Partnership with the Countries' Largest Tech Parks to Propel "Hub-to-Hub" Collaborations Supporting HK and Chinese Mainland Enterprises to Tap Central Asian Markets HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 June 2026 – Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, joined the business delegation led by Chief Executive John Lee, on a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 1 to 5 June 2026 to strengthen innovation technology (IT), economic and trade cooperation between Hong Kong and the Central Asia. During the visit, Cyberport signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading technology organisations in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, establishing strategic partnerships with the two countries' key innovation and technology platforms and promoting "hub-to-hub" collaboration to jointly capture opportunities in emerging markets. × Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^:>286D]>65:2\@FEC6249]4@>^ffafbh^vC@FA\A9@E@];A8Qm$:>@? r92?[ r92:C>2? @7 rJ36CA@CE[ ;@:?65 E96 3FD:?6DD 56=682E:@? =65 3J r9:67 tI64FE:G6 y@9? {66 @? 2 G:D:E E@ z2K2<9DE2? 2?5 &K36<:DE2? 7C@> ` E@ d yF?6 a_ae] sFC:?8 E96 EC:A[ 96 G:D:E65 =@42= 6?E6CAC:D6D 2?5 :?7C2DECF4EFC6 AC@;64ED E@ 6IA=@C6 4@==23@C2E:@? @AA@CEF?:E:6D 2?5 =2J 2 DEC@?8 7@F?52E:@? 7@C =@?8\E6C> 4@@A6C2E:@?]k^2mk^Am kAmpD A2CE @7 E96 AC@8C2>>6[ $:>@? r92?[ r92:C>2? @7 rJ36CA@CE[ >6E H:E9 <6J :??@G2E:@? 2?5 E649?@=@8J DE2<69@=56CD :? 3@E9 4@F?EC:6D] w6 G:D:E65 E96 pDE2?2 wF3[ 2 =@42= E649?@=@8J 2?5 :??@G2E:@? A2C< :? z2K2<9DE2?[ :?4=F5:?8 :ED pCE:7:4:2= x?E6==:86?46 $FA6C4@>AFE:?8 r6?EC6[ E@ 82:? 566A6C :?D:89ED :?E@ E96 =2E6DE 56G6=@A>6?ED :? 2CE:7:4:2= :?E6==:86?46 2?5 5:8:E2= :?7C2DECF4EFC6 :? E96 C68:@?] w6 2=D@ G:D:E65 x% !2C< &K36<:DE2? E@ =62C? >@C6 23@FE E96 4@F?ECJVD C2A:5=J 8C@H:?8 5:8:E2= 64@?@>J 64@DJDE6>[ 2?5 E@ 6IA=@C6 @AA@CEF?:E:6D 7@C 566A6C 4@==23@C2E:@? :? :??@G2E:@? 2?5 E649?@=@8J 56G6=@A>6?E[ E2=6?E 4F=E:G2E:@? 2?5 >2C<6E 6IA2?D:@?] %96D6 6?8286>6?ED 7FCE96C DEC6?8E96?65 w@?8 z@?8VD 6I492?86D H:E9 r6?EC2= pD:2 2?5 DFAA@CE65 E96 56G6=@A>6?E @7 4=@D6C 4C@DD\C68:@?2= 4@==23@C2E:@? :? :??@G2E:@?
Jun 8, 2026 · via newspressnow.com
KARACHI: A multi-domain summit organised by the Sindh Youth Affairs Department has featured detailed discussions by experts on topics including artificial intelligence (AI), investment, fintech, health, smart cities, digital innovation, youth leadership and opportunities in modern technology.
Titled ‘Karachi Next AI & Innovation Summit 2026, the summit was inaugurated by Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar here at a local hotel.
The event brought together people from diverse fields including government officials, CEOs, investors, developers and a large number of youth from across the province.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) Ali Rashid has said that the country’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) centre is being established in the metropolis. He said the Sindh IT Tower will also be launched soon.
Mr Rashid highlighted that the Sindh government was making significant progress in the field of IT. He shared that under the Peoples Information Technology Programme, youth are being provided IT training and employment opportunities.
During the summit, a session on ‘Youth Volunteers & Social Action Projects (SAP)’ was also held, where seven teams of young volunteers from across the province presented their social welfare projects.
Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026
Jun 8, 2026 · via dawn.com
Conveniently implementing a digital smart city equipped with AI functions using a smartphone is not merely about creating a single app; it means building a digital city ecosystem that connects citizens, administrative agencies, transportation systems, safety systems, and environmental management systems by collecting various information generated within the city via smartphone and having AI automatically analyze it. While smart cities of the past were centered around large-scale servers, expensive sensors, and complex infrastructure, the smartphone itself has evolved into a powerful computing device and an AI terminal, ushering in an era where anyone can implement smart city functions at a relatively low cost. Smartphones already possess most of the core functions necessary for urban operations. GPS provides location data, cameras record urban conditions in real time, microphones detect sounds and danger signals, internet connections transmit data to the cloud, and accelerometers and gyroscopes analyze movement status and impacts. When combined with AI technology, intelligent urban management becomes possible that goes beyond simple data collection to understand situations and make automatic judgments. For example, if a citizen photographs road damage with a smartphone, the AI can analyze the size and risk level of the cracks in the image and automatically report it to the relevant agency based on the GPS location. If you upload photos of illegal waste dumping, AI can classify the types of waste and determine cleaning priorities. Smartphone-based AI technology can play a significant role in transportation systems. Anonymously analyzing citizens' movement data allows for the identification of real-time traffic flow in the city, and AI can predict congested areas at specific times to recommend alternative routes. Furthermore, combining bus location data enables AI to calculate arrival times more accurately and predict subway congestion levels. Utilizing smartphone cameras allows for the automatic detection of accident-risk areas by analyzing
Jun 8, 2026 · via seoulcity.co.kr
US-China Sister Cities Summit renews pledge to people-to-people ties By LIA ZHU in San Francisco | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2026-06-08 09:44 Diplomats, mayors and civic leaders from both sides of the Pacific gathered in San Francisco for the 8th US-China Sister Cities Summit, renewing their commitment to the subnational partnership that national governments alone cannot forge. Themed "Shared Efforts for High-quality City Development", the summit drew more than 150 Chinese delegates representing 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across 12 cities, alongside 160 US delegates from 21 states and 36 cities. The gathering, held on Friday, featured exchanges on three central themes — green development and urban governance, culture and tourism, and education and youth. "Everything depends on meeting each other, shaking each other's hand, looking at each other in the eye," Carol Robertson Lopez, chair emeritus of Sister Cities International, told China Daily on the sidelines of the summit. Gatherings like this one, she said, do something that virtual exchanges cannot fully replicate. "When we have gatherings like this, it just seals the friendships that we've developed in many cases online." She added that hearing how cities in different countries have approached shared challenges is a form of practical benefit. "What's really important is just bringing the people together," she said. "It's interesting to hear all the different things, and we do get a lot of ideas that we can take back home." The gathering has grown into a platform for subnational diplomacy since its launch by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, or CPAFFC, in 2014. China and the United States currently maintain 50 pairs of sister provinces and states, and 238 pairs of sister cities. Yang Wanming, president of the CPAFFC, pointed to California and San Francisco as proof of what local investment in
Jun 8, 2026 · via global.chinadaily.com.cn
Blaize and Taiwan's Winmate are deepening a partnership in rugged edge computing, pairing Blaize's power-efficient AI chips with Winmate's industrial hardware platforms to target defense, industrial automation, and low-altitude drone applications.
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Jun 8, 2026 · via digitimes.com
Keeping pace with news and developments in the real-time analytics and AI market can be a daunting task. Fortunately, we have you covered with a summary of the items our staff comes across each week. And if you prefer it in your inbox, sign up here! Snowflake held its annual usersâ conference, the Snowflake Summit, this week in San Francisco. The company made a handful of announcements, which, when taken together, signal the companyâs ambition to become the foundational platform for the emerging agentic enterprise. Specifically, Snowflake is positioning itself as more than a data platform, arguing that successful enterprise AI requires three interconnected layers: trusted and governed data, intelligent agents that can build and automate applications, and AI assistants that help employees work more effectively. With that said, key Snowflake announcements from the summit include: The introduction of major new capabilities for Snowflake CoCo (formerly known as Cortex Code), which is a coding agent that makes it easier for builders to automate workflows, develop apps, and operationalize AI on enterprise data through a simple prompt. New capabilities expand its use across desktop, mobile, and Slack interfaces. In addition, builders can now let CoCo run tasks autonomously, assist with end-to-end app development and deployment, and help teams deliver production-ready results faster and more securely. The introduced Snowflake Datastream, a new fully managed streaming service for Apache Kafka that brings real-time data and AI together in a single, governed platform, giving organizations an easier way to power AI apps and agents with fresh, continuously flowing data. The renaming of Snowflake Intelligence, the companyâs personal agent for knowledge workers. Playing off the CoCo name, Snowflake Intelligence is now called Snowflake CoWork. Enhancements announced at the summit are designed to make it easier for knowledge workers to leverage AI capabilities to gain insights
Jun 7, 2026 · via rtinsights.com
Tanjung Balai-Meral, Riau Kepulauan Jun 7, 2026 (Issuewire.com) The Batam Innovation Center invites developers, enterprise architects, AI/ML experts, sustainability innovators, domain experts and cross-border builders to the Batam-Singapore Hackathon 2026, a high-impact, tech-agnostic build festival set for August 1516, 2026, at the State Polytechnic of Batam (Politeknik Negeri Batam) Unlike traditional hackathons focused on toy problems or demos, this event challenges participants to tackle real-world, high-stakes issues facing Batam, a steadily growing Indonesian island at the heart of the Singapore-Johor-Riau (SIJORI) Growth Triangle. Solutions built here have strong potential for real deployment and can serve as blueprints for small island nations and emerging cities across Southeast Asia and beyond. Key Tracks and Challenges Digital Infrastructure & Data Centers: Address talent shortages and sustainable water/energy operations for next-gen facilities in a booming data center hub. Ease of Living & Sustainability: Develop smart mobility and cross-border logistics, circular economy solutions for waste, and enhanced digital public services. Tourism & Economic Development (Health & Eco-Tourism): Create seamless cross-border patient journeys, sustainable tourism platforms, AR/VR experiences, and integrated health-travel tech. Who Should Participate? Enterprise builders, senior developers, domain experts in smart cities, sustainability, healthtech, and tourism tech from Singapore, Indonesia, and around the world. Early applications already include teams from Asia and Europe. Limited to ~2530 high-quality, diverse teams (approximately 100120 builders). Participants will: Collaborate with local stakeholders, government, industry, and cross-border partners. Build production-grade prototypes with real data and potential for impact. Network with CXOs, investors, and innovation leaders in a vibrant tropical setting. Enjoy a festival atmosphere while creating scalable solutions. Registration Teams or solo developers and domain experts can apply now at Batam Singapore Hackathon 2026 event page at Builderbase Spots are limited, early application is encouraged. Shortlisted applicants will be notified in phases by 25th July 2026. Sponsorship Opportunities The
Jun 7, 2026 · via norfolkdailynews.com
Ehang is a leader in developing autonomous aerial vehicles for Urban Air Mobility, focusing on safe and eco-friendly air solutions.
Ehang (NASDAQ:EH) is at the forefront of developing autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) technology, primarily focused on making strides in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market. Their portfolio includes innovative projects such as passenger-grade AAVs, logistics AAVs, and smart city management solutions. Ehang's key objective is to revolutionize the way people and goods move around urban environments by providing safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly air mobility solutions. Their operations span from R&D and manufacturing to sales and service, emphasizing the integration of air mobility into urban planning and emergency rescue systems. Ehang is committed to pushing the boundaries of aerial technology to make cities more connected and efficient.
Jun 7, 2026 · via grafa.com
Why travelers are increasingly paying not to carry suitcases: Japan's lesson in smart city movement In recent years, Japan has increasingly been described as a country where it is possible to travel quickly, punctually and in a highly organized way, but precisely for that reason, one seemingly simple problem becomes especially noticeable there: what to do with a large suitcase between the airport, hotel, railway station and the next city. In a country where so much depends on railways, transfers and walking sections through enormous stations, luggage is not only a matter of comfort, but also a matter of time, space and planning. The Japanese model shows why more and more travelers are paying for a service that sends suitcases ahead, instead of dragging them through trains, buses and narrow hotel receptions. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the concept of "Hands-Free Travel" was designed precisely to allow travelers to move without the burden of large bags, using certified counters, delivery services and temporary storage. Such an approach is not a luxury add-on to travel, but a practical response to a very real logistical problem: too much luggage, too little time and increasingly costly mistakes when moving around the city. The pressure on infrastructure is even more understandable when looking at travel volume. According to the official announcement of the Japan National Tourism Organization of January 21, 2026, Japan recorded 42,683,600 arrivals by foreign visitors in 2025, which was more than in the previous record year. Such figures do not mean that every train or every station is constantly overloaded, but they explain why luggage management is increasingly viewed as part of sustainable tourism. When millions of travelers move through the same airports, stations and tourist districts, the difference between a large suitcase on a train and a suitcase
Jun 7, 2026 · via karlobag.eu
This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on June 8, 2026 - June 14, 2026 In March, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) announced that 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, jointly operated by DBKL and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), had been installed in public areas and integrated into DBKL’s Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLCCC) as part of its smart city initiative. While the system promises enhanced security and improved city services, its implementation has raised concerns among activists about privacy and the extent of surveillance in public spaces. Such concerns have become more pressing as biometric identification and large-scale data collection are increasingly integrated into public surveillance systems in the name of safety and smart city infrastructure. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh tells Digital Edge in an email interview that the CCTVs are supported by 16 artificial intelligence (AI) analytics, designed to empower Kuala Lumpur’s smart city systems, including KLCCC and its function as a unified municipal command hub. Part of a broader RM500 million investment in AI-powered city surveillance since 2020, the system “does not merely record. It detects, analyses and triggers real-time actions, enabling faster and more coordinated responses between agencies”, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud was reported as saying. The adoption of AI surveillance tools is not new in Malaysia. Johor Bahru launched more than 1,500 AI-powered CCTVs as of January; Penang announced plans to have 5,000 cameras by 2030 last year; and Cyberjaya announced plans to deploy 375 automated number plate recognition devices over the next three years in May. What sets DBKL’s system apart is the sheer number of CCTVs. DBKL’s 10,000 CCTVs are supplied by ITMAX System Bhd (KL:ITMAX), as part of its 10-year contract starting in 2024, with recorded
Jun 7, 2026 · via theedgemarkets.com
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Jun 7, 2026 · via youtube.com
Muzig AI Launches ‘Muzig of City’, a GPS-Based AI Music Service Delivering Real-Time, Zero-Prompt Audio Experiences Muzig AI Launches ‘Muzig of City’, a GPS-Based AI Music Service Delivering Real-Time, Zero-Prompt Audio Experiences Press Release Date 06-07-2026 Real-time AI music adapts to users’ location and movement without prompts LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, June 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Muzig AI, a generative AI music startup, has launched a service, ‘Muzig of City’, which creates music in real time by analysing users’ location and movement data. Unlike conventional prompt-based AI music platforms, where users must enter a genre, mood or concept before receiving a result, Muzig of City generates music automatically, adapting to a user’s surroundings, movement and location context without manual input. The company describes the technology as a Zero-Prompt framework, using GPS data, movement paths, speed, time of day, weather and location context as core inputs for music creation. Rhythm, tempo, instrumentation and sonic texture shift according to the user’s environment and movement. For example, a user walking through Manhattan may hear fast-paced urban electronic music, while near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a string-led romantic melody may emerge. In Shibuya, Tokyo, dense synthesiser-driven sounds could dominate. Muzig AI says the platform can deliver location-sensitive music experiences across major cities including London, Dubai, Rome, Singapore and Sydney. Industry experts highlight strong potential for location-based AI music in smart cities, autonomous vehicles, tourism, global retail and wellness services. Unlike conventional streaming platforms, Muzig of City generates music from spatial and movement data itself, positioning it as a next-generation audio interface. Muzig AI also emphasises its wider technology base: its AI music systems have been trained on over one million sound assets, enabling generative audio services for music, sound effects, and location-based experiences. The company is listed as a supplier through Korea’s Public Procurement
Jun 7, 2026 · via natlawreview.com
The City of Irvine has implemented an innovative pavement coating pilot program that extends the life of City streets while helping to reduce heat from the ground up. DuraShield Solar Reflective is a waterborne epoxy-modified acrylic grey pavement coating, similar to slurry seal. The coating is designed to reduce pavement surface temperature and may reduce ambient air temperatures. It also reduces UV and heat damage to pavement. In 2024, the City’s Public Works & Sustainability Department applied DuraShield Solar Reflective on San Juan and San Leon. Although it has been used in several other cities, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Miami, Irvine is the first Orange County city to apply the solar reflective pavement. Additional benefits include: - Reduces water penetration into pavement substrate. - Slows deterioration of pavement. - Retains high friction in wet and dry conditions. - Quickly cures, enabling traffic to get back on the street the same day and reduce tracking. - Does not affect driver glare. DuraShield is designed to last approximately seven years before it needs to be reapplied. City staff will monitor the pavement on San Juan and San Leon over the course of a year to analyze durability and surface and ambient air temperatures. A recognized leader in sustainability, the cool pavement pilot program aligns with the City’s climate adaptation efforts aimed at transforming Irvine into a model climate-smart city for the future. Cool Pavement in Action Learn more about the City's innovative Cool Pavement Program.
Jun 7, 2026 · via cityofirvine.gov
PIF and Talaat Moustafa Group Saudi sign MoU to collaborate in Saudi Urban Development and Livability Ecosystem
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Jun 7, 2026 · via maaal.com
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Jun 7, 2026 · via youtube.com
Why Scotland Could be the New Data Centre Hub of the UK Scotland is fast becoming central to the UK’s digital energy future. As developers map out the next generation of AI-ready data centres, attention is shifting northwards. Mounting grid constraints and rising electricity costs are forcing a rethink of where energy-intensive digital infrastructure can realistically expand. Fintan Slye, CEO of the state-owned National Energy System Operator, believes that Scotland can be not only a capacity solution but a more energy-efficient route for data centre deployment. “If in the audience you have a big data centre and you want to go to Scotland, please come talk to me, we will help you. It is actually helpful to the system to do that,” he said at a conference recently. “Conversely, if you put it down in the southeast of England, that is going to just exacerbate a set of grid constraints that already exist in the environment,” he added. “Location really matters when you’re talking about these gigawatt-scale data centres.” Why energy availability is reshaping data centre geography The UK’s data centre landscape has long been concentrated around London, where connectivity and user proximity have traditionally driven growth. That model is now under strain from the realities of energy supply. With approximately 1.6GW of installed capacity today and ambitions to scale to around 6GW by the end of the decade, the UK’s push to become an AI “superpower” is placing unprecedented demands on electricity infrastructure. Nearly 100GW of prospective data centre projects are currently seeking grid connections, roughly double Britain’s peak electricity demand. While not all proposals will proceed, the scale of demand highlights the need for more strategic alignment between energy availability and digital infrastructure. In the southeast of the UK, high power prices and network congestion are becoming significant
Jun 6, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Guest Editors for Scientific Reports Revathy Jayaseelan, PhD, B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, India Revathy Jayaseelan is a Professor of Civil Engineering and Dean (Academic Research) at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, India. Her research interests include sustainable construction materials, low-carbon and cement-free composites, seismic strengthening of structures, and AI/ML applications in structural engineering and concrete composites. She has led several research projects funded by the Government of India, primarily in structural safety and seismic resilience. Dr. Revathy has been an Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports since 2024. Jiachao Peng, PhD, Wuhan Institute of Technology, China Jiachao Peng is an Associate Professor at the School of Law and Business, Wuhan Institute of Technology, China, and a recognized "Chutian Scholar" in Hubei Province. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Economics, completing postdoctoral research in Business Administration, and has served as a visiting scholar at Macquarie University, Australia. Dr. Peng’s research focuses primarily on energy and environmental economics, sustainable development, and green finance, with extensive publications in top-tier international journals. Dr. Peng has been an Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports since 2025. Sara Shirowzhan, PhD, UNSW, Australia Sara Shirowzhan is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Built Environment, UNSW, Australia. Her research focuses on technologies relevant to the built environment, including AI, advanced GIS, nD BIM, sensing technologies, and digital twins, with applications in sustainable and resilient cities (SDG 11), smart cities, infrastructure, urban strategy development, and construction. Dr. Shirowzhan has been an Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports since 2024. Aydin Shishegaran, PhD, FHM University of Applied Sciences, Germany Aydin Shishegaran is a Lecturer at the FHM University of Applied Sciences and another institute in Germany. He got his first Ph.D. in 2022 from Iran University of Science and
Jun 6, 2026 · via nature.com
The city is focusing on building and developing technological and digital infrastructure in parallel with urban development. In particular, it is strengthening data connectivity solutions and improving the effectiveness of the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC). Focusing on digital governance solutions for smart city development Currently, the databases of many departments and agencies have been synchronized with the city's IOC. The Dong Nai City IOC is being gradually implemented and put into operation, initially establishing a platform for integrating, exploiting, and visualizing data to support monitoring, supervision, and the direction and administration of city leaders. The city is concentrating on implementing plans to apply digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) across socio-economic sectors, while completing database systems connected to the city-, commune-, and ward-level IOCs. Leaders of departments and agencies inspect operations at the Dong Nai City Intelligent Operations Center in Tran Bien ward. | By late May 2026, the Department of Construction and relevant units handed over the project monitoring system to the Dong Nai City IOC. The system was sponsored by Construction Corporation No. 1 JSC (CC1) and developed by Xboss Technology Solution Co., Ltd. Nao Thien Anh Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Construction, said that in the current context, improving the efficiency of management, monitoring, and accelerating public investment projects in particular and construction investment in general are becoming increasingly necessary. Therefore, operating the project monitoring system through the IOC has significant potential for broad application, especially in a locality with a large number of major projects such as Dong Nai. Once operational, the system will provide an integrated and intuitive dashboard, enabling city leaders to comprehensively monitor project implementation progress and capital disbursement, while promptly identifying difficulties and obstacles. On that basis, direction and administration can be carried
Jun 6, 2026 · via dongnai.gov.vn
Türkiye has secured €191.5 million ($219.4 million) in World Bank financing to help expand urban transport networks, improve water services and strengthen local governments' capacity in two of the country's fastest-growing cities. Approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the loan will be channeled through state lender Ilbank under a government guarantee. The package is intended to help municipalities address rising infrastructure needs driven by population growth and urban expansion. The funding comes under the Green and Future Cities Project, which seeks to improve public services while helping cities better cope with climate-related challenges. According to the World Bank, the loan will finance projects in Antalya and Konya, where growing demand for public transportation, drinking water, sanitation and energy systems has increased pressure on local services. "Türkiye’s cities are key drivers of economic growth and job creation but also face increasing pressures from rapid urbanization and climate change," World Bank Country Director for Türkiye J. Humberto Lopez said. "This project will help municipalities invest in modern, resilient infrastructure while strengthening their capacity to plan and finance sustainable urban development." Planned works include tramline expansions, the deployment of low-emission public transport vehicles, and upgrades to water supply, wastewater treatment and sanitation facilities. The program will also support energy-efficiency measures and initiatives aimed at helping urban areas adapt to climate risks, including floods, droughts and extreme heat. The World Bank noted that municipalities will also receive guidance in developing investment-ready projects, improving institutional capacity and expanding access to long-term funding sources. "By combining financing with technical expertise, this project will help cities develop bankable, climate-smart investments and improve their access to long-term financing," project task team leader Ahmet Kindap said. The lender added that the program aligns with Türkiye’s development priorities and is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve
Jun 6, 2026 · via turkiyetoday.com
One degree that changed everything: Rethinking our cities, restoring our seas A couple of months ago, while speaking at a public event, I posed a simple question to the audience. “How much cooler do you think Bangladesh was two decades ago?” A few participants confidently replied, “Five degrees Celsius.” Others went even further and suggested “Ten degrees.” When I revealed that Bangladesh’s average temperature has increased by roughly one degree Celsius over the last five decades, the room fell silent. —One degree? Most people could hardly believe it. Yet that single degree has altered our lives so profoundly that many of us genuinely feel as though the Bangladesh of our childhood was five or even ten degrees cooler. The scorching afternoons, sleepless summer nights, prolonged heatwaves, erratic rainfall, flash floods, waterlogging, and shifting seasons have become part of our everyday reality. This is perhaps the greatest misconception about climate change. We often assume that a one-degree increase is insignificant. But when that increase occurs across an entire country, year after year, it fundamentally changes ecosystems, weather patterns, agriculture, public health, and the way we live. If one degree can create such disruption, imagine what lies ahead if we fail to act. The Urbanization Challenge Bangladesh is undergoing one of the fastest urban transformations in its history. Today, nearly one-third of the country’s population lives in urban areas, and this figure continues to rise steadily. Cities are expanding, new townships are emerging, and millions of people are migrating from rural areas in search of economic opportunities. Urbanization is neither a problem nor something to be feared. Throughout history, cities have served as engines of economic growth, innovation, education, and social progress. The real question is not whether we urbanize, but how we urbanize. Globally, cities consume nearly three-quarters of the world’s
Jun 6, 2026 · via thedailystar.net