny. The result could have been paralysis. But in many places, it was experimentation. Technologies and systems that had long been stuck in pilot programs, planning documents or procurement limbo suddenly became real. Smart traffic signals, real-time data sharing, lidar-enabled traffic monitoring, new shuttle networks and tournament-specific transit systems moved from “someday” to “game day.” Innovative digital infrastructure solutions for transportation are here. In many cases, these solutions are faster, better and cheaper than building new physical infrastructure. The question now is whether we treat these innovations as temporary World Cup fixes or as the beginning of a smarter, safer and more efficient transportation future. In Arlington, Texas, traffic engineers used the World Cup as an opportunity to expand smart signaling to reduce congestion after a successful pilot program. The city deployed the AI-powered platform NoTraffic, an Israeli-developed radar and livestream video detection system that differentiates between vehicle types, cyclists and pedestrians, automatically adjusting signal timing in real time. The $600,000 investment, covering about 30 intersections in the Entertainment District around AT&T Stadium, came after a 2023 pilot triggered by a World Series parade that drew three to four times the crowd. Kansas City, Missouri, which lacks the direct transit infrastructure of coastal host cities, built a new tournament-specific bus
Jul 21, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
The launch brings together 13 Mission Cities and their twin partners in a year-long effort to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality. The fifth cohort of the Twinning Learning Programme, unveiled on 20 July, links 16 Mission cities with 13 twin cities across 11 partnerships spanning Europe. The initiative is designed to help cities share practical solutions, exchange expertise and turn climate ambitions into tangible action as the EU works towards its goal of climate-neutral cities by 2050. Among the new partnerships are Izmir and Sofia with Cascais, Dortmund with Gdynia and Issy-les-Moulineaux, Istanbul and Athens with Prague, and The Hague and Sønderborg with Ghent. Other pairings connect cities from Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Croatia, Latvia and beyond in a growing network of climate collaboration. The programme is built around practical learning. Twin cities will bring experience from EU-funded projects covering areas such as clean energy, sustainable mobility, nature-based solutions and citizen engagement. Mission cities, meanwhile, will share lessons from implementing Climate City Contracts and delivering city-wide decarbonisation strategies. Over the next 12 months, participating cities will take part in online exchanges, study visits and joint planning sessions. The aim is to develop actionable roadmaps that can be adapted locally and scaled across Europe. Since launching in 2023, the Twinning Learning Programme has connected more than 200 cities, helping spread successful climate solutions beyond the Mission’s core group of pioneering urban centres. The latest cohort further strengthens that network, reinforcing the idea that Europe’s path to climate neutrality will be driven not only by innovation, but by cities learning directly from one another. Source: European Commission. Author: ISEP-Transform News Team
Jul 21, 2026 · via isepglobal.org
Dive Brief: - Experts see little hope that the Senate will pass multiyear surface transportation legislation before the current act that funds highways and public transit expires on Sept. 30. - Among the hurdles facing legislators are the proposed annual federal registration fees on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, the need to extend the fuel taxes that support the Highway Trust Fund and the likely need to transfer at least $150 billion from the general fund to keep the HTF solvent over the next five years, Eno Center for Transportation Senior Fellow Jeff Davis said during a July 14 Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure webinar. - While the bill passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, other House and Senate committees have authority over different aspects of the legislation, the panelists explained. The Senate has yet to propose a bill, Bipartisan Policy Center Managing Director of Housing and Infrastructure Andy Winkler said during the webinar. Dive Insight: “We're just running out of time before we get closer and closer to the election,” Winkler said. The House begins its summer recess next week, and the Senate is scheduled to be out from Aug. 8 to Sept. 13. That’s a good time for county leaders to meet with their senators and representatives, National Association of Counties Chief Government Affairs Officer Eryn Hurley said on the webinar. “What we're telling county leaders and our membership is, don't stop advocating,” she said. Especially on the Senate side, “there is a real window where county input can actually help shape whatever the starting text may pan out to be, instead of ultimately reacting to something that's already locked in.” The panelists agreed that the likely outcome would be an extension of three months to a year of the current law. “There's an incentive for
Jul 21, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced that it will launch a pilot Model Context Protocol (MCP) service, the first MCP of its kind offered by a public data provider. Imagine asking: “How crowded is Myeong-dong right now?”, “Is today a good day to visit the Hangang River?”, “What festivals are taking place in Seoul today?” Soon, when you ask questions like these, you’ll receive answers based on Seoul’s real-time public data rather than potentially outdated information found online. The MCP service will provide access to Seoul Open Data Portal, one of the city’s flagship public datasets. The dataset delivers real-time information on 121 major locations across Seoul, including crowd density, public transportation, weather, and cultural events (updated every five minutes). The pilot service will be available to the first 100 applicants through PlayMCP, Kakao’s MCP platform. Approved participants will receive an MCP authentication key along with a user guide. Through this initiative, Seoul expects AI applications to make better use of real-time city data, enabling a wide range of AI-powered services, including real-time tourism recommendations, crowd density guidance, commercial district analysis, and event information. ○ Website: https://data.seoul.go.kr/SeoulRtd | Key Service Details | | |---|---| | 1. Real-Time Crowd Density Four crowd density levels (Crowded, Moderately Crowded, Normal, and Uncrowded) for 121 major locations across Seoul. | 6. Environmental Conditions Recommended actions based on weather advisories and other environmental factors, including temperature, heat index/wind chill, air quality, UV index, and fine dust levels (e.g., limit outdoor activities, wear a mask, use public transportation). | | 2. Real-Time Population Trends and Forecasts AI-powered forecasts of expected population and crowd densities for the next 1–12 hours. | 7. Real-Time Public Transit Ridership Bus and subway boarding and alighting data from the past 5 to 30 minutes. | | 3. Crowd Density Hotspots Heat
Jul 21, 2026 · via english.seoul.go.kr
Alicante ranks among the most advanced smart cities in Spain, according to a report by Red.es. The study analyzes the digital transformation of 65 Spanish municipalities and territories, as well as the implementation of technological solutions in urban management. The entity, attached to the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service, highlights Alicante's progress in strategic planning, regulations, digital skills, recognitions and participation in national and international networks. The analysis considers the city a leader in four of the six dimensions evaluated: sustainability, mobility, governance, and economy. It also ranks it as advanced in quality of life and citizenship. The Councillor for Innovation, Antonio Peral, pointed out that these results "are the fruit of a well-articulated strategy and the City Council's continuous commitment to incorporating technology and innovation into urban development." Alicante strengthens its smart city strategy The report highlights the Smart City Alicante 2.0 Plan as one of the main instruments for urban modernization. This strategy incorporates technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G networks, and the Internet of Things. Red.es also focuses on the AL21 virtual assistant. This tool facilitates the resolution of queries, helps with municipal procedures, and allows for anticipating certain citizen needs. The digital strategy aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Alicante 2030 Urban Agenda. Among its priorities are urban data management, efficient information processing, and the development of technologies that support decision-making. It also addresses the creation of legal frameworks that facilitate data exchange between administrations and entities. The goal is to improve public services and move towards more efficient municipal management. Peral highlighted that "Alicante has been able to use technology to transform its public management, aligning itself with the objectives of the Next Generation EU Funds and managing to place the city at the forefront of the use of technology." Energy
Jul 20, 2026 · via diariodealicante.net
OECD sets out smarter way for cities to borrow ideas 20 July 2026 by Jonathan Andrews Cities looking to accelerate AI deployment, digital transformation and new mobility initiatives should spend less time searching for original ideas and more time strengthening how they adopt proven solutions from elsewhere, according to a new OECD toolkit. The report, A toolkit for adopting ideas from other cities, argues that many municipalities have become adept at spotting innovative projects but struggle to embed them locally. Of the 76 cities surveyed across 43 countries, 79 percent had adopted, or attempted to adopt, an idea from another city, yet fewer than half (42 percent) had fully implemented it. Rather than seeing this as evidence that cities need more innovation, the OECD says it reflects the absence of structured approaches to policy adoption and the continued reliance on ad hoc processes. The toolkit sets out a three-stage framework focused on creating the conditions for learning from other cities, assessing which ideas to pursue and improving how they are adapted and implemented. One of the report’s more striking findings is that successful innovation is not necessarily determined by financial resources. Instead, it argues that “successful ‘adopter cities’ are not necessarily those with greater resources, but those that are more deliberate in how they organise learning processes.” To build that capability, the OECD recommends embedding innovation into day-to-day government rather than relying on individual champions. It encourages municipalities to “empower staff to identify and experiment with ideas from elsewhere”, anchor adoption efforts in political and strategic priorities, engage with city networks and introduce clear responsibilities so idea adoption becomes part of everyday practice. The report also challenges cities to look beyond award-winning projects and conference presentations when evaluating external ideas. It argues that success stories often lack the information needed
Jul 20, 2026 · via cities-today.com
STATETECH: Carmel invested in high-performance networking to revitalize everything from public Wi-Fi to public safety operations. What capabilities has the city gained? CUSIMANO: A modern, high-performance network gives us significantly greater visibility, reliability and flexibility across city operations. For public safety, first responders have faster, more dependable access to data, video and communications that improve situational awareness and coordination. Our public Wi-Fi in key community spaces makes it easier for residents and visitors to stay connected. Internally, city staff benefit from improved collaboration, faster access to cloud applications and more efficient delivery of digital services. The network also supports connected technologies such as security cameras, intelligent traffic systems, environmental sensors and other smart city applications that rely on consistent, low-latency connectivity. STATETECH: Large community events place unique demands on municipal technology systems. How does Carmel’s network infrastructure help support those experiences? CUSIMANO: Major events create spikes in connectivity needs for both the public and city operations. Our network allows us to scale resources while maintaining reliable communications for public safety personnel, event staff and municipal departments. It also supports temporary Wi-Fi deployments, mobile command centers, security cameras, digital signage and real-time monitoring of event operations. The result is better coordination behind the scenes while providing visitors with a more connected and enjoyable experience. Reliable infrastructure also allows us to respond more quickly if conditions change during an event. READ MORE: Explore how real-time crime centers use surveillance. STATETECH: As local governments explore AI and other emerging technologies, what role does a strong, reliable network foundation play? CUSIMANO: AI and other advanced technologies are only as effective as the infrastructure supporting them. High-quality networking enables secure movement of data between devices, applications, cloud platforms and users while providing the performance needed for real-time analytics and automation. Whether it’s AI-assisted traffic management,
Jul 20, 2026 · via statetechmagazine.com
A new round of the EU’s Twinning Learning Programme has launched, pairing 16 “Mission cities” with 13 “twin cities” in 11 partnerships for a year-long collaboration. The fifth cohort is part of the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, with participating cities set to work together over the next 12 months through regular online exchanges and two study visits, the European Commission announced on Monday. The city partnerships include Izmir and Sofia with Cascais; Dortmund with Gdynia and Issy-les-Moulineaux; Miskolc and Zagreb with Matosinhos; Istanbul and Athens with Prague; and Turku and Porto with Aalborg. Other pairings are Riga with Kifissia; The Hague and Sønderborg with Ghent; Aarhus with Hamburg; Gabrovo with Rethymno; Lappeenranta with Maribor; and Vitoria-Gasteiz with Barreiro and Bodrum. The programme is designed around sharing practical solutions between cities, with twin cities bringing approaches tested in their own EU-funded projects in areas including energy, mobility, nature-based solutions and citizen engagement. Mission cities, meanwhile, share experience from implementing Climate City Contracts — plans that set out commitments, actions and investment needs for cutting emissions at city level — as well as from developing wider climate strategies. How the programme fits into the wider EU cities mission More than 200 cities across Europe have taken part since the Twinning Learning Programme began in 2023, the Commission pointed out. The wider EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities was launched by the European Commission in September 2021 and includes 112 selected cities — 100 from the EU and 12 from Horizon Europe-associated countries. Climate City Contracts are reviewed by the European Commission with input from the European Investment Bank and the Joint Research Centre, and 107 cities have received an “EU Mission Label” linked to the process. NetZeroCities, described as a consortium of 34 partners from 27 European countries, manages the
Jul 20, 2026 · via brusselstimes.com
Tokayev calls for global guidelines for AI development & ethics A roundup of developments relevant for the Silk Seven-Plus initiative. Speaking at a recent global conference in Shanghai, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev touted the Central Asian nation as being perfectly positioned to become a “dynamic center” of technological connectivity and digital trade. "Energy reserves, the presence of deposits of various critical minerals, modern transport corridors and rapidly developing digital infrastructure create new opportunities for combining markets, technologies and innovation ecosystems,” Tokayev stated. “The digital transformation is one of the main directions of our national development strategy.” Tokayev asserted that Kazakhstan’s new constitution, which went into effect in July, can act as a catalyst for responsible development of artificial intelligence capabilities. He also pointed to a host of measures adopted so far this year, including a law on AI and digital development, to speed AI development. A digital platform, dubbed Smart City, is being tested in Astana, and will eventually be rolled out in other Kazakh cities, Tokayev said. He called for the formation of a permanent expert council to develop standards and ethics for AI development. “Ultimately, the future of AI will be determined by humans,” he said. “That is why competition for talent in this area will intensify. We must equip the younger generation with digital skills, as well as critical thinking, curiosity and a heightened sense of ethical responsibility.” [Editor’s Note: The New Lines Institute will soon publish a report on AI development in Central Asia]. Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership has agreed to establish a new transit corridor that connects Tajikistan and Iran, opening a route to the sea for Central Asian trade. Afghan, Iranian and Tajik officials signed the operational framework agreement in the Iranian city of Mashhad. “The first pilot shipment is expected to pass through the
Jul 20, 2026 · via eurasianet.org
Singapore, Singapore, July 20th, 2026, Chainwire Patent-backed AI precision positioning technology aims to accelerate the adoption of next-generation connected vehicles through software-defined mobility infrastructure. GOTCAR, an AI-powered Vehicle Intelligence platform, announced that its global application has surpassed 30,000 registered users worldwide. This milestone accelerates the company's development of a software-driven precision positioning technology designed to overcome GPS limitations without relying on expensive dedicated infrastructure. As Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs), artificial intelligence, and connected mobility continue to reshape the global automotive industry, one critical challenge remains unresolved: enabling accurate vehicle positioning in environments where satellite navigation is unavailable. Although autonomous driving technologies have advanced rapidly in recent years, GPS-based navigation still struggles to operate reliably inside underground parking facilities, commercial complexes, airports, logistics centers, and other indoor environments. As a result, many next-generation mobility services—including indoor navigation, smart parking, parked vehicle localization, and autonomous parking—remain difficult to commercialize at scale. Conventional indoor positioning solutions often require LiDAR systems, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) infrastructure, BLE beacons, cameras, or other specialized hardware. While these approaches provide high positioning accuracy, they also involve substantial deployment and maintenance costs, making large-scale implementation economically challenging. Instead of depending on additional infrastructure, GOTCAR has developed a proprietary software architecture that analyzes standardized vehicle signals and driving behavior through artificial intelligence to estimate precise vehicle location. The company's core technology is protected by patented intellectual property and has been designed to enable scalable deployment across connected vehicle ecosystems. According to the company's internal analysis, conventional indoor navigation systems often require infrastructure investments of approximately US500 to US1,000 per parking space. For a commercial parking facility with approximately 3,000 parking spaces, total deployment costs may approach US$2 million, depending on the installation environment. By comparison, GOTCAR's AI-powered Vehicle Intelligence platform utilizes standardized vehicle-generated data rather than dedicated positioning infrastructure. According to
Jul 20, 2026 · via markets.businessinsider.com
Dublin, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Edge AI Software Market - Global Forecast 2026-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Edge AI Software Market is projected to reach USD 3.12 Billion in 2026. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 24.63%, reaching USD 11.86 Billion by 2032. Edge AI software is becoming a critical layer in digital infrastructure as organizations move artificial intelligence workloads closer to where data is generated. Instead of sending every sensor reading, image, voice command, or machine signal to centralized cloud environments, edge AI enables real-time inference, local decision-making, and intelligent automation on devices, gateways, industrial controllers, vehicles, cameras, and embedded systems. This shift is especially important for use cases requiring low latency, privacy preservation, bandwidth efficiency, operational resilience, and continuous availability in environments where network connectivity is limited or intermittent. The adoption of edge AI software is supported by verified technology and policy trends, including the expansion of 5G and private wireless networks, the growth of Internet of Things deployments, advances in compact AI accelerators, stronger data protection regulations, and increasing enterprise demand for automation across manufacturing, healthcare, energy, retail, transportation, smart cities, and defense. Edge AI software now includes model optimization, inference runtime, device orchestration, federated learning, computer vision analytics, predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and secure lifecycle management. As AI becomes embedded into physical operations, the ability to deploy, monitor, update, and govern models at the edge is emerging as a decisive capability for digital transformation. Transformative Shifts in the Edge AI Software Landscape The edge AI software landscape is undergoing a structural shift from centralized analytics toward distributed intelligence. Historically, organizations relied on cloud-based AI pipelines to collect, process, and analyze data after transmission. Today, a growing portion of AI inference is moving to edge environments
Jul 20, 2026 · via globenewswire.com
A twin problem of how to retain families and increase birthrates threatens cities’ economic development, a new Urban Institute report found. Metropolitan areas where 100,000 to 200,000 residents live in neighborhoods with a population density of more than 6,000 people per square mile have long relied on young, childless workers to fuel population and economic growth, according to The Case and Means for Family-Friendly Core Cities report. But demographic shifts, declining birthrates and changing work patterns, including more remote work, mean cities need to find ways to retain the families already living there and attract new ones. “Cities that fail to retain families may face shrinking school systems, weaker tax bases and increasing poverty concentration,” the report states. That’s because high- and middle-income families are more likely than lower-income families to leave cities, creating impoverished, high-crime areas. “By contrast, family retention can stabilize housing demand, sustain workforce pipelines and strengthen local economies.” In 2024, U.S. birthrates fell to an all-time low of 1.6 births per woman, which translates to about 54 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age. “As a result, natural population increase is projected to become negative in 2038, after which, all population growth will depend on immigration,” the report states. Federal policies such as national paid family leave and increased immigration could help address the problem, Lydia Lo, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute who wrote the report, told Smart Cities Dive. But there is a lot of uncertainty. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of immigration, and we don’t know what’s going to happen in terms of fertility policies…so, we said, ‘What is something that we can tell local governments who have capacity and agency right now what they can do in order to preserve some of their economic growth potential
Jul 20, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Efforts to advance sustainable buildings and climate-resilient cities in Nigeria are being undermined by fragmented initiatives and a lack of coordination among stakeholders, the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) said on Wednesday at the opening of the Future Cities Summit 2026 in Lagos. Speaking at the summit themed “Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities,” Danjuma Waniko, president of GBCN, said Nigeria is not short of sustainability initiatives, innovation or policy interventions, but lacks the framework needed to connect and scale them. “The real issue is not that nothing is happening, but rather it’s an issue of disconnectedness and fragmentation,” Waniko said. “We have many different people and organisations who are doing great work in this space. But it often feels like there is no connective tissue. There is no clear framework connecting our efforts,” he added. Read also: Africa’s borderless economy is outgrowing its financial infrastructure, says tech expert The two-day summit, organised by the GBCN, brought together policymakers, developers, financiers, academics, urban planners and climate experts to discuss pathways to building sustainable and resilient cities. Waniko noted that sustainability activities are taking place across government institutions, the private sector, academia and local communities, but their impact remains limited because they are often implemented in isolation. “They are often scattered. They are not visible enough. And so ultimately, even though a lot is happening, these things are not reinforcing one another and they are not delivering impact at the scale we would like,” he said. According to him, one of the central questions confronting the sector is why years of discussions, policies and projects have not translated into the scale of transformation needed to address climate risks and rapid urbanisation. “Why does awareness not translate into action? Why does the finance that is available not reach the projects
Jul 20, 2026 · via businessday.ng
5 Reasons Why Smart Infrastructure Companies Should Leverage IAA MOBILITY 2027 Smart Infrastructure brings together vehicles, energy, and digitalization with strong partners to create new opportunities for collaboration and investment. Learn more now. - 5 reasons for IAA MOBILITY - 5 Reasons for Smart Infrastructure The future of mobility won't be decided by new vehicles alone. Just as crucial are intelligent charging infrastructures, networked traffic systems, smart city solutions, digital platforms, and close cooperation between industry, politics, and the public sector. Smart infrastructure companies play a central role in this evolution. The transformation of mobility can only succeed through the interplay of vehicles, infrastructure, energy, and digitalization. IAA MOBILITY 2027 brings together this exact ecosystem of tech companies, infrastructure operators, OEMs, mobility providers, energy companies, cities, policymakers, and investors. This creates a unique mobility ecosystem where new partnerships are formed, investments are triggered, and innovative solutions are co-developed. The future of mobility won't be decided by new vehicles alone. Just as crucial are intelligent charging infrastructures, networked traffic systems, smart city solutions, digital platforms, and close cooperation between industry, politics, and the public sector. Smart infrastructure companies play a central role in this evolution. The transformation of mobility can only succeed through the interplay of vehicles, infrastructure, energy, and digitalization. IAA MOBILITY 2027 brings together this exact ecosystem of tech companies, infrastructure operators, OEMs, mobility providers, energy companies, cities, policymakers, and investors. This creates a unique mobility ecosystem where new partnerships are formed, investments are triggered, and innovative solutions are co-developed. Meet Decision-Makers from Industry, Cities, and Politics Developing intelligent infrastructure requires collaboration among a wide variety of stakeholders. Companies need to reach not only OEMs and mobility providers, but increasingly municipalities, transit authorities, and policymakers as well. IAA MOBILITY provides exactly this access. At the IAA Summit, companies meet
Jul 20, 2026 · via iaa-mobility.com
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. Through the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), Smart Mandaue encompasses better evidence-backed policy making for disaster resilience, urban planning, conservation, and community empowerment. Among these is the Mandaue Digital Twin, the flagship initiative of the road map, which will develop a digital model of the city that integrates data on traffic infrastructure, mobility, environmental conditions, and development projects into a single platform. Mandaue City joins the other 152 benefitting LGUs across the country under the expanded implementation of the department’s SSCP. Meanwhile, the DOST Central Visayas spearheaded the kickoff of the Smart Community Consortium — a multi-stakeholder platform for the SSCP across the region — through a ceremonial digital signing of DOST officials and other industry partners. The consortium will focus on the development and implementation of the program, mobilizing collaboration among the government, academe, industries, and communities to help local government units employ and scale smart and sustainable solutions.
Jul 20, 2026 · via manilatimes.net
MCMC senior adviser for operations Zurkarnain Yasin said the conference is intended to align regulators, industry leaders, technology providers and academics around three expected outcomes. The first is a stronger shared understanding of how to address emerging challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) governance, data protection, online safety, and digital trust. The second is the identification of practical policy and regulatory approaches that could keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies while safeguarding consumers. The third is the formation of stronger partnerships to enable coordinated responses to increasingly borderless digital risks. “The real measure of success is not the number of discussions held during the conference, but what happens after the conversations conclude,” Zurkarnain told FMT. He said observers should look for tangible outcomes such as new regulatory frameworks, strengthened industry codes, enhanced cross-border cooperation mechanisms, and the adoption of practical safeguards by digital service providers. However, new regulations and frameworks would take time to develop as they required extensive engagement with various stakeholders whose interests could differ. “In the shorter term, follow-up action could include further deliberations, stakeholder discussions, and regulatory sandbox initiatives arising from ideas or issues raised at the conference,” he said. He said other indicators would include the introduction or enhancement of regulatory instruments, guidelines and codes of practice, as well as increased industry compliance with online safety, consumer protection, and digital trust requirements. Separately, Zurkarnain said digital platforms should provide greater transparency through the publication of safety, enforcement and accountability reports, while organisations should adopt stronger AI governance, risk management, and data protection measures. He said that while enforcement remained an important part of MCMC’s regulatory toolkit, effective digital governance should not be judged solely by penalties or enforcement action. The most meaningful indicators would be safer online environments, stronger protection of personal data and greater accountability
Jul 20, 2026 · via freemalaysiatoday.com
The Smart Green Living Week 2026 is taking place at the Saigon Innovation Hub (SIHUB) in Ho Chi Minh City from July 17 to 19, featuring more than 50 businesses, startups, and innovation projects. The participants represent a wide array of sectors, including green materials, architecture, smart home technology, IoT, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), environmental technology, clean energy, and the circular economy. The event is held as part of Startup Connection Day 2026, a series of activities designed to bridge the innovation ecosystem by fostering collaboration between startups, enterprises, experts, investors, and state management agencies. Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, Mr. Tran Trong Tuyen, emphasized that green urban development requires the active participation of all stakeholders within the startup and innovation ecosystem. He noted that Smart Green Living Week was organized to create a dedicated space where startups, businesses, experts, investors, and regulators can connect, refine their solutions, and accelerate their practical application in real-world scenarios. In addition to the exhibition area, the event features a series of seminars, business dialogues, and networking activities. These sessions serve as a forum for stakeholders to discuss the latest trends in green urban development, innovation, and sustainable growth. Topics include sustainable consumption trends and the integration of technology and green materials into architecture, landscaping, and modern living spaces. During the event, experts also highlighted pressing challenges such as climate change, energy efficiency, emission reduction, urban management, and the need to improve quality of life. Addressing these issues, they argued, requires a strategic combination of advanced technology, new materials, data-driven insights, modern governance models, and innovative solutions that are ready for practical implementation.
Jul 19, 2026 · via en.vneconomy.vn