AI-powered street in Shenzhen shows the future of smart cities #coolchina Over 100 AI-powered devices and applications are bringing the future of smart cities to life at a street in south China's Shenzhen. Drones identify safety risks from the sky, patrol vehicles respond on the ground, and robots sort orders and deliver goods from smart stores. Coordinated by an intelligent urban hub, these devices work together to make city management more efficient and responsive. This AI-powered street reflects China's rapid transition of artificial intelligence from laboratories to real-world scenarios. China's core AI industry has surpassed 1.2 trillion yuan ($174 billion) in scale, with the country ranking among the world's leading AI innovators. As the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance approaches in Shanghai, global attention is turning to China's AI development and its vision for the future of intelligent cities. #coolchina #WAIC2026 đș Subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay updated with our latest analysis and interviews:đ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrNz-aDmcr2uuto8_DL2jg đ Download our APP on Apple Store (iOS): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cctvnews-app/id922456579?l=zh&ls=1&mt=8 Download our APP on Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imib.cctv For more: https://www.cgtn.com/video Most watched videos: Impossible Challenge: 30 seconds to count banknotes BLINDFOLDED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmP_Ybj-jws Impossible Challenge: Gymnastics Boy Arat Hosseini from Iran! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxX--U4c8w Impossible Challenge: How to calm babies in 5 seconds? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3q9sXM7WA
Jul 16, 2026 · via modernghana.com
The two companies will deepen their collaboration and work on bringing AI into the real world, Nvidia said in a statement on Thursday. The pair had previously also teamed up with US-based Ready Robotics on software to help improve safety and productivity on factory floors. âWe are expanding our partnership to advance physical AI across not only automotive but also robotics and smart cities,â said Deepu Talla, Nvidiaâs vice president of robotics and edge AI. Extending the reach of AI beyond the data centre and integrating it directly into devices and machines is an industry-wide focus this year. Jensen Huang, the US companyâs co-founder and chief executive officer, leads a visit to Japan this week to drum up more business and excitement around the potential of the new technology. Earlier in the week, Huangâs longtime friend and fellow AI evangelist Masayoshi Son declared questions around overinvestment in AI âfoolishâ and encouraged Japanese businesses to seize the opportunity ahead of them at his companyâs SoftBank World event. Toyota will integrate Nvidiaâs AI platforms into Woven City, its experimental prototype community built on a former factory site in Shizuoka Prefecture. Woven City serves as a real-world laboratory for testing cutting-edge technologies in a live setting. Beyond urban mobility, Toyota will deploy Nvidiaâs Omniverse to build digital twins of its vehicle assembly lines, where it will be able to virtually model different production methods and optimise efficiency. It will also leverage Nvidiaâs Isaac robotics platform and Nemotron large language models to accelerate automotive software development. The alliance began in 2017 when Toyota selected the Nvidia Drive PX platform to trial its early automated driving systems. The two extended it last year when Toyota committed to using the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin platform for its upcoming commercial vehicle fleets.
Jul 16, 2026 · via freemalaysiatoday.com
Advanced Info Service (AIS) has partnered with Bangkok Land to transform the Muang Thong Thani area into Thailand's next smart economic district. The two companies forged a strategic partnership to build an intelligent digital infrastructure across more than 4,000 rai of Muang Thong Thani, positioning one of Thailand's largest mixed-use developments as a next-generation smart, connected city and a future economic hub powered by advanced connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven urban management. The collaboration reflects a growing trend among property developers and telecom operators to integrate digital technologies into large-scale urban developments as Thailand seeks to strengthen its digital economy and improve the competitiveness of its cities. Pratthana Leelapanang, chief executive of AIS, said the initiative aims to transform Muang Thong Thani from Thailand's premier venue for exhibitions, conventions and entertainment into a fully integrated urban area where residential communities, commercial districts, educational institutions, public services and business facilities are seamlessly connected through digital infrastructure. AIS will deploy its next-generation communications infrastructure throughout the development, anchored by a comprehensive 5G advanced network that uses carrier aggregation technology to provide higher speeds, lower latency and greater network capacity, he said. The upgraded network is designed to accommodate tens of thousands of concurrent users, particularly at the Impact exhibition and convention facilities, while supporting bandwidth-intensive applications, including live-streaming, extended reality, holographic communications and real-time broadcasting. The telecom operator is also expanding AIS 3BB Fibre3 broadband services with WiFi 7 technology across residential areas, enabling future digital lifestyles through smart home applications, remote working, telemedicine and connected healthcare services, said Mr Pratthana. For enterprises, AIS is introducing a suite of digital transformation services built around hyper-connectivity, sovereign cloud, data centre and AI solutions, enabling businesses to accelerate AI adoption, connect with global cloud platforms, leverage data analytics and access managed digital services.
Jul 15, 2026 · via bangkokpost.com
Each year, millions of tourists from around the world visit Pompeii. They admire its frescoes and archaeological ruins, but few of them ever notice the solar panels installed on the roof of the ancient Roman Villa of the Mysteries. âHere we can see one of the roof tiles above us,â says Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, holding one up. âFrom this side, it looks just like an ancient Roman tile. But if we look at it from behind, we can see that it is actually a small photovoltaic panel. It generates electricity to illuminate this villa, and a large share of the energy needed here comes directly from the roof installation.â Developed by the Italian company Visen, these photovoltaic tiles could soon be deployed on other buildings within the Pompeii Archaeological Park that are not connected to the electricity grid. Beyond their practical applications, the initiative is part of a broader commitment to sustainability, aimed at reconciling environmental responsibility with the preservation of Pompeii's invaluable heritage. âThe landscape is a fundamental part of our heritage,â says Zuchtriegel. âProtecting the landscape means, of course, restoring cultural sites and monuments appropriately, but it also means taking the environment into account. And this is an example of how these two aspects can be brought together.â The Portuguese city of Ăvora shares similar concerns and has installed comparable photovoltaic tiles on the roof of its City Hall. âThey are not normal shingles,â explains Humberto Queiroz, EDP Project Manager. âThey are made of a semi-transparent epoxy material with solar cells embedded in the middle of it, which generates electricity for the self-consumption of this building. Around this area we have around 20 kilowatt-peak of PV shingles installed. Their objective is to blend into the architectural landscape of this building and preserve the
Jul 15, 2026 · via youris.com
EHang Holdings Ltd - ADR vs Target Corporation â how do they compare? EHang Holdings Ltd - ADR trades at $5.65 (market cap $413.36M), while Target Corporation trades at $138.35 (market cap $60.86B). The key difference: Target Corporation is far larger â about 147.2Ă EHang Holdings Ltd - ADR's market cap, and Target Corporation pays a 3.46% dividend while EHang Holdings Ltd - ADR pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals. | EH | TGT | | |---|---|---| | Market Cap | $413.36M | $60.86B | | Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical | | 52-Week High | $19.99 | $141.19 | | 52-Week Low | $5.41 | $83.68 | | Enterprise Value | $353.02M | $76.16B | | Dividend Yield | â | 3.46% | Signals from Pluang's Aura AI â not financial advice EHang Holdings (EH) trades at $5.41, down 3.22% on the day, reflecting ongoing volatility in the advanced air mobility sector. The stock shows a bearish technical trend with oversold RSI signals, while fundamentals reveal persistent losses with a net margin of -77.56% in 2025 despite a gross margin of 61.53%. Recent Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations but highlighted a sharp quarterly revenue drop, underscoring execution challenges amid expansion efforts. The outlook remains high-risk with mixed analyst sentiment; a $6.97 consensus target suggests modest upside, but deep losses and cash burn necessitate careful monitoring of commercialization progress. Key risks include operational scalability, regulatory hurdles, and intense competition in the emerging eVTOL market. Target (TGT) trades at $134.77, down 0.27% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral oscillator stance. The company maintains stable revenue around $106.6 billion (2025) and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent dividend payments of $1.14 and $1.16 per share highlight its
Jul 15, 2026 · via pluang.com
About
Press
Copyright
Contact us
Creators
Advertise
Developers
Terms
Privacy
Policy & Safety
How YouTube works
Test new features
NFL Sunday Ticket
© 2026 Google LLC
Jul 15, 2026 · via youtube.com
Executive Summary Dominant corporations like SpaceX are devising new ways to escape democratic accountability through jurisdictional secession. Their recent efforts parallel efforts from previous industrial barons, like George Pullman and Walt Disney, to secure governing independence through different institutional organizations of the historical company town. Rather than constraining these efforts, local government law has facilitated the emergence of the contemporary corporate enclaveâwhile also blocking the remedy that central cities like Chicago had previously wielded against the corporate capture of local politics: municipal annexation. These trends present a serious challenge for efforts by economic progressives to revive local democracy in response to the ongoing backsliding of federal institutions into entrenched oligarchy. This report documents this trend through four case studies: - Disney Worldâs self-governed district near Orlando - The nationwide bidding war that Amazon instigated during the search for its second headquarters - Wisconsinâs Foxconn deal - Nevadaâs proposed innovation zones Synthesizing the academic literature, it finds several economic and democratic harms from these new corporate enclaves, including distortions to competition, higher taxes and worse services, harms to workers, and harms to democracy. It then looks at some of the challenges that local governments have faced and will face if they attempt to better regulate these enclaves. Introduction Earlier this year, 218 residents of Starbase, Texasâalmost all employees of Elon Muskâs aerospace transportation company SpaceX or their family membersâvoted overwhelmingly to incorporate the companyâs landholdings into an independent and self-governed jurisdiction.1 The incorporation represented the culmination of a yearslong effort by Musk, first confirmed in a 2021 tweet on the social media platform that he now owns: âCreating the city of Starbase, Texas.â2 Almost immediately after the incorporation vote, the company (operating through its new shell government) consolidated its governing authority over a wide range of local policymaking that affected its
Jul 15, 2026 · via rooseveltinstitute.org
July 15, 2026 Largest Ecosystem Lineup at LEAP East 2026 Achieves Over 1,500 Business Matching Sessions - MEINONG ROBOT, a company within HKSTP ecosystem, stood out among more than 500 competing startups to win the 2nd Runner-Up in the Rocket Fuel East Startup Competition, securing a US$10,000 equity-free award; another park company, GenEditBio, also advanced to the Top 6 finalists. - HKSTP joined hands with more than 30 park companies to take the global stage of LEAP East as the eventâs exclusive Tech Ecosystem Partner, facilitating over 1,500 business discussions and meetings. - Under the theme âGateway to the NEXTâ, the HKSTP Pavilion featured innovations from 23 park companies, attracting more than 3,000 visits. HONG KONG SAR â MEINONG ROBOT, a company from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) ecosystem, won the 2nd Runner-Up in the Rocket Fuel East Startup Competition at LEAP East 2026, secured a US$10,000 equity-free award and gained exposure to global investors to accelerate its business expansion. Another park company, GenEditBio, also outperformed more than 500 competing startups and made it to the Top 6 Finalists. Making its debut in the Asia-Pacific region, LEAP East chose Hong Kong as its host city, bringing together technology leaders, investors, policymakers and tech ventures. As the eventâs exclusive Tech Ecosystem Partner, HKSTP participated alongside more than 30 park companies, facilitating over 1,500 business discussions and meetings from 8 to 10 July. Under the theme âGateway to the NEXTâ, the HKSTP Pavilion featured innovations from 23 park companies across four key sectors: Life and Health Tech, GreenTech & Sustainability, Smart Cities & Urban Tech, and AI, Data & Robotics, attracting more than 3,000 visits. Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: âLEAP Eastâs decision to land its first overseas edition in Hong Kong delivers three important messages to
Jul 15, 2026 · via asianews.network
Three-year agreement with minimum annual commitment of $2.5m; URBANnext SA to utilise and commercialise the Algho AI platform across smart city, infrastructure and urban services deployments for public and private sector clients Australia, 14th July 2026 â Vection Technologies Ltd (ASX:VR1, OTC:VCTNY, FRA: S1X) ("Vection" or the "Company"), a leading provider of INTEGRATEDXRÂź and AI-powered digital transformation solutions, is pleased to announce the execution of a three-year framework agreement with URBANnext SA, a Switzerland-based technology and innovation company focused on digital transformation for smart cities, urban infrastructure and public services. Under the agreement, URBANnext SA will utilise and commercialise Vection's Algho AI platform and related services across its client base. The agreement carries a minimum annual purchase commitment of $2.5m and a minimum aggregate contract value of $7.5m over the initial three-year term. KEY HIGHLIGHTS - Minimum aggregate contract value of $7.5m over three years, with a minimum annual purchase commitment of $2.5m, providing a committed revenue floor for the duration of the initial term. - URBANnext SA will utilise and commercialise the Algho AI platform and related services, including AI software licences, professional services, systems integration, implementation, and ongoing maintenance and support. - Individual projects and deployments will be governed by separate orders and technical-commercial proposals issued under the framework, creating a structured pipeline of Algho deployments across URBANnext SA's client portfolio. - URBANnext SA operates across smart city, public infrastructure and urban services markets, working with public authorities and private sector clients across Europe. Its focus on IoT integration, data analytics and digital ecosystems aligns directly with the multi-stakeholder, multi-system environments Algho AI is designed to operate in. - The agreement advances Vection's indirect sales channel strategy, adding a qualified European partner with established relationships in markets that represent a natural expansion path for Algho. OVERVIEW This agreement
Jul 15, 2026 · via irw-press.com
Urban AI systems lack accountability and risk measures, unlike commercial AI with national oversight. Urban AI is a complex socio-technical system, not just technology, and needs regulation due to its deep integration in public infrastructure, services, and daily life. The United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 11, aims to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. Over the past several decades, AI has contributed to the SDGs by improving planning, reducing congestion, and enhancing public services1. However, it also introduces new systemic risks and governance complexities for cities2. Compared to conventional AI systems, urban AI governance is particularly complex because the municipal government often acts as both deployers and regulators, with blurred lines of responsibility. Furthermore, urban AI is embedded in critical public infrastructure such as power grids and transportation systems, where failures could lead to serious societal, political, and economic consequences. Figure 1 outlines key applications, security threats, and policy roles in urban AI systems. It is foreseeable that AI security will become a global priority for sustainable urban development, yet current governance frameworks have not sufficiently addressed these challenges. In this Comment, we conceptualize urban AI security as a socio-technical challenge encompassing two interrelated dimensions: algorithmic accountability and infrastructure security. The former concerns transparency, auditability, and mechanisms for accountability in AI-assisted public decision-making, while the latter involves the robustness and resilience of AI-embedded urban infrastructures against failures and attacks. We first examine the current governance landscape of urban AI and then analyze these two dimensions to identify key risks and policy gaps. Note that this Comment focuses on AI systems deployed in urban governance and infrastructure, rather than general or purely commercial AI applications. The governance vacuum in urban AI Despite the increasing integration of AI into municipal services and infrastructure, there
Jul 15, 2026 · via nature.com
Vection Technologies Secures $7.5m Smart City AI Framework Deal with URBANnext TipRanks Welcomes a New ETF â NYSE:RANK - TipRanks has entered a new arena in the investing world, powering the index of an ETF based on its unique data now trading under the ticker RANK on the NYSE. - RANK tracks the performance of the TipRanks US Momentum Analysts Index, a rules-based index of 50 large U.S. companies. Vection Technologies Ltd. ( (AU:VR1) ) just unveiled an update. Vection Technologies has signed a three-year framework agreement with Switzerland-based URBANnext SA, a digital transformation specialist for smart cities and public services across Europe. Under the deal, URBANnext will use and commercialise Vectionâs Algho AI platform and related services, including software licences, integration, implementation and ongoing support, within its public and private sector client base. The agreement establishes a minimum annual purchase commitment of $2.5 million and a minimum total contract value of $7.5 million, creating a committed revenue floor while allowing upside from additional projects. By leveraging URBANnextâs established relationships with European municipalities, public authorities and infrastructure operators, Vection advances its indirect channel strategy and extends Alghoâs reach into key European smart city markets that would be harder to access through direct sales alone. Management emphasised that the framework is structured to grow with multi-phase smart city and infrastructure programs, where deployments typically expand after successful pilots. Each project will be governed by separate orders under the framework, creating a structured pipeline of potential Algho deployments and positioning Vection to benefit from the increasing adoption of AI in managing complex urban environments. The most recent analyst rating on (AU:VR1) stock is a Buy with a A$0.07 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Vection Technologies Ltd. stock, see the AU:VR1 Stock Forecast page. More about Vection
Jul 14, 2026 · via theglobeandmail.com
Delphi360 unifies data from sensors, equipment, infrastructure, energy systems, and physical environments with digital twin context and AI-assisted intelligence, helping teams understand what is happening, why it matters, and what to do next. CHAPEL HILL, N.C., July 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IotaCommÂź, an operational intelligence company, today announced the next generation of Delphi360Âź, its AI-powered operational intelligence platform for connected physical environments. Engineered to harness the scalability and efficiency of LoRaWANÂź and to integrate seamlessly with existing operational technology (OT), building systems, and enterprise applications, Delphi360 unifies devices, data, assets, spaces, infrastructure, energy, environmental conditions, and operational context into a single, AI-driven decision-support platform. Physical operations are generating more data than ever from sensors, equipment, energy systems, environmental monitors, building systems, and operational technology. Yet many organizations still rely on disconnected dashboards, alerts, reports, and systems, making it difficult to understand what is happening, where, why it may matter, and what to investigate first. Delphi360 is built to close that gap by moving customers from fragmented data to operational understanding. The platform connects and organizes operational data, places it in physical context, analyzes relationships across signals, and uses AI-assisted intelligence to help teams prioritize issues, surface opportunities, and make better-informed decisions. From Monitoring to Operational Intelligence "For decades, we've built intelligence into everything except the places where we actually live and work. Buildings, campuses, and entire cities generate signals all day, yet most organizations can't hear them," said Terrence DeFranco, Chief Executive Officer of IotaComm. "Teaching the physical world to speak is one of the hardest problems in technology. It means connecting equipment that was never designed to connect and building AI that understands not just data but the real places and systems behind it. Every organization's two largest investments are its people and its physical assets, and until now,
Jul 14, 2026 · via prnewswire.com
ThoughtLab Collaborates with Urban Leaders to Provide Cities with an Evidence-Based AI Playbook and Benchmarking Model Published Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 6:07 a.m. Updated Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 6:07 a.m. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 14, 2026-- Breakthroughs in AI offer cities extraordinary opportunities to improve economic competitiveness, social impact, and citizen services. But realizing AIâs full potential will only happen if urban leaders are able to overcome challenges around governance, data, resources, and public trust. To help city leaders navigate this path, global research firm ThoughtLab today announced the formation of a multi-stakeholder research coalition to develop an evidence-based AI playbook and benchmarking model for cities. Coalition members include leaders from across the urban ecosystem, including Dell Technologies, FedEx, FTI Consulting, General Motors, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Wireside Communications. The flagship research program, Building an AI-First City, will analyze the AI strategies, investment plans, and performance results of hundreds of worldwide cities. The study will draw on proprietary benchmarking data, a curated repository of municipal AI strategies and policy documents, and in-depth collaboration with public-sector leaders, innovators, and technology partners. "AI is triggering a new era of urban transformation that will fundamentally reshape how cities provide value and services to residents, businesses, and communities,â said Lou Celi, CEO of ThoughtLab. "The research will equip urban leaders with evidence-based insights, valuable benchmarks, and proven strategies to deploy AI responsibly, securely and effectively. Our goal is to help cities harness AI into a force multiplier to drive economic growth, social impact, and sustainability, while being sensitive to citizen concerns.â A comprehensive view into AI innovation across cities The study will examine the full spectrum of latest AI solutions, including agentic, generative, edge, multimodal, physical AI, and sovereign AIâand their integration with critical urban systems, such as digital twins, cloud platforms, IoT,
Jul 14, 2026 · via lasvegassun.com
What is included in this Sample? - * Market Segmentation - * Key Findings - * Research Scope - * Table of Content - * Report Structure - * Report Methodology Download FREE Sample Report 5G Security Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Solutions, Services), By Application (Manufacturing, Healthcare, Energy and Utilities, Retail, Automotive and Transportation, Public Safety, Media and Entertainment, Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2035 Trending Insights Global Leaders in Strategy and Innovation Rely on Our Expertise to Seize Growth Opportunities Our Research is the Cornerstone of 1000 Firms to Stay in the Lead 1000 Top Companies Partner with Us to Explore Fresh Revenue Channels - Download Free Sample to learn more about this report 5G SECURITY MARKET OVERVIEW The global 5G Security Market size estimated at USD 1.72 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 11.43 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 23.38% from 2026 to 2035. I need the full data tables, segment breakdown, and competitive landscape for detailed regional analysis and revenue estimates. Download Free SampleThe 5G Security Market is expanding as standalone 5G networks, cloud-native cores, private networks, edge computing, network slicing, and massive IoT deployments create new cybersecurity requirements. Global 5G subscriptions surpassed 2.3 billion in 2024, while 5G population coverage reached approximately 55%. More than 300 communications service providers had commercially launched 5G services, increasing demand for authentication, encryption, threat detection, signaling security, API protection, and zero-trust architecture. The 5G Security Market increasingly addresses distributed infrastructure where networks can support 1 million connected devices per square kilometer and latency can approach 1 millisecond under optimized conditions. The USA represents one of the most advanced markets for 5G security adoption, supported by nationwide network deployment, private 5G investment, cybersecurity regulations, and critical-infrastructure modernization. By 2024,
Jul 14, 2026 · via businessresearchinsights.com
Simply increasing tree cover does not always make cities cooler. In humid urban areas, dense tree canopies can even raise the Heat Index by trapping moisture. This is according to a new study published in Nature Communications and highlighted by a Mongabay-India (MI) report. Titled âDense canopies reverse the cooling effect of urban greening in humid citiesâ, the studyâs abstract points out that urban greening is widely promoted as an adaptation strategy to cope with rising heat stress; however, its effectiveness remains uneven, especially across rapidly warming cities of the Global South. Vegetation can cool urban environments but can also intensify humidity and thermal discomfort, raising questions about when green adaptation succeeds or backfires. The study assesses how vegetation structure and function influence the Heat Index (HI), a humidity-adjusted measure of perceived heat, across 138 Indian cities spanning diverse climates. Findings indicate that green adaptation can shift from a cooling asset to a humid-heat liability under some conditions, underscoring the need for climate-responsive and equitable design strategies in the Global South. The cooling benefits of urban trees depend on a combination of canopy structure, photosynthetic activity, local climate, urban density and airflow, rather than tree cover alone, says the MI report. It adds that researchers argue that urban greening must be climate-smart, prioritising the right tree species, the right locations and thoughtful planting design over simply planting more trees. Instead of looking only at air temperature or land surface temperature, the study focused on the HI which is the âfeels likeâ temperature that combines heat and humidity because humans respond to both temperature and moisture in the air. The study finds that while urban trees generally help cool cities by providing shade, reducing incoming solar radiation, and lowering surface temperatures, these benefits vary in different cities. In humid cities, dense
Jul 14, 2026 · via gulftoday.ae
Newsroom Nicosia Municipality has become one of the main partners in a European project designed to develop a new generation of connected digital twins for cities, supporting smarter urban planning and the continued digital development of local authorities. The 18-month initiative, known as Municipal, has a budget of almost âŹ2 million and is financed by the European Commission through the Digital Europe Programme. The project officially began with a launch meeting in Murcia, Spain, where representatives from seven organisations in Cyprus, Greece, Denmark and Spain agreed on the first phase of work. Their initial objective is to connect the digital twin platforms used by participating cities, making it possible to securely exchange data, technology and digital services. As part of the collaboration, Nicosia and Murcia will jointly develop smart city applications covering transport, energy efficiency, urban planning, public resource management and municipal services. The long-term objective is to establish a European network of interoperable digital twins, giving public authorities the ability to share information securely and support policy decisions using real-time data. The project brings together technology companies, universities and public authorities. The consortium includes Ubitech, the Technical University of Denmark, Murcia Municipality, Ai-nergy, Nicosia Municipality, the PHAETHON Centre of Excellence at the University of Cyprus and Odins. According to Nicosia Municipality, participation in the programme will strengthen the capital's digital infrastructure, provide access to European expertise and support the delivery of more efficient public services centred on residents.
Jul 14, 2026 · via knews.kathimerini.com.cy
Women Future Cities launches first South America chapter Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 14,2026 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 14,2026 MUSCAT: Women Future Cities (WFC), a global initiative founded in Oman, has launched its first chapter in South America with the establishment of the Peru Chapter during a special ceremony held at the Republic of Peru Pavilion on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan. The milestone marks a significant step in WFCâs international expansion and highlights the growing global momentum to empower women as key contributors in shaping smarter, more sustainable and inclusive cities. Yamile Tenorio has been appointed as Head of the Women Future Cities Peru Chapter and will lead efforts to engage women from diverse sectors, promoting innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, sustainability and community development across Peru. Laila al Hadhrami, Chairwoman of Women Future Cities, said the opening of the Peru Chapter represents a major milestone in creating a global network of women leaders and changemakers. 'The launch of our Peru Chapter is an important milestone in our journey toward building a truly global network of women leaders and changemakers. South America is home to tremendous talent, innovation and potential, and we look forward to collaborating with women in Peru to drive positive impact within their communities and beyond,' she said. Founded in Oman, Women Future Cities has developed into an international platform focused on womenâs empowerment, knowledge exchange, leadership development and collaboration to build future-ready communities. The Peru Chapter will focus on WFCâs four core pillars: leadership and community development, smart technologies, environment and sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Through workshops, community programmes, leadership initiatives and strategic partnerships, the chapter aims to equip women with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to lead meaningful change and contribute to the development of smart and sustainable communities. The launch follows
Jul 14, 2026 · via omanobserver.om
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs âScaling Urban Climate Resilience: The CapaCITIES Legacy and Way Forwardâ an event to celebrate the progress of CapaCITIES programme held in New Delhi today Three CapaCITIES Knowledge Products launched CapaCITIES creates a blueprint for urban climate resilience Posted On: 14 JUL 2026 6:28PM by PIB Delhi Celebrating the progress made over a decade of the CapaCITIES programme an event âScaling Urban Climate Resilience: The CapaCITIES Legacy and Way Forwardâ, organized by ICLEI South Asia and National Institute of Urban Affairs, was held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 14 July 2026. CapaCITIES programme, has equipped Indian cities with the knowledge, tools, and institutional capacities to mainstream low-carbon, climate-resilient development into urban governance, About the CapaCITIES project Launched in 2016 and funded by the Embassy of Switzerland to India and Bhutan, the Capacity Building Project on Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India (CapaCITIES) programme has driven low-carbon, climate-resilient urban development. By directly strengthening local capabilities, the programme has supported India's 2070 net-zero emissions objective by aligning local action with national missions and state-level goals. The initiative was implemented through a collaborative partnership involving ICLEI South Asia, South Pole and econcept, with the National Institute of Urban Affairs as the knowledge partner.Cities of Coimbatore, Thiruchirappalli Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara, Udaipur and Siliguri and the state governments of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu received support from this project. About the Event The convening gathered senior government officials, mayors, commissioners and engineers from 30+ cities, representatives from 6 state governments, high-level representatives from financial institutions, and technical experts to review a decade of building local climate capabilities and chart the future of urban sustainability. The inaugural session was attended by Mr Gopal Prasad, Economic Adviser, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government
Jul 14, 2026 · via pib.gov.in
Dive Brief: - Energy affordability is a growing political issue heading into elections this fall, and thatâs helping to build awareness about heat pumps, the Building Decarbonization Coalition says in a report, released Tuesday. - âUtility bills [are] increasingly appearing in campaign debates over cost of living, utility profits, rate cases, data centers, climate policy, and corporate accountability,â BDC says in a press release announcing its Q2 momentum report. - âBuildings are central to securing long-term energy affordability,â Kristin George Bagdanov, BDCâs associate director of research, said in a statement. Dive Insight: Residential energy bills have risen by a median of roughly 17% from 2019 to 2024, which alongside a slew of rate increases and increases tied to data center development have raised the profile of energy affordability as an issue, according to the report. There have been 22 building decarbonization bills focused on energy affordability and consumer protections introduced in 12 state legislatures this year, with 10 passed into law, the report says. Among the bills are Californiaâs AB 2313, which would require gas utilities to offer customers an incentive not to replace an old gas service line; Virginiaâs SB72, which aims to shift customers from oil or propane to electric heat pumps; and Marylandâs Utility RELIEF Act, which updates the stateâs energy investment fund to buttress support of building electrification. The legislative effort shows that states are using affordability policy to address monthly bill pressure and the underlying systems that determine how energy costs are distributed, which in many cases will result in additional heat pump adoption, BDC says in its report. Against efforts like these, candidates at all levels can see how energy affordability is on votersâ minds, the report says. âFailing to include building decarbonization policy in energy platforms indicates that a candidate doesnât have a
Jul 14, 2026 · via facilitiesdive.com
Dive Brief: - Pedestrian deaths declined 7% in 2025 from the previous year, according to a Governors Highway Safety Association report released today. Drivers killed 6,732 people last year, compared to 7,237 in 2024, based on data from states and Washington, D.C. - Last yearâs pedestrian death toll marks the third consecutive year of declines from a peak of 7,737 deaths in 2022 but remains above the 2019 total of 6,412 fatalities. - The report also includes data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationâs reporting system, which found that most pedestrian collisions with motor vehicles occurred in urban areas but crashes in rural areas are more likely to be fatal due to higher speeds and longer response times for medical assistance. Dive Insight: Although pedestrian deaths have declined in recent years, they represent an increasing percentage of all motor vehicle fatalities, the report states. In 2023 and 2024, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 18% of all such deaths, up from 15.5% in 2015. The GHSA, based on NHTSA data, highlighted driver distraction as a factor in nearly 22% of pedestrian fatalities in 2024 and alcohol impairment as a factor among drivers aged 16 to 24. It also noted that light trucks, which include SUVs, pickup trucks and vans, accounted for just over half of all pedestrian deaths in 2024. âStates are ramping up their infrastructure, education and enforcement programs and looking to technology to better protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users,â the report states. New Mexico has the most pedestrian deaths on a per capita basis, with an estimated 4.27 per 100,000 people in 2025. The state will begin adding pedestrian safety to driver education programs and has increased its focus on vulnerable road users in road safety audits. In Southern California, trained community members conduct walking and bicycling
Jul 14, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com