12 Jul FAMOUS FUTURISTS: CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKER, CONSULTING EXPERT & THOUGHT LEADER Famous futurists keynote speakers help organizations, governments, and communities prepare for what comes next. Rather than predicting the future with certainty, future trends experts and consultants analyze emerging trends, technologies, economic forces, demographic shifts, and societal changes as the best famous futurists to consider possible futures and help leaders make better long-term decisions. In today’s rapidly evolving world, organizations face constant disruption from artificial intelligence (AI), automation, climate change, biotechnology, cybersecurity, geopolitical change, and shifting consumer expectations. Celebrity famous futurists provide frameworks and insights that help decision-makers anticipate change instead of simply reacting to it. Myriad SMEs and KOLs serve as keynote speakers, advisors, researchers, authors, consultants, and innovation leaders. Research by top famous futurists covers industries including technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, energy, government, and consumer markets. Whether speaking at international conferences, advising Fortune 500 companies, or publishing influential books, consulting experts help leaders think past today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. What Is a Futurist? Global famous futurists are consultants that study long-term trends and emerging developments to explore how industries, technologies, economies, and societies may evolve. Rather than making exact predictions, futurologists use structured methods to identify patterns, uncertainties, and potential scenarios that can inform strategic planning. International famous futurists speakers pair insights from fields such as: - Technology - Economics - Sociology - Political science - Demographics - Environmental science - Business strategy - Behavioral science - Innovation - Data analytics Their objective is to help organizations reduce uncertainty and make better long-term decisions. What Makes Someone a Famous Futurist? A famous futurist is recognized for consistently providing influential ideas about the future through research, writing, consulting, media appearances, or keynote speaking. Many well-known futurists have built reputations by: - Publishing bestselling books
Jul 12, 2026 · via futuristsspeakers.com
By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. Workers produce large blocks of ice in the ice production workshop of Xincheng Cold Storage Co. in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, July 5, 2024. /VCG Workers produce large blocks of ice in the ice production workshop of Xincheng Cold Storage Co. in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, July 5, 2024. /VCG As another summer of extreme heat pushes air-conditioning demand higher across China, cities are facing a growing challenge: how to stay cool without placing ever greater pressure on the power grid. Instead of simply installing more air conditioners, many Chinese cities are beginning to rethink how cooling is produced and delivered. Through centralized cooling networks, cleaner energy sources, and intelligent energy management systems, they are transforming cooling from something provided by individual buildings into shared urban infrastructure. The shift reflects a broader effort to build greener, more resilient cities as China adapts to hotter summers while advancing its low-carbon development goals. One of the clearest examples is district cooling. Rather than equipping every office tower, shopping mall, or residential complex with its own chiller plant, a centralized energy station produces chilled water and distributes it through underground pipelines to multiple buildings. After absorbing heat indoors, the water returns to the station to be cooled again, creating a continuous closed-loop system. By sharing equipment across an entire district, the system reduces duplicated infrastructure, improves energy efficiency, and frees up valuable building space. Shenzhen's Qianhai cooperation zone has become one of China's flagship projects. According to Shenzhen Qianhai Energy, its No. 5 cooling station â the largest centralized cooling station in Asia when it entered operation â can provide cooling for about 2.75
Jul 12, 2026 · via news.cgtn.com
There’s a hot new phrase bouncing around police departments across the United States: “drone-as-first-responder.” From small-town Indiana to New York City, cops around the country are embracing autonomous surveillance drones as the latest innovation in policing. While you might hear about the occasional puppy found in the woods with a police drone, those feel-good stories provide excellent cover for their true purposes: gathering intelligence on peaceful protests, surveilling minority communities, and intimidating activists. Though drone-as-first-responder initiatives may not yet inspire the same knee-jerk opposition as Flock surveillance towers and data centers, fury is clearly growing as a more and more Americans are taking a stand against police drones. In Minneapolis, residents are speaking out against the city police department’s plan to partner with Skydio, a private defense contractor that primarily manufactures drones for military forces. Concerned citizens packed a City Council meeting to discuss the initiative on Wednesday, filling both the main council hall and a back-up overflow room, CBS reported. At the meeting, over 40 residents took the mic to explain that they don’t want Skydio drones — or any drones for that matter — in the Twin Cities. “The deployment of autonomous surveillance drones rests on the presumption that the regular people unto themselves are existential threats,” one speaker exclaimed according to local station Fox9. “But if you accept and normalize that idea that every single person could be an existential threat, then you have already stripped your own residents of any inkling of humanity.” The speaker continued, highlighting the fact that Minneapolis has a particularly grim history of police violence against Black people. “We need respect for our individuals and shared humanity,” they told city council members, “more relational work on the ground, not remote drones in the air.” That movement in Minneapolis seems to be growing
Jul 12, 2026 · via futurism.com
The launching ceremony was organized by Vietnam For the People Joint Stock Company (VNV), with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training , the Central Youth Union, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, as well as representatives from technology companies such as VNPT, Teky, KDI Education, Pythaverse, and the principals of many primary and secondary schools. Speaking at the ceremony, a representative of the Organizing Committee expressed their emotion that after many years of nurturing the desire to build more meaningful activities for education , AIROC 2026 has officially been launched as a playground for the younger generation. A representative from the organizing committee shared: "Many people think that AIROC was named after the current trend of artificial intelligence (AI). That's partly true. However, when we decided to change the competition's name to AIROC, we also wanted to convey another message. In English, 'I ROC' means 'I will succeed'." Therefore, the name AIROC reflects the belief that every young person can conquer challenges and create their own achievements. From the very name, we want to instill in them confidence and a readiness to enter a new era, as well as opportunities to experience, learn, and nurture innovative thinking starting today." Building upon the 19-year history of the Robothon competition, AIROC 2026 marks a new milestone by bringing technological problems closer to reality. The theme "Synapse City" simulates a smart city, where competing teams use programmed robots to process data, coordinate traffic, and solve environmental problems. Through this, students apply their knowledge to solve real-world situations instead of just focusing on theory. According to the organizers, AIROC 2026 will be held nationwide with two regional finals in the North and South. After the national finals, the outstanding teams will represent Vietnam at the International Finals, scheduled
Jul 11, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
Sizewell B, Geothermal & Shell: This Week's Top Five Stories 1. What Sizewell B’s New Lifeline Means for UK’s Nuclear Energy EDF and the UK Government have agreed to extend the life of the huge nuclear plant until 2055, securing 900 jobs and a supply of clean energy for Suffolk Sizewell B, one of the UK’s largest, most powerful and most efficient nuclear power plants, has received a ‘life extension’ of 20 years. The EDF-operated facility has been operational since 1995 and had been scheduled for closure in 2035, in keeping with the general 40-year lifespan of nuclear plants. However, the French energy giant and the UK Government have agreed to keep the site running until 2055 after Westminster offered EDF a fixed, subsidised price for its future output of electricity. Tom Greatrex, the CEO of the UK’s Nuclear Industry Association, points out the significance of this moment. “Sizewell B is the cleanest, most productive and most reliable plant in the whole country, so extending its life is one of the best things we can do to build an affordable and reliable clean power system,” he says. “Nuclear makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to our energy security, so we should also continue to deploy new nuclear projects, to renew the benefits from clean, secure and reliable electricity for decades to come.” 2. RGreen & Arverne: Investing in Europe’s Geothermal Journey RGreen has invested US$59.7m in Arverne, backing France's geothermal and lithium ambitions and Europe's wider pursuit of energy security and sustainability RGreen Invest is one of the most prominent sustainable investment firms operating in Europe today. The company manages around US$3.3bn of assets and focuses entirely on investing in sustainable endeavours, including renewable energy infrastructure and climate change mitigation initiatives. Central to the firm’s philosophy is the notion of
Jul 11, 2026 · via energydigital.com
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Jul 11, 2026 · via youtube.com
The launching ceremony took place at the Hanoi City Digital Transformation Center, with the participation of representatives from the Institute for School Design Research (Ministry of Education and Training), the principals of primary and secondary schools, and representatives from educational and technology organizations and partners accompanying the competition. Building upon the 19-year history of the Robothon competition, AIROC 2026 incorporates artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and Digital Twin simulation technology into challenges for students. This year's theme is "Synapse City," simulating a smart city. Competing teams must program robots to process data, move, and solve environmental problems. On the model, the robot will perform three main tasks: delineating the polluted area; transporting neutralizing blocks to the treatment site; and recovering the contaminated blocks and bringing them back to the laboratory for analysis. Through AIROC 2026, students gain access to a modern robotics ecosystem, experience AI, IoT, and Digital Twin technologies, and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. This also fosters creative thinking, programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. Furthermore, combining physical robots with a simulated environment allows students to practice and test algorithms, optimize programs before deploying them on a real-world model, and simultaneously gain access to advanced technologies being applied in industry and smart cities. Speaking at the launch ceremony, a representative from the Institute for School Design Research, Ministry of Education and Training, stated that education in the digital age should not only equip students with knowledge but also help them develop the capacity to adapt, be creative, and master technology. AIROC 2026 is divided into four levels for students aged 6 to 18. Depending on the age group, teams use standard or advanced Leanbot robots, combined with Blockly, Python, or C++ programming languages. Registration for the competition is open from July to September
Jul 11, 2026 · via vietnam.vn
Take a walk in Delhi in May, and you’ll notice the heat rising from the pavement even after dark. The air hangs heavy between the concrete buildings. In Bengaluru, people who once needed sweaters in the mornings now sweat through the night, since urban forests that once cooled the city have been replaced by new construction. In Hyderabad, students protested in April 2025 when 400 acres of green land were cleared for an IT park, a conflict that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. These events are not happening in isolation. They are part of a bigger crisis across urban India: our cities are losing green spaces faster than they can be replaced, and the impact is now clear to everyone. The numbers tell the story. A 2024 study in Heliyon found that Delhi’s built-up area grew from 7.67 per cent in 1977 to 38.28 per cent by 2014 and could reach 53.83 per cent by 2030, largely replacing farmland and forests. Another review showed that urban wetlands can cool nearby areas by about 4.7-4.9°C, and street trees lower air temperatures by about 3.8°C on average. The 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on India found that extreme heat in 2024 resulted in the loss of 247 billion potential labour hours and an economic loss of US$ 194 billion. Urban India is not just getting hotter; it is also losing wealth. Solutions exist. Now, India needs a way to put them into action. I work as a Community Woodland Officer with North East Community Forest in England, one of 15 Community Forests in the country. A Community Forest is not just a traditional forest. It includes urban neighbourhoods, farmland, old industrial sites, and the green spaces in between, all focused on planting trees and making green spaces accessible. When these forests began in
Jul 11, 2026 · via downtoearth.org.in
Oman’s smart city ambitions to drive 6.7 GW power demand: OETC The integration plans will focus on strengthening transmission networks to accommodate renewable energy sources, including solar and wind projects Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 10,2026 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 10,2026 MUSCAT: Oman’s ambitious pipeline of smart cities and urban development projects is expected to create demand for around 6.7 gigawatts (GW) of additional power generation capacity over the long term, requiring major expansion and modernisation of the Sultanate of Oman’s electricity transmission infrastructure, according to Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC). The majority state-owned grid operator said it is laying the foundation to integrate a portfolio of strategic urban developments — currently at various stages of planning and implementation and backed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning — into its long-term grid development plans. “OETC plays a vital role in integrating these smart cities into a reliable, efficient and future-ready power grid”, the company stated in its 5-Year Annual Transmission Capability Strategy 2026-2030. The integration plans will focus on strengthening transmission networks to accommodate renewable energy sources, including solar and wind projects, enabling decentralised power generation, developing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and enhancing grid capacity through new transmission lines and reactive power compensation systems. OETC said the planned developments will require a new generation of smart grid solutions capable of supporting growing electricity demand while maintaining reliability and efficiency. Among the largest contributors to future electricity demand is the Greater Muscat Structure Plan, which is expected to require more than 5 GW of power capacity by 2040. The ambitious urban framework aims to transform the capital region into a smart, resilient metropolis supported by renewable energy integration, artificial intelligence-enabled urban services and advanced transport networks. The Sultan Haitham City, Oman’s first fully integrated smart city development, is projected
Jul 11, 2026 · via omanobserver.om
Berg Insight estimates that two thirds of electricity customers in the EU27+3 had a smart meter by the end of 2025, with further growth expected through 2031. The next phase of the market will be shaped not only by new deployments, but by replacements and communications technology choices. Smart metering in Europe is no longer a single deployment story. In some countries, utilities are still working through first large-scale electricity meter rollouts. In others, the discussion has already moved to second-generation devices, upgraded communications networks and the operational lessons learned from earlier programmes. That split is the most useful lens through which to read Berg Insight’s latest assessment of the European smart metering market. According to the research firm, the EU27+3 region had around 209 million smart electricity meters installed at the end of 2025, equivalent to approximately two thirds of electricity customers. Berg Insight expects the installed base to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.1 percent and reach 85 percent penetration by 2031. The forecast implies continued volume for meter manufacturers, communications module suppliers and systems integrators, but not a uniform opportunity across Europe. Berg Insight expects more than 131 million smart electricity meters to be deployed in the region during 2025–2031. A significant part of that demand will come from first-generation projects in countries including Germany, the UK, Poland and Greece, while replacement and second-generation activity is set to support shipments in markets such as Spain, France and the Netherlands. A market split between first deployments and refresh cycles What makes this forecast distinct from a typical smart metering market update is the clear separation between two different phases of European deployment. Berg Insight says first-generation smart electricity meters are expected to account for 65 percent of cumulative shipment volumes during the forecast period. By
Jul 11, 2026 · via iotbusinessnews.com
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 July 2026 – As global urban challenges evolve, Vietnamese Developers offer valuable insights into alternative development models. Vinhomes’ strategic response is crystallized in its ESG For much of the past century, urban development followed a relatively straightforward equation: build housing, expand infrastructure and accommodate population growth. This formula is now showing its limitations. As climate risk intensifies, biodiversity declines and cities compete not only for investment but also for talent, developers around the world are now forced to redefine the very nature and purpose of what they build. From the Gulf to Singapore, and from Scandinavia to Southeast Asia, large-scale urban projects are evolving into integrated ecosystems where mobility, green infrastructure, education, healthcare, digital services and environmental restoration are planned together. The industry paradigm has shifted from constructing buildings to designing places capable of sustaining both economic growth and quality of life over generations. Vinhomes has initiated a comprehensive repositioning to navigate this global transition. Known as Vietnam’s largest residential developer, the company is increasingly recognized not merely as a builder of housing projects, but as a creator of large-scale lifestyle ecosystems, communities where urban planning, technology, ecology and public services are conceived as parts of the same system. When Nature Becomes Urban Infrastructure For decades, environmental considerations were often introduced after a city’s masterplan had already been completed. The emerging model reverses that sequence. Across many of its recent developments, Vinhomes operates on the principle that natural systems should become the starting point of planning. Hydrology, coastal conditions, biodiversity and existing vegetation are treated as design inputs that shape the urban layout from the earliest stages. This philosophy marks a notable departure from conventional large-scale development, particularly in rapidly urbanising markets where natural landscapes have frequently given way
Jul 11, 2026 · via usatoday.com
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 July 2026 - As global urban challenges evolve, Vietnamese Developers offer valuable insights into alternative development models. kAmu@C >F49 @7 E96 A2DE 46?EFCJ[ FC32? 56G6=@A>6?E 7@==@H65 2 C6=2E:G6=J DEC2:89E7@CH2C5 6BF2E:@?i 3F:=5 9@FD:?8[ 6IA2?5 :?7C2DECF4EFC6 2?5 244@>>@52E6 A@AF=2E:@? 8C@HE9] %9:D 7@C>F=2 :D ?@H D9@H:?8 :ED =:>:E2E:@?D] pD 4=:>2E6 C:D< :?E6?D:7:6D[ 3:@5:G6CD:EJ 564=:?6D 2?5 4:E:6D 4@>A6E6 ?@E @?=J 7@C :?G6DE>6?E 3FE 2=D@ 7@C E2=6?E[ 56G6=@A6CD 2C@F?5 E96 H@C=5 2C6 ?@H 7@C465 E@ C6567:?6 E96 G6CJ ?2EFC6 2?5 AFCA@D6 @7 H92E E96J 3F:=5]k^Am kAmuC@> E96 vF=7 E@ $:?82A@C6[ 2?5 7C@> $42?5:?2G:2 E@ $@FE962DE pD:2[ =2C86\D42=6 FC32? AC@;64ED 2C6 6G@=G:?8 :?E@ :?E68C2E65 64@DJDE6>D H96C6 >@3:=:EJ[ 8C66? :?7C2DECF4EFC6[ 65F42E:@?[ 962=E942C6[ 5:8:E2= D6CG:46D 2?5 6?G:C@?>6?E2= C6DE@C2E:@? 2C6 A=2??65 E@86E96C] %96 :?5FDECJ A2C25:8> 92D D9:7E65 7C@> 4@?DECF4E:?8 3F:=5:?8D E@ 56D:8?:?8 A=246D 42A23=6 @7 DFDE2:?:?8 3@E9 64@?@>:4 8C@HE9 2?5 BF2=:EJ @7 =:76 @G6C 86?6C2E:@?D]k^Am kAm':?9@>6D 92D :?:E:2E65 2 4@>AC696?D:G6 C6A@D:E:@?:?8 E@ ?2G:82E6 E9:D 8=@32= EC2?D:E:@?]k^Am kAmz?@H? 2D ':6E?2>VD =2C86DE C6D:56?E:2= 56G6=@A6C[ E96 4@>A2?J :D :?4C62D:?8=J C64@8?:K65 ?@E >6C6=J 2D 2 3F:=56C @7 9@FD:?8 AC@;64ED[ 3FE 2D 2 4C62E@C @7 =2C86\D42=6 =:76DEJ=6 64@DJDE6>D[ 4@>>F?:E:6D H96C6 FC32? A=2??:?8[ E649?@=@8J[ 64@=@8J 2?5 AF3=:4 D6CG:46D 2C6 4@?46:G65 2D A2CED @7 E96 D2>6 DJDE6>]k^Am kAm(96? }2EFC6 q64@>6D &C32? x?7C2DECF4EFC6k^Am kAmu@C 564256D[ 6?G:C@?>6?E2= 4@?D:56C2E:@?D H6C6 @7E6? :?EC@5F465 27E6C 2 4:EJVD >2DE6CA=2? 925 2=C625J 366? 4@>A=6E65]k^Am kAm%96 6>6C8:?8 >@56= C6G6CD6D E92E D6BF6?46] p4C@DD >2?J @7 :ED C646?E 56G6=@A>6?ED[ ':?9@>6D @A6C2E6D @? E96 AC:?4:A=6 E92E ?2EFC2= DJDE6>D D9@F=5 364@>6 E96 DE2CE:?8 A@:?E @7 A=2??:?8] wJ5C@=@8J[ 4@2DE2= 4@?5:E:@?D[ 3:@5:G6CD:EJ 2?5 6I:DE:?8 G686E2E:@? 2C6 EC62E65 2D 56D:8? :?AFED E92E D92A6 E96 FC32? =2J@FE 7C@> E96 62C=:6DE DE286D]k^Am kAm%9:D A9:=@D@A9J >2C<D 2 ?@E23=6 56A2CEFC6 7C@> 4@?G6?E:@?2= =2C86\D42=6 56G6=@A>6?E[ A2CE:4F=2C=J :? C2A:5=J FC32?:D:?8 >2C<6ED H96C6 ?2EFC2= =2?5D42A6D 92G6 7C6BF6?E=J 8:G6? H2J E@ :?E6?D:G6 4@?DECF4E:@?]k^Am kAm(:E9 >@C6 E92? b_ 56G6=@A>6?ED
Jul 11, 2026 · via newspressnow.com
Mexico City (ANTARA/PRNewswire)- On July 2, 2026, representatives from UNESCO, Chinese and Mexican government agencies, industry associations and businesses gathered in Mexico City for the China-Mexico Dialogue for a Green Future on Rail Transit, exploring how sustainable transportation can improve urban mobility while strengthening cultural ties between the two countries. Held under the theme "Green Mobility, Shared Civilizations," the event provided a forum to exchange perspectives on the future of sustainable urban development. Discussions centered on the role of rail transit in helping cities reduce emissions while meeting growing transportation demand. With Mexico City continuing to invest in the electrification of its transit network, participants pointed to expanding opportunities for China-Mexico cooperation on sustainable urban mobility. CRRC showcased rail systems designed for local operating conditions that also incorporate Mexican cultural elements, while UNESCO representatives cited the company's localized ESG strategy as an example of how sustainability can be integrated into day-to-day business operations. Wang Feng, President of CRRC Corporation Limited, said the company's long-term strategy is to help cities build cleaner, more efficient transportation systems. In Mexico, that translates into combining advanced rail technology with localized operations and ESG practices to develop solutions that reflect local priorities. During the event, Wang Qiaolin, Chairman of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd., and José Luis Perea González, Deputy Director General of Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, signed a cooperation agreement establishing the China-Mexico Cultural Preservation and Communication Project. Guests also unveiled the 2025 CRRC in Mexico Sustainability Report. Aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Mexico's regulatory framework, the report outlines CRRC's ESG initiatives in Mexico and documents the low-carbon results of the company's work on the Mexico City Metro and Light Rail systems, as well as projects in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Campeche. It also highlights transportation support
Jul 11, 2026 · via en.antaranews.com
Trustay has set out to target the global market by participating in the Korea-Mongolia Economic Delegation as the sole AI solution company to promote smart city cooperation with Mongolia's second-largest city. The company joined the delegation, organized to coincide with President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Mongolia, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Darkhan City to establish an AI-based smart city. This agreement was pursued as a city-level cooperation case among the 21 business agreements signed during the economic delegation, and plans are underway to proceed with a full-scale proof-of-concept (PoC) to apply an AI-based safety control system to an actual urban environment. AI Smart City Demonstration with Mongolia's Second Largest City… Establishing a Bridgehead for Expansion into Central Asia Trustay plans to build an urban safety control system using its proprietary AI platform 'nocki AI' and expand the application of various proptech services, such as the residential platforms 'Knock Town' and 'Knock Zone', to the Mongolian market in the future. Mongolia is pursuing urban modernization and the establishment of smart cities as key national priorities, and interest in Korean-style residential environments has recently been growing. Trustay also discussed plans to introduce residential management platforms and AI-based operating systems with local companies. The company plans to expand its presence in the Mongolian market by focusing on urban safety control, residential operation systems, and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and based on this foundation, pursue entry into the Central Asian and global smart city markets. Lee Seung-oh, CEO of Trustay, stated, “Participating in this economic delegation is an example demonstrating that AI technology can be utilized as a core infrastructure for global smart cities,” adding, “We will use the pilot project in Mongolia as a stepping stone to expand our business into global markets, including Central Asia.” You must be
Jul 11, 2026 · via venturesquare.net
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Jul 11, 2026 · via youtube.com
Just a few decades ago, slowing global population growth was an international policy priority. Nowadays, pundits and decision-makers are fretting about the fact that people are having smaller families – a development that, in the past, would have been heralded as welcome progress. But which side is right? — July 11 marks World Population Day, a day singing a light “on the urgency and importance of population issues,” and established by the United Nations in 1989. Back then, it was widely understood that sustained human population growth has the potential to outstrip available resources, cause ecological devastation, exacerbate poverty, and trigger social unrest and armed conflict. Yet today, World Population Day largely goes unmarked, even by the UN. Baby Bust Panic Reflects Infinite Growth Delusions The dominant population narrative now revolves around declining fertility rates (the number of births per woman), and the supposed threats these present to our economies. Little attention is given to the alarming fact that we are still adding roughly 70 million people (equivalent to the entire population of the United Kingdom) to the world every year, and are on course for a peak of more than 10 billion in the 2080s. While population aging – and, in some countries, decline – certainly brings new socioeconomic challenges, these are manageable with available social policy measures. More problematic is the fact that global fertility decline is not happening fast enough. At our current population size of 8.3 billion, all environmental health indicators are already in the red. We are facing catastrophic climate change and a sixth mass extinction, and are using natural resources almost twice as fast as the Earth can regenerate them. Every few years, we breach more planetary boundaries and have already transgressed seven of nine. Scientists agree that we are moving ever closer to
Jul 11, 2026 · via earth.org
Cities Japan’s mixed-generation living experiment finds success; Lucerne’s train station goes underground; a Tel Aviv-based start-up helps US city leaders hear what residents are saying. Protect your elders Japan — housing While the consequences of ageing populations are felt in many parts of the world, Japan has particularly struggled. But the country has also pioneered some creative solutions. Kozoji New Town in the city of Kasugai offers a brilliant example. Like many similar developments across the country, Kozoji New Town was built by Japan Housing Corporation in the 1960s at the dawn of Japan’s economic boom. The 710-hectare plot of land was designed as a smart urban project with houses, danchi (social-housing blocks), shopping centres and sports facilities, to accommodate about 80,000 residents. Fast-forward to 2014 and the development’s population had decreased. And those remaining had aged: 28 per cent of those still in the danchi and houses were over the age of 65, with many feeling isolated and lonely. The solution? “Building a mixed community,” says Tomohiko Itokawa, the danchi manager at Urban Renaissance Agency (formerly Japan Housing Corporation). It joined forces with Kasugai City and by chance the nearby Chubu University was also exploring ways to connect its students with the community. “So, we decided to collaborate by accommodating students in our danchi.” Today, students who live in the danchi contribute to the community by participating in disaster drills and street clean-ups with the elderly residents. The students receive a 20-per-cent discount on their rent and the feedback from seniors has been uplifting. “Interacting with younger people has made them more positive and outgoing,” says Itokawa. “Also, annual events like summer festivals tend to be discontinued in a community with no vitality but here students participate too.” It goes to show how cross-generational co-operation can make a big
Jul 10, 2026 · via monocle.com
Türkiye and Russia pledged to deepen cooperation on urban development, sustainable infrastructure and climate initiatives during talks Friday in Moscow. Turkish Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who oversees construction and regional development, as well as Housing and Utilities Minister Irek Faizullin, at the Russian government headquarters. "Our goal is to fully combine Türkiye's vast experience in urban transformation and post-disaster reconstruction with Russia's strong technical expertise to jointly build the smart, safe, people-centered cities of tomorrow based on an 'infrastructure for life' vision," said Kurum. He added that cooperation between the two countries on urban renewal, energy-efficient buildings, digital city management and green infrastructure could serve as "an inspiration not only for our region but for the entire world." The minister said relations between Türkiye and Russia extend beyond those of neighboring countries, describing the partnership as a multidimensional relationship spanning energy, trade, tourism and urban development. He urged closer collaboration ahead of the UN climate summit COP31, which Türkiye is set to host in Antalya later this year. "As the COP31 president, we believe it is time to move from words to action," said Kurum, adding that Türkiye values Russia's support in achieving concrete outcomes at the summit. Khusnullin welcomed the visit ahead of COP31, saying the conference would mark an important step in advancing the international agenda on sustainable urban development and infrastructure. "In recent years, Türkiye has significantly increased its engagement on the global climate agenda and has become one of the most active participants in international dialogue on climate issues," Khusnullin added.
Jul 10, 2026 · via anews.com.tr
From Cradle to Silver: Are Cities Designing for Wellbeing at Every Stage of Life? Wellbeing in city is shaped not only by access to services, but by how care is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As populations age and social needs become more complex, cities are moving beyond isolated systems toward more connected approaches that link health, social services, housing, and community networks. This shift places greater emphasis on prevention, inclusion, and proximity, ensuring support is accessible across all stages of life. From child-friendly environments to age-inclusive strategies, the focus is on creating conditions that enable independence, connection, and dignity, while strengthening the social and economic foundations that underpin long-term urban wellbeing. Stage: Cities X PeopleWellbeing in city is shaped not only by access to services, but by how care is woven into the fabric of everyday life. As populations age and social needs become more complex, cities are moving beyond isolated systems toward more connected approaches that link health, social services, housing, and community networks. This shift places greater emphasis on prevention, inclusion, and proximity, ensuring support is accessible across all stages of life. From child-friendly environments to age-inclusive strategies, the focus is on creating conditions that enable independence, connection, and dignity, while strengthening the social and economic foundations that underpin long-term urban wellbeing. Parent Session - Caring Cities Tuesday 03, 15:05h - 15:50h | Stage: Cities X People All Passes
Jul 10, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com
What Does It Really Take to Connect the City of the Future?
Reliable, high-capacity connectivity is now a critical foundation for smarter urban services, real-time data use, and more connected public infrastructure. This roundtable discusses where cities stand in the deployment of IoT, specifically 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and smart networks, while considering the coverage, integration, and performance challenges that still need to be addressed to create digital infrastructure that is resilient, dependable, and prepared for future demands.
Stage: AI X CitiesReliable, high-capacity connectivity is now a critical foundation for smarter urban services, real-time data use, and more connected public infrastructure. This roundtable discusses where cities stand in the deployment of IoT, specifically 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and smart networks, while considering the coverage, integration, and performance challenges that still need to be addressed to create digital infrastructure that is resilient, dependable, and prepared for future demands.
Parent Session
- Urban Connectivity & IOT Tuesday 03, 14:05h - 14:50h | Stage: AI X Cities All Passes
Jul 10, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com