Ekrem İmamoğlu has served as Mayor of Istanbul since 2019, building a model of inclusive, solidarity-based governance that has made him one of the most popular elected leaders in Turkey. In March 2025, he was arrested on politically motivated charges widely condemned by democratic leaders across Europe and beyond. “The heart of the country” “Istanbul is the heart of the country,” says Ambassador (R) Mustafa Osman Turan, Foreign Relations Advisor to the Mayor. “Its economic activity, its population, everything flows through Istanbul.” The city of 16 million people is larger than many countries, and since 2019 İmamoğlu has governed it with a clear philosophy: that a city should work for all its residents, not just those who voted for its mayor. That philosophy found expression in what became known as solidarity municipalism. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the municipality launched Pay It Forward, a scheme connecting residents who could not afford their utility bills with those willing to cover them, creating a solidarity network that won an international award from Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2021. The administration’s work to make Istanbul a better place to live for all its citizens continues. So far, the administration opened more than 120 affordable daycare centres across Istanbul’s 39 districts and now provides free transport cards to mothers with children 4 years old and under so they could drop their children off and continue to work. More than 110 affordable restaurants across the city offer three-course meals for around one euro. Affordable housing for six thousand students was created to address the housing crisis, alongside municipal scholarships to support young people who might otherwise have had to leave the city to study. “He didn’t distinguish between those who voted for him and those who didn’t,” says Ambassador Turan. “He brought services to all 39 districts.” It
May 29, 2026 · via eurocities.eu
About
Press
Copyright
Contact us
Creators
Advertise
Developers
Terms
Privacy
Policy & Safety
How YouTube works
Test new features
NFL Sunday Ticket
© 2026 Google LLC
May 29, 2026 · via youtube.com
Jammu Smart City Accelerates Projects Ahead Of Amarnath Yatra Chembur Metro to Boost East Mumbai Links MMRDA is advancing eastern Mumbai’s urban mobility network, with the upcoming Chembur Metro Station set to emerge as a key interchange and the Mumbai Monorail preparing for relaunch.Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, conducted a site visit to Chembur Metro Station along with Kanhuraj Bagate, Managing Director, MMMOCL. He also visited the nearby VN Purav Monorail Station to review system preparedness and ease of interconnectivity.Once operational, the interchange is expected to offer commuters across the eastern suburbs quicker access, smoother transfers and seamless conne.. Herrenknecht TBMs Drive Thane–Borivali Tunnel Progress Herrenknecht India has supplied two of the four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) required for the 11-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel Project being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The project is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from 60–90 minutes to around 15 minutes while easing congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.The first two Single Shield TBMs, named Nayak and Arjuna, feature 13.34-m cutterhead diameters and are designed for hard-rock excavation. They will be deployed to tunnel through the challenging geological.. KBL Launches Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set Kirloskar Brothers (KBL) has launched its Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set, an integrated fire protection solution designed to improve operational efficiency, remote monitoring and installation flexibility. The system was inaugurated by Ms Madhuritai Misal, Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Government of Maharashtra.The Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set is a factory-tested, pre-packaged solution that combines FM/UL-certified motor and engine pump sets with IoT-enabled remote monitoring. Designed to deliver a flow rate of 170 m³/hr at a head of 100 metres, the system aims to provide..
May 29, 2026 · via constructionworld.in
Philippines–Japan Deals Target Smart Cities, Digital Services and Fintech Three agreements signed between Philippine and Japanese companies during President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr’s state visit to Japan are expected to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen financial technology services and support new employment opportunities. According to a report by the Philippine Information Agency, the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) could generate around P7 billion in revenues while supporting smart city initiatives and wider access to digital services across the Philippines. The agreements were witnessed by President Marcos and Trade Secretary Ma Cristina Roque and involve partnerships between Ayala Corp, Globe Telecom, Mitsubishi Corp, KDDI Corp, Mynt and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). The initiatives aim to combine technology deployment, digital services and financial innovation to strengthen the country’s digital economy. Smart City Study for Makati and Other Urban Centres The first agreement focuses on studying an “Intelligent City” initiative in Makati. Ayala, Globe, Mitsubishi and KDDI will examine how technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things devices, urban data integration platforms and advanced telecommunications infrastructure could improve urban services. The study will explore improvements in transportation systems, energy management, retail services and broader digital city operations. If viable, similar approaches could be extended to other Philippine cities. Such initiatives complement wider efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, including projects that align connectivity development with workforce readiness, such as those highlighted in initiatives linking digital infrastructure development with workforce capabilities. Development of Smart Life Digital Services A second agreement between Ayala, Mynt and Mitsubishi will develop “Smart Life” digital services designed to integrate everyday transactions into a single digital ecosystem. Planned services include rewards programmes, ticketing platforms, online payment systems and digital marketing tools. The collaboration is projected to generate approximately P7 billion in revenue. By combining telecommunications, digital platforms and financial services, the
May 29, 2026 · via opengovasia.com
ISS (Intelligent Security Systems) has updated the product line for its vehicle undercarriage screening solution, SecurOS UVSS (Under-Vehicle Surveillance Solution). The launch introduces four UVSS solution versions for different market segments alongside functional enhancements. ISS says the new UVSS versions include SecurOS UVSS Essential for facilities with single-point-of-entry security. The undercarriage screening tool replaces manual inspections with an automated “digital mirror” system, ISS says. Its capabilities include “3D magnifying lens” functionality, automatic image comparison, visual anomaly maps and an AI-driven foreign object detector. The system supports vehicle speeds up to 9 mph. SecurOS UVSS Pro is built for facilities that need to manage multiple vehicle entry points and leverages a distributed architecture that enables a single security team to manage and synchronize data from up to three separate checkpoints. Standard capabilities include 3D lens functionality, automatic comparison of undercarriage images and the precise marking of suspicious areas. Optional expansions include AI-based foreign object detector, magnetic suspicious maps, the SecurOS Motus VO21 driver camera featuring the SecurOS FaceX facial recognition module and an automated platform cleaning system. The UVSS Pro also integrates with third-party systems, supports failover clustering and one-to-one failover and screens vehicles traveling at speeds up to 22 mph, ISS says. SecurOS UVSS Elite is designed for large-scale operations where speed and system resilience are critical. With support for an unlimited number of checkpoints and failover clustering, ISS says it ensures uninterrupted operation 24/7 at vehicle speeds up to 30 mph. Optional additions include the aforementioned SecurOS Motus VO21 driver camera, SecurOS FaceX software and automated UVSS cleaning system. SecurOS UVSS Mobile provides a portable screening solution designed for quick transport and rapid deployment. Housed in durable cases, its compact design allows a team to easily relocate and set up security checkpoints wherever they are needed most, ISS says.
May 29, 2026 · via securityjournalamericas.com
| Nguyen Khanh Linh, head of Investment Promotion and Strategic Technology at NIC | The launch took place in Hanoi on May 28. Participants will build AI products to solve real-world problems posed by businesses, rather than coding against predefined tasks. Rather than focusing on programming contests that primarily showcase technical skills, Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge places young developers in an environment much closer to actual market conditions, with real business challenges, tight deadlines, product pressure, deployment requirements, and opportunities to connect with enterprises and investors after the competition. Speaking at the event, Nguyen Khanh Linh, head of Investment Promotion and Strategic Technology at the National Innovation Centre (NIC), said the Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge is being implemented under Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026, with the ambition of becoming a platform connecting Vietnam’s AI capabilities with the practical development needs of businesses and localities. "Challenges across manufacturing, logistics, public services, education, healthcare, and smart cities will be opened to the AI community to develop applicable solutions," he said. "This approach is expected to bring AI closer to socioeconomic life, rather than keeping it confined to laboratories, research reports, or fragmented pilot models." NIC expects the initiative to accelerate AI adoption across the economy while helping develop a generation of “battle-tested” AI talent. These are professionals who understand technology and know how to apply it to production, operations, governance, and market development. As Vietnam continues to push forward with digital transformation, a workforce of AI engineers capable of solving real-world problems will become a key foundation for enhancing national competitiveness. | Launching ceremony of Vietnam AI Innovation Challenge | Thao Griffiths, public policy director for Meta Group's Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, said Meta has partnered with NIC on Vietnam Innovation Challenge since 2022. Over the years, Meta has worked with NIC,
May 29, 2026 · via vir.com.vn
Foxconn chairman Young Liu said the company is accelerating its move into electric vehicles, robotics, and smart cities, arguing that these businesses will drive its next phase of long-term growth.
The article requires paid subscription.
Subscribe Now
May 29, 2026 · via digitimes.com
The concepts of green buildings and sustainable cities emerged globally during the 1970s environmental movement, sparked by the 1973 oil crisis and a growing awareness of resource depletion and ecological damage. These terminologies were formally introduced to bridge the gap between rapid urban development and environmental preservation, providing a standardised framework to combat climate change, reduce massive energy consumption, and curb carbon emissions. While ‘green building’ focuses on the micro-level utilising eco-friendly materials, water conservation, and energy efficiency within individual structures ‘sustainable cities’ scales these ideas to the macro-level, integrating green infrastructure, public transit, and waste management into a cohesive urban ecosystem. Together, these terms provide architects, urban planners, and governments with a shared vocabulary and actionable goals to create resilient human habitats that balance economic growth with planet preservation. Green buildings and sustainable cities are deeply connected in Oman's urban planning, acting as the fundamental building blocks for the nation's eco-friendly future. As urban population grows, the Sultanate faces rising energy demands, water scarcity, and high temperatures. To address these challenges, Oman is integrating green building practices into its broader urban strategies to create resilient, low-carbon cities. Oman Vision 2040 serves as the national roadmap for sustainable development. A major pillar of this vision is the creation of sustainable, smart cities that protect natural resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Individual green buildings are the structural units that make this vision possible. A city cannot achieve true sustainability if its individual structures consume excessive energy and water. By adopting green building standards, Oman ensures that new urban developments actively contribute to national environmental targets. In Oman's desert climate, buildings traditionally consume massive amounts of electricity for air conditioning. Green buildings break this cycle through passive design strategies. They utilise high-performance thermal insulation, double-glazed windows, and smart orientation
May 29, 2026 · via omanobserver.om
Millennium Announces Appointment of Christian Wiltrout as CEO Millennium Broadband announced yesterday that Christian Wiltrout has been named the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Company founder James Kyle transitions to Executive Board Member role following over two decades of leadership. The transition, according to the company, will take effect June 15, 2026. Kyle founded Millennium in 2004, with a vision to simplify and accelerate the planning, procurement, and deployment of broadband infrastructure. Over more than two decades, Kyle and the Millennium team have built the company into an industry-leading platform serving broadband network builders and owners across North America – providing integrated engineering, supply chain, equipment financing, and funding solutions that eliminate the complexity of coordinating multiple partners across a single build. “Christian has the experience and skills we need to evolve Millennium, and he understands that people and relationships are at our core. Christian is the right person to take the business forward. I am genuinely excited about what lies ahead for Millennium and could not be more energized to support Christian and our team as we pursue the next chapter of growth together,” said Kyle. Wiltrout joins Millennium most recently from SureWerx, a global safety products manufacturer, where he served as Global Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his career, Wiltrout has built a track record of driving above-market growth, operational excellence, and building incredible teams. “I am excited and grateful to join Millennium as CEO, and become part of an outstanding team. Millennium is an industry leader with a significant growth opportunity. James and the Millennium team have built something truly exceptional – a business with deep client relationships, a differentiated platform, and a team that is passionate about helping communities get connected. I look forward to partnering with the Millennium team and our clients to build on that
May 29, 2026 · via insidetowers.com
Global Mobility Call expands its ecosystem with new strategic partners to drive sustainable mobility More than 25 companies and institutions are joining this new edition to promote sustainable, connected, and safe mobility from 9 to 11 June at IFEMA MADRID. Global Mobility Call continues to consolidate its position as the international event for sustainable mobility with the incorporation of new strategic partners from the mobility, automotive, logistics, electrification, and technological innovation ecosystem. The integration of ACIIEC, AEDIVE, AER, EA Transporte, AECOC, AEGFA, AMKT (Spanish Association for Marketing, User and Mobility), ANESDOR, ASEPA – UPM/INSIA, ASESGA, Asociación Cargadores, CEOE, Clúster Smart Cities, CLIME, CONFEBUS, FACONAUTO, FENEVAL, FESVIAL, Fundación Ibercaja – Mobility City, GANVAM, ANCERA, Neutral in Motion (NIM), Fundación RACE, Real Academia de Ingeniería (RAI), SERNAUTO and UFV – MSI (Francisco de Vitoria University – MotorSport Institute) reinforces the event’s cross-sector character by incorporating key sectors such as collective transport, corporate mobility, electric mobility, logistics, road safety, technological innovation, marketing, engineering, and the automotive value chain. These organisations join Global Mobility Call as strategic partners, consolidating a systemic vision of mobility in which industry, technology, public administrations, operators, and real demand converge to accelerate more efficient, sustainable, connected, and accessible models. Among the new additions, CONFEBUS stands out for its role in promoting collective bus transport as a tool for territorial cohesion; AER (Spanish Vehicle Renting Association) and AEGFA as key players in fleet electrification and corporate mobility; and ANESDOR, promoting motorcycles as an efficient solution for urban mobility and last-mile logistics. “Buses are destined to lead the mobility of the future. It is a safe, sustainable, and affordable mode of transport with the greatest territorial reach, guaranteeing effective connections for thousands of municipalities every day, and it is essential for strategic sectors such as tourism,” said Rafael Barbadillo, President of
May 29, 2026 · via ifema.es
Langit Biru Kota Kita or Blue Sky Our City Webinar on the road to energy independence and sustainable development on January 27, 2026. Strategic collaboration with development partners addressing the challenges of the energy transition by providing an infrastructure ecosystem of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU) and electric vehicles at the city level.
May 29, 2026 · via apeksi.id
Dive Brief: - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday a $466 million investment in Washington Union Station in the District of Columbia. - The grants are part of a program to modernize the station and improve the customer experience for the 37 million people who pass through it each year, according to Amtrak and a U.S. Department of Transportation news release. - “From basic structural repairs to beautiful, enlarged passenger concourses, today’s historic investment into Union Station will ensure Washington D.C has a world class transit hub that residents, commuters, and tourists all deserve,” Duffy said in a statement. Dive Insight: The Transportation Department’s action comes as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to beautify the nation’s capital, as spelled out in a March 2025 executive order, Duffy said during an event Thursday celebrating the Department of the Interior’s restoration of the Columbus Circle fountain. “We're going to fix the roof, enhance the passenger concourses, the Amtrak lounge and the ticketing experience,” Duffy said. “We're going to maximize the station's revenue potential with retail, with parking, with office spaces, with digital signage and a lot more. We're going to improve security and we're going to invest in family-friendly infrastructure.” The DOT took control of the nearly 120-year-old Union Station by a 1981 act of Congress at a time when the station had fallen into disrepair. Last year, the DOT restructured its longstanding management agreement with the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, a nonprofit established by Congress in 1983, giving DOT the lead role in redeveloping the station. “This USDOT funding represents a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalization of Washington Union Station,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. Washington is Amtrak’s second busiest train station. In addition to Amtrak, the station serves Maryland Transit Administration and Virginia Railway Express
May 29, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
One of the most promising pipelines for public works jobs in Columbus, Ohio, runs through a women’s prison. That unlikely partnership — and a bureaucratic overhaul in Baltimore — are at the center of new Work for America case studies showing how cities can solve chronic workforce shortages by rethinking where and who they recruit. Work for America, a nonprofit focused on rebuilding the talent pipeline for state and local governments, developed the case studies in partnership with the city of Baltimore, the city of Columbus, the American Public Works Association and the Public Sector HR Association to showcase proactive, data-driven and inclusive recruiting strategies, according to a Work for America press release. “Baltimore and Columbus prove there's no single fix for the public works hiring crisis,” Work for America Executive Director Caitlin Lewis said in the press release. “One city changed how hiring works; the other changed who gets to be hired. When leaders fix broken systems instead of working around them, our cities get stronger.” Baltimore “redesigned its recruitment strategy from the inside out,” according to that city’s case study. It established predictable interview schedules, revamped its hiring events, strengthened communication with candidates, revitalized apprenticeship programs and designated a staff recruitment lead. The rebuilt hiring procedures have helped Baltimore’s Department of General Services significantly reduce time-to-hire and fill vacancies in critical roles, the case study states. Through a partnership with the Ohio Reformatory for Women, Columbus connects candidates to public works careers, “tapping into a group of job-ready workers preparing to enter the workforce who faced limited access to stable career pathways,” the Columbus case study states. “By aligning this prepared but underutilized talent pool with its workforce needs, Columbus was able to expand access to public works careers while addressing critical staffing gaps.” Both strategies exemplify the
May 29, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
"Innovative Market Solutions to Help Businesses Make Informed Decisions" The Cellular Concretemarket size was valued at USD 2.35 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.49 billion in 2026 to USD 4.03 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.19% during the forecast period. The Cellular Concrete Market is expanding steadily due to increasing demand for lightweight construction materials, sustainable building solutions, and advanced infrastructure development technologies. Cellular concrete is widely used in residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects because of its low density, thermal insulation, fire resistance, and reduced structural load properties. Cellular Concrete Market Analysis indicates that contractors and developers are increasingly adopting aerated concrete and foam concrete for road sub-bases, bridge fills, void filling, and energy-efficient building applications. The Cellular Concrete Market Report highlights growing interest in environmentally friendly construction materials that reduce raw material usage while improving structural performance and construction efficiency across modern urban development projects. The United States Cellular Concrete Market is witnessing increasing adoption in transportation infrastructure, residential construction, and utility rehabilitation projects. Contractors are using cellular concrete for lightweight fill applications, slope stabilization, trench backfilling, and geotechnical engineering projects due to improved installation efficiency and lower labor requirements. Nearly 35% of North American cellular concrete demand originates from the United States because of ongoing highway modernization and smart infrastructure expansion. Cellular Concrete Industry Analysis in the country also reflects rising investment in green building materials and energy-efficient construction practices. Commercial developers are increasingly integrating foam concrete systems into large-scale mixed-use construction and urban redevelopment projects. The Cellular Concrete Market Trends reveal rising demand for sustainable and energy-efficient construction materials across residential and infrastructure sectors. Builders and contractors are increasingly adopting lightweight concrete technologies to reduce structural load and improve thermal insulation performance. Cellular Concrete Market Research Report findings
May 29, 2026 · via fortunebusinessinsights.com
St Pete Innovation District celebrates 10 years, looks to future The St. Pete Innovation District is a hub of research, entrepreneurship, education, and collaboration. 2026 has already been an eventful year for the St. Petersburg Innovation District. It reached the 10th-anniversary milestone, created a road map for future growth with its first-ever master plan, and rallied to support a cornerstone member after a fire tore through the University of South Florida College of Marine Science laboratory building in early May, destroying decades of research. St. Pete is a city of residential neighborhoods and commercial districts, each with their own look and feel. Directly south of downtown, the Innovation District is 560 acres with two hospital complexes, a university campus, a marine research mecca, a business incubator, a marine and defense tech office hub, a world-renowned museum, an influential journalism institute, an airport, a port, and government, nonprofit, and private sector research organizations. “Innovation districts are really interesting,” St. Petersburg Innovation District Executive Director Alison Barlow says. “They bring together the physical place with the economic drivers – the businesses, the incubators, the accelerators – and figure out ways to network all of those together. The way I describe it is, when one of our partners is doing really cool work, they own it, they 100 percent own it. Our job is to amplify, to raise awareness, get people interested, and help them find future partners. When it’s a project that needs multiple partners working together, that’s where we’re really good. We convene them. We lead them. We coordinate.” Decade of investment The Innovation District was officially established in 2016, just as one founding partner, All Children’s Hospital, was expanding its research and academic missions as a member of the Johns Hopkins Medicine system. “It was perfect timing for us to
May 29, 2026 · via 83degreesmedia.com
Abstract Atmospheric emissions pose significant challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As key sources of emissions, cities are also critical actors in driving sustainable transitions. Their performance on emission-related SDG indicators is shaped not only by local factors but also by inter-city interactions. However, the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of these interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate inter-city SDG interactions across 4,116 cities worldwide from 2010 to 2020, and simulate SDG performance under five interaction scenarios, including isolated and collaborative conditions. Results reveal that a 10% improvement in SDG 11.6 (particulate matter), SDG 12.4 (gaseous pollutants), and SDG 13.2 (greenhouse gases) in other cities can boost the focal city’s performance by 0.450%, 0.390%, and 0.200%, respectively. Most cities (93.51%) are influenced by other cities. Inter-city coordination can improve SDG performance by 10.81% compared to isolated efforts. These findings highlight the importance of coordinated strategies to enhance urban sustainability. Funding This research is supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council’s collaborative research funds (project no. C6032-21G to M.L.), general research fund (project no. 16300424 & 16215820 to M.L.), theme-based research scheme (project no. T22-501/23 R, T22-607/24-N to M.L.), NSFC/RGC Collaborative Fund (project no. CRS_PolyU503/23 to M.L.), “1 + 1 + 1”Joint Funding Program (project no. 2025A0505000018 to M.L.), National Science Foundation (2118329 to J.L.), Michigan AgBioResearch (to J.L.), and the Excellent Young Scientists Fund from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42422105 to Z.X.). All co-authors at HKUST acknowledge the support by the Otto Poon Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability at HKUST. This research has received funding from Global STEM Professorship (to Q.W), Hong Kong SAR Government (P0039329 to Q.W), and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (P0046482 and P0038446 to Q.W). This work is part of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization
May 29, 2026 · via nature.com
Fashion’s climate ambitions are accelerating at pace. Net-zero targets, decarbonization roadmaps, and sustainability pledges have become standard markers of industry leadership and a respectable brand identity. But beneath this forward momentum, a more uncomfortable reality is emerging, one that is less about what the industry promises, and more about how those promises are being delivered. — By Sakshi Gupta As fashion brands push for rapid emission reductions across their supply chains, a critical contradiction is emerging: the costs of transformation are not being shared equally. Instead, they are being systematically pushed downstream. Nowhere is this more visible than in major manufacturing hubs like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia, where suppliers are under increasing pressure to decarbonize production. The fashion industry produces an estimated 3-4% of global carbon emissions, with up to 80% of these emissions coming from manufacturers concentrated in Asia. Recognizing this, brands have committed to decarbonizing their supply chains and sharply cut emissions through innovative technologies. In order to remain competitive, factories are investing in energy-efficient machinery, transitioning toward renewable energy, and pursuing green building certifications. These are not marginal adjustments but capital-intensive restructuring that requires long-term planning and financial stability. Yet the commercial environment in which suppliers operate has hardly changed. Prices and margins remain tightly controlled, contracts are often short-term, and order volumes fluctuate. The expectation is clear: suppliers must comply, but largely at their own expense. High Costs, Little Reward This dynamic has created what can be understood as a growing “climate cost gap” – a structural imbalance between who is expected to deliver decarbonization and who has the financial capacity to do so. The scale of this gap is significant. In Bangladesh alone, the investment required to decarbonize the garment sector runs into billions of dollars, while industry-wide estimates suggest that over $1 trillion will
May 29, 2026 · via earth.org
Since 2015, Alessandro Ghinelli has led Arezzo, a city of 100,000 in the heart of Tuscany, with a philosophy that connects culture, peace and European collaboration into a single vision of what a city can be. As his mandate draws to a close, he reflects on eleven years of work that has taken Arezzo far beyond its walls. A city that opens its walls Arezzo is a place of deep history and cultural significance, shaped by Etruscan, Roman and Renaissance civilisations. It is also the birthplace of Guido d’Arezzo, the medieval monk who invented musical notation. “Music is an international, worldwide language,” says Alessandro. “You give a written part of music to a person in China and in the United States, and they play the same music. That is very important and it started here in Arezzo.” Alessandro arrived at the mayor’s office in 2015 with a background in engineering and academia and a practical mindset. For him, culture is heritage to be preserved and a vehicle for connection. Culture has to be the path through which you are able to make connections. “Culture has to be the path through which you are able to make connections,” he says. “History, heritage, arts, music, these are things other cities recognise and respond to.” Alongside culture, two convictions have defined his time in office: that cities must make their voices heard on the global stage, and the importance of solidarity between cities. Eleven years on, Arezzo is still evolving. What Alessandro leaves behind is a city that has learned the value of looking beyond its own walls. “A second economic engine” When Alessandro took office in 2015, Arezzo was facing an economic crisis. The city’s most important local bank had just collapsed, leaving the already struggling manufacturing sector without a key financial
May 28, 2026 · via eurocities.eu
Thursday’s Headlines Lots of follow-up on other stories we've covered, either by ourselves or in headlines. 9:47 AM PDT on May 28, 2026 Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org. More from Streetsblog California Here’s How to Vote Before Election Day in California Changes in federal post office regulations mean that it may already be too late to send in your ballot, depending where you live. But there's still a lot of ways to make sure your vote counts, including voting on election day like our grandparents used to last century. May 28, 2026 America Keeps Building Stadiums Like Transit Doesn’t Matter What would it take to build a truly transit-oriented sports stadium in Washington D.C., rather than repeating the mistakes of the past? May 27, 2026 Bay Area Advocates Rally to Stop State Giveaway to Oil Companies Governor Newsom's environmental agency wants to rob cash-strapped transit operators and give the money to the worst polluters, ostensibly to help with high gas prices May 27, 2026 Support L.A. River Path – Motion at Metro Board Meeting Tomorrow Contact your Metro representative today. Now, actually. It will take less time than reading this article. May 27, 2026 An Update on Contactless Fare Payment across Agencies in California Once Tap Plus launches later this year, it will be available on the agencies that operate roughly 95% of public transit trips in
May 28, 2026 · via cal.streetsblog.org
Ayala Group inks MOUs for smart city, digital infrastructure With Japanese firms MANILA, Philippines — The Ayala Group is set to expand Filipinos’ access to digital and financial products and services through partnerships with Japanese firms forged during President Marcos’ state visit to Japan. The group signed in Tokyo a series of strategic memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Japanese partners to help expand Filipinos’ access to more intelligent urban services, more inclusive financial solutions and data-driven digital platforms. The partnerships bring together Ayala Corp., Globe Telecom, GCash parent company Mynt, Mitsubishi Corp., MUFG and KDDI to pursue high-impact collaborations across intelligent cities, digital finance and data-driven ecosystems. “These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to nation-building, leveraging innovation, infrastructure and technology to support the Philippines’ long-term growth,” Ayala president and CEO Cezar Consing said. Consing said the Ayala Group and its Japanese partners are working to build intelligent urban environments and expand GCash’s role as a powerful platform for financial inclusion. “We are creating more connected cities, more inclusive financial systems and more opportunities for Filipinos to participate in and benefit from the digital economy,” he said. Among the agreements signed is the development of “Intelligent City” initiatives, a pioneering partnership with Makati, in which the partners will explore data-driven urban platforms powered by artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and advanced connectivity. Globe’s network will support the initiatives to enhance business productivity and support sustainable growth across sectors such as mobility, retail, energy and infrastructure. Ayala said this is complemented by a joint push to accelerate financial inclusion growth, leveraging the combined strengths of the group, MUFG and Mitsubishi. The collaboration will focus on expanding the quality of financial services, deepening ecosystem integration, enabling cross-border opportunities and advancing digital innovation to drive financial inclusion. To support these efforts, Ayala said
May 28, 2026 · via philstar.com