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Developing <b>sustainable cities</b> and communities | Vision

Sustainable futures Developing sustainable cities and communities Understanding how to measure and guide sustainable urban growth is becoming increasingly important as cities evolve and expand. As centres of economic activity and innovation, cities have a unique opportunity to balance industrial development with environmental responsibility and social wellbeing. ESG principles offer a valuable framework for achieving this, extending beyond corporate use to inform more holistic, data-driven decision-making at city level. This research embraces that opportunity, transforming ESG from a high-level concept into a practical, measurable tool to support Ningbo’s journey towards a more sustainable and resilient future. How do you measure the sustainability of a city that is constantly evolving, economically, socially and environmentally? For Ningbo, one of China’s fastest growing and most dynamic urban centres, this question sits at the heart of its future. As global pressure mounts to deliver low-carbon, resilient and inclusive growth, cities like Ningbo must find new ways to balance industrial strength with environmental responsibility and social wellbeing. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles offer part of the answer. Widely used in the corporate world, they provide a framework for assessing performance beyond traditional economic metrics. But at city level, applying ESG in a meaningful, measurable way remains a challenge. This research sets out to change concept into a practical tool for urban transformation. A city-focused approach to ESG innovation Commissioned by the Ningbo Municipal Development and Reform Commission, this flagship carbon peaking and independent research project was led by Professor Jing Dai, Chair Professor in Sustainable Operations and Technology Management at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Working at the intersection of policy, data and sustainability science, the team developed a bespoke ESG evaluation framework designed specifically for Ningbo. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all model, the research reflects the city’s unique identity, from its position

Vibrant business climate, industrial clusters propel &quot;<b>city</b> of <b>future</b>&quot; into innovation powerhouse

Vibrant business climate, industrial clusters propel "city of future" into innovation powerhouse SHIJIAZHUANG, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, biotechnology and low-altitude economy are among an array of cutting-edge technologies spanning diverse fields that help animate a major industrial park in the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province. The Xiong'an New Area, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, was established on April 1, 2017, to relieve Beijing of non-essential functions related to its status as the nation's capital. The emerging modern city is now positioned to become a pioneering innovation hub and a model of promoting high-quality development. Wang Shiyuan, president of Victory Traffic Science and Technology Co., Ltd., believes he made the right decision by relocating his company to the new area in 2020. Having sold smart traffic signal systems and other intelligent transportation products to over 10 countries worldwide, including the United States, Germany and Mexico, the entrepreneur said the Xiong'an New Area itself serves as a powerful calling card for his business. "Last year, I took my clients from Central Asian countries to the new area, as they were all aware of its high national standing," he said. "When they learned that my company's products had already been deployed in Xiong'an, they immediately gained greater confidence in our technology." The appeal of Xiong'an, however, goes even further. According to Wang, the industrial cluster effect in the new area has helped his company reduce costs by 15 percent, as Xiong'an has brought together a host of enterprises in electronic information, intelligent transportation and AI. "Whenever I need something, such as a software upgrade, I simply post the request in an online chat group that connects several hundred firms in the new area's Zhongguancun Science Park," he said. "Within minutes, someone will reply

Beam Global Relocates Manufacturing Operations to Yuma, AZ

Beam Global Relocates Manufacturing Operations to Yuma, AZ Significant Economic Benefits Include Rent Savings of $2.7M During Term SAN DIEGO, June 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beam Global, (Nasdaq: BEEM), a leading provider of innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions for transportation, energy security and smart cities infrastructure, today announced that it will relocate its California manufacturing and production operations to Yuma, Arizona. The Company intends to maintain its corporate headquarters in San Diego, California. Beam Global’s manufacturing and office facilities in Chicago IL, Belgrade and Kraljevo, Serbia and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, will continue to operate without change. The new Yuma campus consists of two adjacent industrial buildings, totaling approximately 55,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space. Beam Global will occupy the first building on July 15, 2026, and the second on January 1, 2027, under lease terms extending through July 31, 2031. The Company has the right to purchase the property at a favorable fixed price throughout the term of the lease. Production will continue without interruption during the transition. The relocation is expected to improve Beam Global’s gross margins by lowering its cost of production. The Company anticipates rent savings of approximately $400,000 in 2026 and $2.7 million over the five-year lease term compared to current rent in San Diego, California. Beam Global also expects to benefit from Arizona’s more affordable overall cost environment, including labor, benefits, insurance, utilities, regulatory and other operating costs. Further financial benefits may be realized through various incentive programs offered by the city of Yuma and the state of Arizona. Together, these improvements are expected to accelerate the Company’s continued progress toward higher gross profit and cash flow positive operations. Beam Global’s new Yuma factory is located in a manufacturing zone with favorable access to road and rail connections. Management

[VS Special] &quot;AI Goes Beyond Buildings, Operates <b>Cities</b>&quot;… The Real Estate Industry Opens ...

What AI is changing is not buildings, but the way cities move. The real estate industry is also changing rapidly following the generative AI craze. However, the direction of this change differs slightly from expectations. This is because AI is evolving beyond simply summarizing contracts or handling consultations, moving toward a direction that connects spaces, people, and data into a single operating system. In its recently released report , "Where AI is Creating Real Value in Real Estate," global consulting firm McKinsey assessed that the use of AI in the real estate industry is reaching a full-scale turning point. The report did not find the true value of AI in document creation or the automation of repetitive tasks. Instead, it argues that the core role of AI is to redesign operational methods by connecting previously fragmented tasks—such as lease advisory, facility operations, investment analysis, and asset management—into a single workflow. McKinsey projected that these changes could generate economic value of up to $430 billion to $550 billion across the entire real estate value chain. Ultimately, this means that the competitiveness of the real estate industry in the AI era depends not on adding more features, but on how naturally data is connected and operations are optimized. AI Beyond the Lab… The Entire City Becomes a Platform This kind of change is also evident in future city projects currently underway in Japan. The "City within a City" project, spearheaded by the National Science Tokyo Institute, integrates research facilities with residential, commercial, medical, and mobility spaces into a single environment, transforming the actual living environment itself into a testing ground for technology. While existing smart cities focused on introducing technology into the city, this project differs in that it designed the city itself as a massive Living Lab. It created a structure

[Research Contribution] How Can a <b>Smart City</b> Truly Be a Livable City?

26 Jun, 2026 1. No poverty 2. Zero hunger 3. Good health and well-being 4. Quality Education 5. Gender equality 6. Clean water and sanitation 7. Affordable and clean energy 8. Decent work and economic growth 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure 10. Reduced inequalities 11. Sustainable cities and communities 12. Responsible consumption and production 13. Climate action 14. Life below water 15. Life on land 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions 17. Partnership for the goals [Research Contribution] How Can a Smart City Truly Be a Livable City? UEH Wellbeing - Flourishing University: 4 Action Series, 1 Journey to Co-create a Comprehensive Happy University Environment at UEH Hackathon Day at LOMAR 2026: Refining Proposals, Connecting Creative Ideas with Local Development Needs [UEH 50 Global Partners] UEH Promotes Cooperation with Worms University of Applied Sciences, Germany New UEH Publications Alert (Week 3 - June 2026): Interdisciplinary Breakthroughs in Green Finance, Digital Technologies, and Applied Engineering

Riyadh, Tokyo discuss cooperation on <b>smart cities</b> and digital transformation | Arab News PK

RIYADH: Riyadh Region Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike held virtual talks on strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise in digital transformation and smart city development. The meeting, attended by Saudi and Japanese officials, focused on digital transformation and its applications in urban management, as well as developments in smart cities, artificial intelligence and data-driven municipal services. The two sides discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by digital transformation and its role in enhancing public services, improving the efficiency of city management and supporting sustainable urban development. They also explored ways to exchange technical expertise and benefit from international best practices in developing municipal services, improving quality of life and leveraging advanced technologies to optimize city operations and better serve residents. Prince Faisal and Koike underscored the importance of maintaining communication between their respective teams and identifying opportunities for future cooperation to strengthen ties between Riyadh and Tokyo while promoting knowledge sharing between the two capitals.

Why the <b>future</b> belongs to wise <b>cities</b>, not just <b>smart</b> ones | SMU Newsroom

In a commentary, SMU President Professor Lily Kong reflects on discussions at the recent World Cities Summit (WCS) and argues that the future belongs not only to smart cities, but to wise ones. While AI, predictive analytics and data-rich systems can help cities become more efficient and responsive, Prof Kong cautions that cities are not experienced cognitively alone, but also through memory, attachment, beauty, belonging and trust. She defines the wise city as one that uses technology to inform judgment and asks who is served, who may be left behind, and what kind of society is being built for the long term. She also highlights the need for cities to plan for future populations, preserve social trust and community resilience, and move from sustainability towards deeper stewardship. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

FAU I-SENSE Evolves to Reflect Decade of Impact Across <b>Cities</b>, Spaces

FAU I-SENSE Evolves to Reflect Decade of Impact Across Cities, Spaces by Gisele Galoustian | Thursday, Jun 25, 2026After more than a decade of advancing sensing technologies and intelligent systems, Florida Atlantic University’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE) is evolving its identity. As part of its continued evolution, I-SENSE will be renamed I-SENSE: The Institute for Smarter Cities, Spaces, and Health. The new name captures the breadth of the institute’s real-world impact, while its core mission remains unchanged. Since its founding in 2015, I-SENSE researchers have developed tools and systems that help communities, industries and organizations better understand and respond to the world around them. The institute has worked alongside academia, industry and government partners to address challenges ranging from coastal resilience and public infrastructure to healthcare and national security. “This new identity is not a change in our mission,” said Jason Hallstrom, Ph.D., executive director of I-SENSE. “It is a more precise articulation of the work we have always done. Our researchers develop technologies that help people understand complex environments, make informed decisions and solve real-world problems. The new name reflects the places where that impact is most visible today.” I-SENSE has grown into a university-wide research hub including more than 80 members and 12 faculty fellows spanning engineering, computer science, ocean science, medicine and many other disciplines. Together, institute-affiliated researchers have generated more than $76 million in external research funding as principal investigators, securing a return on investment exceeding 5-to-1 for the university. Beyond funding, the institute’s faculty and students have produced patents, startups and nationally recognized research infrastructure and innovations. “Although the breadth of I-SENSE’s impact cannot be measured by any single metric, its accomplishments demonstrate a sustained commitment to innovation with purpose,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU’s vice president for research. “Through

FEMA offers $1.5B in anti-terrorism funding as local governments assume larger security role

Dive Brief: - The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday announced more than $1.5 billion in funding opportunities across seven preparedness grant programs to help communities fight terrorism and other threats. - More than $1 billion is available through FEMA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program, designed to help state and local governments improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, strengthen critical infrastructure cybersecurity, protect the integrity of U.S. elections, support border security efforts and enhance protection at large events. - FEMA also made more than $500 million available for six grant programs protecting houses of worship, port authorities, local and territorial government agencies, transportation infrastructure, Amtrak and intercity bus systems from acts of terrorism. Dive Insight: Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order shifting more responsibility for disaster preparedness from FEMA to local governments in March 2025, cities and states have filed multiple lawsuits attempting to claw back federal funding opportunities. A U.S. District Court judge in March ordered FEMA to reverse its termination of $4.5 billion in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program funding. FEMA has made $1 billion in federal funding available through the newly relaunched program, which helps states and local governments to protect their communities from natural disasters. In April, FEMA announced more than $250 million in Flood Mitigation Assistance awards to help states reduce their risk and prevent damage from flood disasters. Earlier this month, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a 2027 Homeland Security spending bill that proposes $34.1 billion for FEMA programs — an increase of more than $2 billion over current funding. That bill now moves to the full House for consideration. Robert Fenton, the senior official performing the duties of the FEMA administrator until the Senate approves a permanent chief, said in a statement that the funding opportunities announced

Living on the Edge: <b>Smarter</b> Tools, Stronger Service, Built for Where Decisions Happen

Officers and Paramedics in the Field Law enforcement officers operating in high-stakes situations need information immediately. Body-worn cameras with integrated edge AI deliver analysis locally, sending audio alerts directly to an officer’s earpiece without routing every frame to a precinct server. Processing happens at the source, reducing latency and transmission overhead while ensuring relevant event data reaches central command quickly and efficiently. Critical information arrives when it is needed most, and cloud systems receive the event summaries that support broader oversight, analytics and evidentiary storage. For emergency medical services, the stakes are equally high. Paramedics equipped with edge-compute systems analyze patient vitals and diagnostic imagery the moment data is collected. The system cross-references a locally cached version of a patient’s medical history to flag potential drug interactions or allergic reactions before the ambulance reaches the hospital. Specialized treatment begins minutes sooner, and the emergency room receives a data summary before the patient arrives. In golden-hour scenarios, starting that process at the point of care rather than waiting for a server response changes outcomes. READ MORE: Here are four ways that governments can modernize emergency contact centers. Serving Residents Closer to Where They Are For agencies operating in communities where connectivity is inconsistent, field-workers benefit from the same principle. Social services workers using offline-first mobile applications document cases, access records and process requests locally, with data syncing seamlessly to central systems when a connection is available. The architecture prioritizes continuous service delivery as a design choice, not as a contingency, ensuring residents receive consistent support regardless of where they live. Road maintenance and transportation agencies are seeing similar gains. On-vehicle AI detection systems analyze road surfaces in real time, identifying potholes, pavement deterioration and conditions that signal upcoming maintenance needs. Processing happens on the vehicle itself, enabling immediate flagging of issues

Thunderbird programs ranked No. 3 in the US by Financial Times | ASU News

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has once again earned recognition among the world’s premier providers of executive education. In the 2026 Financial Times Executive Education rankings, Thunderbird’s custom executive education programs were ranked No. 3 among U.S.-based institutions. This achievement marks the third consecutive year Thunderbird has secured a top-three position in the U.S., underscoring the school’s reputation for delivering transformative and highly customized learning experiences. Thunderbird’s executive education programs serve leaders and teams from global corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations around the world. Each custom program is thoughtfully co-created with clients to align with their strategic priorities, organizational culture and leadership objectives. “We are honored that organizations around the world continue to place their trust in Thunderbird as a partner in developing their leaders,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Our immersive, globally focused learning experiences are designed to help executives lead with agility, think across borders and navigate the challenges of an increasingly complex and fast-changing world.” The Financial Times ranking evaluated 100 institutions and their custom program offerings based on direct client feedback in areas such as program design, faculty, preparation, teaching methods and materials, new skills and learning, aims achieved, value for money, future use and follow-up. Several criteria are also calculated from information provided by schools, including number of international clients, overseas programs, revenue growth, partner schools and faculty diversity. The 2026 rankings also placed Thunderbird No. 1 globally for international clients — ahead of the University of Oxford (Saïd), INSEAD and IMD — reflecting the substantial number of corporations and organizations headquartered outside the United States that participated in Thunderbird’s custom executive education offerings. The recognition marks a significant rise for Thunderbird, which climbed from No. 13 in 2025 and No. 16 in both 2024 and

Could Underground Waste Management be the <b>Future</b> of Clean <b>Cities</b>?

Could Underground Waste Management be the Future of Clean Cities? New York City’s iconic, 23-ton collection fleets rumble through every one of its boroughs like clockwork — except on Roosevelt Island. Trucks and cars are kept to a bare minimum on this remote, floating strip of land. So instead of getting hauled off by vehicles, garbage travels underground. New York City’s iconic, 23-ton collection fleets rumble through every one of its boroughs like clockwork — except on Roosevelt Island. Trucks and cars are kept to a bare minimum on this remote, floating strip of land. So instead of getting hauled off by vehicles, garbage travels underground. Beneath the streets, high-powered turbines suck waste through a massive network of pneumatic tubes at up to 60 miles per hour. Developed in the 1960’s by the Swedish company Envac, this automated vacuum system swallows about 5.5 pounds of trash a day. Discards residents drop in chutes in their buildings land at a centralized island facility where it’s compacted, sealed in containers, loaded onto New York Department of Sanitation trucks, and driven away for disposal. While Roosevelt Island’s system is rare in the U.S., such pneumatic networks are common in space-constrained European cities and elsewhere. Envac installations operate in smart cities, hospitals, airports, and residential developments across more than 40 countries. The Swedish tech developer reports the technology reduces carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to more traditional trash collection. No trucks. No diesel fumes. And the enclosed systems keep rats and odors at bay. Some cities report good news for their fiscal bottom lines. Bergen, Norway, says its subsurface network, while carrying high upfront costs, is saving $2 million annually in trash collection. Kissimmee, Florida, was the first to debut underground waste collection in the States back in 2017. Though the technology,

Joint Workshop Held to Strengthen Collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Group ...

June 25, 2026 Joint Workshop Held to Strengthen Collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Group (Singapore) and SMEC (Australia) On June 17, 2026, Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. held a workshop at its Tokyo Headquarters aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Group (SJ Group), Singapore’s largest consulting firm, and its Australia-based group company, SMEC. Group photo of participants Workshop In 2017, OC Global signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SMEC to expand the partnership, promoting the strengthening of joint projects and personnel exchanges. In addition, in 2023, OC Global concluded another MoU with the SJ Group to strengthen collaboration and explore opportunities for joint projects with the company. At the workshop, to explore further opportunities for collaboration in the future, participants agreed to jointly promote business development through the use of DX. Presentations and exchanges of views were also held on collaboration in the fields of smart cities, architecture, rail systems, and inbound business. Surbana Jurong Group (SJ Group) Headquartered in Singapore, the SJ Group is a comprehensive engineering firm with a history of over 70 years. The company has more than 120 offices across 40 countries worldwide and a global workforce of 16,000 people, including architects, designers, planners, engineers, and facilities managers. The SJ Group is a diverse organization that constantly generates new ideas and addresses various urban challenges to create a smart and sustainable future. SMEC Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, SMEC is a group company of the SJ Group. With approximately 100 offices in 40 countries, SMEC is a consulting firm engaged in a wide range of fields, including hydropower, renewable energy, transportation infrastructure, such as roads, railways, airports, and ports, and water and wastewater management. OC Global will collaborate with leading consulting firms in various countries to implement high-quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure development.

Algorithms and the mountain | Nature <b>Cities</b>

The seamless logic of digital platforms often stumbles upon the stubborn reality of geography. Renhao Yang explores Chongqing’s extreme verticality, and reflects on how traditional labor bridges the gap between flat algorithmic maps and the complex terrain of the mountain city. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles $119.00 per year only $9.92 per issue Buy this article - Purchase on SpringerLink - Instant access to the full article PDF. USD 39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout References - Roast, A. Urban Stud. 61, 636–653 (2024). - Cheshmehzangi, A. City Walks in Chongqing (Springer, 2025). Acknowledgements The author was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42401238). Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Ethics declarations Competing interests The author declares no competing interests. Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article Yang, R. Algorithms and the mountain. Nat Cities (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-026-00468-2 - Published: - Version of record: - DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-026-00468-2

Why the <b>future</b> belongs to wise <b>cities</b>, not just <b>smart</b> ones | The Straits Times

For subscribers Commentary Why the future belongs to wise cities, not just smart ones Smart cities are powered by technology. Wise cities are grounded in human values. Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox For more than two decades, the idea of the smart city has shaped urban policy around the world. The promise was compelling. By harnessing data, sensors, digital platforms and advanced analytics, cities could become more efficient, sustainable and responsive. Traffic congestion could be reduced. Energy consumption could be optimised. Public services could be delivered with greater precision. Urban systems could be monitored in real time and managed with unprecedented sophistication. In many respects, that promise is now reality in many cities. Cities today possess capabilities that would have seemed remarkable only a generation ago. Real-time transport information guides commuters. Digital government services simplify interactions between citizens and the state. Sophisticated modelling tools help planners anticipate future needs. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is being deployed to support decision-making across domains ranging from healthcare to mobility and public safety. Technology has become an integral part of urban life. Yet, as mayors, planners, academics and other city leaders gathered in Singapore recently for the 10th World Cities Summit, an important question arises: is being smart enough? Increasingly, the answer is no. Beyond optimisation The challenges confronting cities have never been merely technical. They are also social, ethical and, increasingly, existential. Climate change demands difficult trade-offs. Artificial intelligence raises questions about fairness and accountability. Ageing populations require new approaches to care and inclusion. Rising inequality threatens social cohesion. Geopolitical uncertainty complicates economic planning. These are not problems that can be solved through optimisation alone. They require wisdom. The “wise city”, a concept with roots in urban scholarship, shifts the focus of urban intelligence from technological optimisation towards human

Riyadh mayor, Tokyo governor discuss cooperation in digital transformation, <b>smart cities</b>

Riyadh mayor, Tokyo governor discuss cooperation in digital transformation, smart cities RIYADH — Mayor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike held on Wednesday virtual talks on cooperation and the exchange of expertise between the two capitals in digital transformation and smart city development. The meeting, attended by Saudi and Japanese officials, included discussions on digital transformation and its applications in urban management, as well as on smart cities, artificial intelligence, and data. The two sides also exchanged views on key challenges and opportunities associated with digital transformation and its role in enhancing urban services and improving the efficiency of city management. Discussions covered opportunities to share knowledge and technical expertise, as well as ways to benefit from leading international experiences in developing municipal services, improving the quality of life, and leveraging advanced technologies to support city operations and enhance services for residents. Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining communication between their teams and exploring opportunities for cooperation to strengthen ties between Riyadh and Tokyo and promote knowledge sharing between the two cities.

Building Information Modeling Market Growth Driven by Autodesk, Bentley Systems &amp; Trimble

The global Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market is undergoing a significant transformation as governments, construction firms, infrastructure developers, and technology providers increasingly embrace digital construction methodologies. The growing adoption of BIM platforms from industry leaders such as Autodesk, Bentley Systems, and Trimble is reshaping how buildings and infrastructure assets are planned, designed, constructed, and managed throughout their lifecycle. According to industry projections, the global building information modeling market size was valued at USD 9.03 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 15.42 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period. This growth reflects the industry's shift toward data-driven project delivery, enhanced collaboration, sustainability objectives, and improved operational efficiency. As digital twins, cloud-based collaboration, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart city initiatives gain momentum, BIM is becoming a foundational technology for the future of construction and infrastructure management. The construction industry has historically faced challenges related to project delays, budget overruns, fragmented workflows, and communication gaps among stakeholders. BIM addresses these issues by creating intelligent digital representations of physical assets that can be shared and updated in real time. Unlike traditional 2D design processes, BIM enables architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers to collaborate within a centralized digital environment. This integrated approach improves project visualization, clash detection, resource planning, and lifecycle asset management. As urbanization continues and governments invest heavily in transportation networks, smart buildings, renewable energy infrastructure, and public facilities, BIM adoption is becoming increasingly critical to ensuring project efficiency and sustainability. The convergence of BIM with emerging digital technologies is creating substantial growth opportunities across the construction ecosystem. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are helping organizations automate design optimization, risk assessment, and project scheduling. Cloud-based BIM platforms are enabling distributed teams to collaborate seamlessly regardless of location, improving productivity and reducing errors. Additionally,

Trump roadblock stops Road to Housing Act after it passes Congress | <b>Smart Cities</b> Dive

Dive Brief: - President Donald Trump said today that he will not sign major housing legislation until Congress approves his bill to put new restrictions on voting. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act Tuesday following the Senate’s earlier approval. - The bipartisan housing bill bolsters existing federal assistance such as Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnership Program, unlocks new financing tools and eases certain regulatory burdens for localities, municipal groups say. - The housing legislation comes amid subdued national housing activity as local government leaders call housing affordability the most pressing concern for their communities. Dive Insight: Trump, who previously has called for increased housing production, was largely expected to sign the bill before this morning’s political maneuver. Today he said on social media the bill was “of minor importance” compared with lower interest rates and other national issues such as the SAVE America Act. That bill would add new proof of citizenship requirements for voters in the U.S. and mandate a photo ID to cast a ballot. Republicans in Congress consider the voting legislation a longshot, NBC News reported. The Road to Housing legislation is the largest housing package to make its way through Congress in more than 35 years, Senate bill co-sponsor Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Monday. Warren is the ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The bill, nearly a year in the making, has been championed by municipal groups as a much-needed key to unlock more housing at the local level. “It will provide dozens of new resources, incentives and federal regulatory relief to spur the development of more attainable housing,” National League of Cities President Kevin Kramer said in a statement, lauding the bill’s passage in Congress. Kramer is a Louisville,