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
Fit for the Future: How Smart Platforms Are Transforming the Built Environment Digital tools are fundamentally changing how cities conceive, deliver, and operate the built environment. What was once a fragmented process is evolving into a more connected, intelligent, and data-driven ecosystem, where design, construction, and operations are increasingly linked across the full lifecycle. This session examines how technologies such as BIM, digital twins, advanced simulation, and automation are transforming the way urban assets are planned, delivered, and managed, opening new possibilities for efficiency, coordination, and performance. In doing so, it reflects on how buildtech is contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and future-ready urban environment. Stage: Impact TechDigital tools are fundamentally changing how cities conceive, deliver, and operate the built environment. What was once a fragmented process is evolving into a more connected, intelligent, and data-driven ecosystem, where design, construction, and operations are increasingly linked across the full lifecycle. This session examines how technologies such as BIM, digital twins, advanced simulation, and automation are transforming the way urban assets are planned, delivered, and managed, opening new possibilities for efficiency, coordination, and performance. In doing so, it reflects on how buildtech is contributing to a more sustainable, resilient, and future-ready urban environment. Parent Session - Buildtech Tuesday 03, 14:05h - 14:50h | Stage: Impact Tech All Passes
Jul 10, 2026 · via smartcityexpo.com
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is testing an innovative waste management technology that uses Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to transform organic waste into high-protein animal feed and organic fertiliser. The trials offer what scientists believe could become a practical solution to the country’s growing urban waste crisis while creating new economic opportunities. The pilot project, launched recently in Babati, Manyara Region, by the National Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), seeks to demonstrate how organic waste can be diverted from landfills and converted into valuable commercial products. Although the trial is being conducted in Babati, experts say its greatest potential lies in rapidly expanding cities such as Dar es Salaam, where municipal authorities face mounting challenges in managing ever-growing volumes of waste. As Tanzania’s urban population continues to increase, waste generation has risen sharply. Dar es Salaam alone produces an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes of solid waste every day, according to figures from the city council and urban development studies. Between 55 and 65 percent of that waste consists of biodegradable material from households, food markets, hotels and restaurants. Much of this organic waste ends up at disposal sites such as Pugu Kinyamwezi or is dumped into drains, rivers and open spaces. Besides creating unpleasant odours, it contributes to blocked drainage systems, flooding during the rainy season, greenhouse gas emissions and growing public health concerns. Scientists say Black Soldier Fly technology directly addresses this waste stream by using larvae that rapidly consume decomposing organic material. Within a matter of days, the larvae can reduce the volume of waste by as much as 70 percent while producing commercially valuable by-products. Unlike common houseflies, adult Black Soldier Flies do not feed on human food and are not regarded as vectors of disease. Their larvae, however, consume large quantities of organic waste
Jul 10, 2026 · via thecitizen.co.tz
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 to require around 105 MW by 2040. The project is being developed around principles of sustainability, including net-zero buildings, digital infrastructure, green spaces and electric mobility solutions. Other major urban plans identified by OETC include: •Greater Salalah Structure Plan —
Jul 10, 2026 · via omanobserver.om
3D concrete printing is revolutionizing the entire construction industry globally because it provides a means through which the construction process can be done faster, sustainably, and in a highly automated manner. With governments and private investors looking for ways to reduce construction costs to solve issues related to housing deficits and infrastructure development, 3D concrete printing stands out as a disruptive innovation that will help in making the construction process faster, minimize waste, and increase design possibilities. As per SNS Insider, the 3D Concrete Printing Market has been valued at USD 0.73 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 36.34 billion by 2035, at a phenomenal CAGR of 47.81% from 2026 to 2035. The driving factors that propel the growth of the market include increasing demand for sustainable construction, advances in robot printing technology, increasing adoption of smart cities, and increased investment in automated building technology. The deployment of about 12,000 3D concrete printing units in 2025 further supports the fact that the adoption of this new technology in the construction sector is gaining pace at an incredible rate. One of the most prominent trends in the market includes the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation, advanced construction software, and eco-friendly concrete material into large-scale printers. Major Key Companies 1. Apis Cor Inc. Apis Cor is known as one of the frontrunners when it comes to 3D printing technology for concrete in a mobile setting. Apis Cor has developed an array of robotics construction systems which are able to print whole buildings using little labor force. The innovations by Apis Cor have found their application in various projects related to residential housing, commercial complexes, and infrastructural development, thus proving the viability of the automated construction processes to reduce costs and speed up project realization. 2. COBOD International A/S
Jul 10, 2026 · via snsinsider.com
Dive Brief: - The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $1.73 billion in grants under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development program. Awards went to 127 projects across all states and the District of Columbia. - More than three-quarters of grants, or $1.3 billion, went to road and bridge projects. Public transit projects received $169.9 million, less than 10% of total grants. - Funding for the grants included $1.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with recently canceled or withdrawn Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grants and congressional appropriations. Dive Insight: The DOT received nearly 1,200 eligible applications requesting over $14.5 billion in total funding, it said in a news release. Applications closed Feb. 24. Awarded highway projects include: - Brook Park, Ohio: $25 million to modernize access at the Interstate 71 interchange, reconstruct regional and local connectors, and integrate high-capacity transit and pedestrian infrastructure. - Norman County, Minnesota: $24 million to replace up to three bridges over the Red River of the North linking North Dakota and Minnesota. - North Dakota Department of Transportation: $24 million to install new pavement and install 10 miles of high-tension cable guardrails along Interstate 94. Awarded transit projects include: - Dallas Area Rapid Transit: $25 million to improve accessibility at eight train stations on two DART light rail lines. - Rhode Island Public Transit Authority: $25 million to construct an intermodal transit center in downtown Providence, adjacent to Amtrak’s station. The project will include accessible bus operation infrastructure, accommodations for micromobility users, and an indoor passenger concourse with ticketing, customer service, security, real-time transit information and other amenities. - Virginia Passenger Rail Authority: $25 million to complete the final design and construction of an overnight storage and servicing rail yard to support existing and future passenger rail
Jul 10, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Dive Brief: - Tens of thousands of California state government workers are heading back to the office this week as a mandate from Gov. Gavin Newsom requiring agencies to make four in-office days the default takes effect. - The policy could expose the inadequacy of the state’s office space to accommodate workers, say consultants and others who’ve analyzed workers’ changing views over what constitutes a productive work environment. “Employees need space to focus, space to collaborate, and space to connect but most offices manage one, maybe two,” says Adam Morgan, co-founder of furniture and design company Bureau. - The state’s mandate has drawn pushback from local unions and other groups that say the requirement will hurt recruitment and retention while increasing costs. Dive Insight: Newsom’s return-to-office order took effect July 1. It requires California state agencies that still offer hybrid arrangements to make four in-office days the default, increasing from the two-day office schedules that many employees in the state have been operating on, according to reports. The state employs more than 224,000 full-time workers, according to a release by the governor’s office. The mandate will impact approximately 109,000 of those workers, the Sacramento Bee reported. When he issued his executive order last year, Newsom said workers spending more time in the office will help improve accountability, collaboration and innovation, but that claim has never been fully supported, according to a 2025 California State Auditor report. The report found that the governor’s office had not gathered key data on job performance, service delivery, office needs or costs. The report says California could save as much as $225 million annually if employees worked in the office only two days a week by allowing the state to shrink its office footprint by 30%. State policy requiring dedicated workstates for employees who are
Jul 10, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Scan Scam: Criminals Redirect China’s Public QR Codes to Porn China’s QR codes — a hallmark of daily life in the country — are increasingly being hacked by criminals, redirecting users to pornographic and other illegal websites, according to an investigation published July 7 by state broadcaster CCTV. Beijing’s municipal government introduced public QR codes in the capital in 2016 as part of “smart city management,” touting it as a way to collect feedback to help cities run more efficiently. Streetlights, bus stops, and mailboxes were gradually affixed with QR, or quick-response, codes so citizens could access facility information or submit repair requests by scanning them with their smartphones. The rest of the country soon followed. CCTV’s report described an incident in March in which an online user reported scanning a QR code on the windshield of a public park’s shuttle bus in the eastern city of Suzhou, only to be redirected to a pornographic website. Park management told the reporter that the vehicle’s QR code had been hijacked after becoming invalid. Similarly, in February, a Beijing resident shared screenshots revealing that a QR code on a street pole that they had reportedly scanned redirected to porn. CCTV found that the domain, registered through the capital’s official internet content provider (ICP) licensing system — mandatory for Chinese website registration — had expired on Feb. 27. Social media users reported that the code redirected to a pornographic website shortly after that date. When the reporter called the ICP license holder — seemingly a technology company — to investigate, staff hung up, and subsequent calls were ignored. Upon visiting two physical addresses registered to the business, the reporter found an abandoned industrial space and an apparently unrelated office. Unable to reach the company, CCTV filed a complaint through China’s 12345 citizen service
Jul 9, 2026 · via sixthtone.com
The Wichita City Council on Tuesday approved spending nearly $10 million on developing a direct potable reuse program and constructing a small-scale water purification plant to treat wastewater to drinking water standards. It would provide proof of concept that could be used to educate the public and inform regulators and elected officials to build support for a full-scale reuse facility. “This is going to be a proving ground,” Gary Janzen, director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities, said Tuesday. “It’s going to be a trial. It’s going to be a great place for regulators to see how this process is working.” Besides perfecting the complicated treatment process, the pilot project aims to get the water-consuming public to lower their guard to the idea of drinking treated sewer water. “When people talk about toilet to tap, I always say it’s not toilet to tap, it’s toilet to treatment to treatment to treatment to treatment to tap,” council member Becky Tuttle said. “So it’s being treated more than our water supply.” The city initially approved a $1.1 million contract with CDM Smith in May 2025 to develop a water reuse master plan. It expanded that contract Tuesday — adding an estimated $7 million to build and operate the small-scale plant. The council approved issuing revenue bonds up to $9.9 million for the project, which would purify about 70,000 gallons of water a day. Revenue bonds would be paid off by water and sewer user fees. The pilot project will not put any water into the city’s distribution system, Janzen said. Instead, it will go back into the wastewater treatment plant. The new treatment process is needed to combat future droughts and support expanding industries in the Wichita area, Janzen said Tuesday. “It’s an expensive endeavor,” Janzen said. “The technology, the implementation of
Jul 9, 2026 · via governing.com