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As ARPA winds down, small <b>cities</b> ace the infrastructure funding test: NLC

While most municipalities rely primarily on property taxes to pay for infrastructure, smaller cities have increasingly turned to local, cash-based funding rather than debt financing over the last four years, according to the National League of Cities’ 2026 infrastructure report. That financial strategy has left them well-positioned for the future, one expert says. From 2022 through 2026, 71% of the cities surveyed used both debt financing and cash-based funding to pay for capital infrastructure. Twenty percent relied exclusively on cash funding, and 9% relied solely on debt financing. But for smaller cities, “there’s a hidden story here,” the report’s lead author, Farhad Omeyr, NLC program director, research and data, told Smart Cities Dive. Omeyr said cities with populations below 50,000 often aren’t well-positioned to issue debt to pay for infrastructure, so they rely on their general fund — “meaning their piggy bank, basically.” Those piggy banks have been full over the last four years due to strong property tax revenues and American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, he said. Because they’ve had more cash on hand over the last four years, smaller cities have tended to rely on cash-based infrastructure payments rather than dealing with the bond market, Omeyr said. But that cash is drying up. Omeyr estimates cities’ ARPA and SLFRF money will be spent in “three years, tops. And if property taxes start to taper off, that’s another piece of the puzzle that smaller communities need to consider” when it comes to infrastructure funding. The good news is that the report found smaller communities rarely used their SLFRF funds for infrastructure maintenance, Omeyr said. Instead, they’ve earmarked that money for major projects like building bridges and roads and used their “piggy banks” for maintenance. Consequently, he believes many smaller cities will be well-positioned to

ClearGov launches interactive AI platform to communicate city budgets | <b>Smart Cities</b> Dive

Dive Brief: - ClearGov launched an AI-powered platform last week designed to turn city budget data into easy-to-understand budget summaries with interactive visuals for constituents, it said in a news release. - The Financial Engagement platform also offers city finance teams AI insights into community values and budget expectations, as well as two-way feedback channels with the public that can include polls, surveys and open questions shared via web and text messaging. - Rochester Hills, Michigan; Cleveland; Placer County, California; and Southwest Public Libraries in Ohio participated in the platform’s early adopter program. Dive Insight: As more local governments embrace AI’s promise of increased efficiency, public sentiment around the technology has lagged. One survey last year found that half of U.S. residents are “uncomfortable” with the government’s AI use. In a ClearGov case study, Rochester Hills officials said they wanted to use the Financial Engagement platform to hear from a wider array of residents. “We do have those members from the public that seem to come to every single council meeting and have their opinions, but that’s really the vocal minority,” Rochester Hills CFO Joe Snyder said in the case study. “We really wanted to get a better sense of the silent majority of residents that are out there.” The city used an AI chatbot to field questions about its 300-page budget and received “hundreds” of resident comments within weeks of launch, spanning every major service area, including roads, public safety and parks, according to the case study. The city’s platform, which is available year-round, includes an interactive pie chart of its expenditures and lists infrastructure investments and capital improvement projects. The feedback channels helped the city identify residents’ desire for better pathways near schools, according to the case study, and enabled the city to turn its data into "a

33rd Convergence India &amp; 11th Smart <b>Future Cities</b> India Expo Set to Accelerate AI, 6G, and ...

33rd Convergence India & 11th Smart Future Cities India Expo Set to Accelerate AI, 6G, and Next-Generation Urban Innovation NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 20: The 33rd Convergence India & 11th Smart Future Cities India Expo 2026, jointly organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Exhibitions India Group (EIG), with support from IndiaAI Mission, Digital India and MeitY, is set to mark a defining milestone in India's digital and urban transformation journey. Scheduled for March 23-25, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, this three-day expo will bring together participants from 25 countries, featuring cutting-edge advancements and solutions in telecom, satcom, 6G, AI, big data, IoT, cybersecurity, smart governance, fintech, semiconductors, embedded tech, smart mobility, and more, to an audience exceeding 50,000. The event will feature global technology companies, such as Google, AWS, Microsoft, Zoom, Escort Sensors, Telit Cinterion, and more, alongside a distinguished lineup of speakers, including; Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, TRAI; Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT & CEO, IndiaAI Mission; A. Dhanalakshmi, Joint Secretary, Department of Science & Technology; Dr. J. B. V. Reddy, Head - Quantum Technology Cell, DST; Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow; H.E. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain, amongst 200 leaders from government and industry. Sharing his views about the prestigious event, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister for MSME said 'Convergence India has long been a champion of India's digital revolution, and Smart Cities India has played a crucial role in the country's ongoing modernisation development initiatives. By supporting the Government of India's vision of 'Digital India', 'Make in India', and 'Smart Cities Mission', this leading expo provides a kind of international forum to showcase 'Brand India' and focus on unlocking new opportunities in India's economic revolution.' Additionally, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of

California's SB 54 kicks off a fresh look at reuse and refill collection | Waste Dive

As producers prepare to comply with California’s extended producer responsibility law, SB 54, the state is becoming a testing ground for reusable packaging collection and refill programs. CalRecycle issued a set of source reduction needs assessments earlier this year that gave an initial look at what this means for collection systems in the state. These reports — one focused on the actions and investments needed across the value chain, and another delved into opportunities and barriers — lay out the costs, benefits, and complexities of reuse and refill packaging systems. SB 54 requires producers to reduce plastic packaging materials by 10% by 2027, 20% by 2030 and 25% by 2032. At least 10% of that must come from source reduction – meaning actually eliminating some single-use packaging through strategies like reuse and refill. Research and consulting firms Eunomia and Perpetual contributed to the studies, which explore various reuse models and strategies. The assessments note that closed-loop reuse systems, where haulers are not needed if collection and cleaning is done onsite, are among the most attractive in the near term. The most effective examples included transitioning from single-use to reusable foodservice ware in schools or stadiums, expanding business-to-business reuse models and scaling business-to-consumer models that are based on “prefill” packaging. A prefill model relies on reverse logistics operations to collect and clean reusable packaging. In California, Straus Family Creamery uses returnable glass bottles for some of its milk products. Consumers pay a $3 deposit, which is refunded when they return the empty bottle to the store. According to Straus, customers return and reuse more than 3.5 million bottles annually. Elizabeth Balkan, a zero-waste policy and systems consultant who worked with Perpetual on the assessment, said prefill models reduce consumer burden while allowing the producer to reduce packaging waste. In a retail

Turkmenistan's energy experts discuss best practices in strengthening energy security ...

News Item Turkmenistan’s energy experts discuss best practices in strengthening energy security during an OSCE-organized study visit to Spain - Issued on: - Issued by: - OSCE Centre in Ashgabat - Fields of work: - Environmental activities Best practices in promoting energy security and resilience of renewable energy sector were shared during an OSCE-organized study visit to Barcelona, Spain, that is taking place on 26 and 27 May 2026. Representatives of the Ministry of Energy and the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan visited the Research Centre of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (CITCEA- UPC) where they gained insights into security policy, integration of renewable energy sources, grid stability, and energy transition planning. Their discussions with counterparts from Spain centred on smart grids, decentralized generation, demand management and risk resilience in energy systems. “This study visit aims to enhance the professional capacity of representatives of the State Energy Institute and the Ministry of Energy in the areas of energy security, renewable energy resilience, and innovation-based energy solutions, as well as to strengthen institutional and academic capacity by sharing practical OSCE experiences,” said Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. The delegation will also meet with experts from the Specialized Hydrogen Research Center of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and exchange views on such topical issues as urban energy sustainability, local energy communities, energy management in smart cities and energy supply continuity. They will also explore innovative approaches to energy, power systems, electronics, and power supply.

How public-private partnerships are powering the next generation of <b>smart cities</b>

El Paso, Texas is proud of its business-friendly atmosphere and ability to attract and sustain world-class companies. In fact, El Paso has been actively working to grow its advanced manufacturing sector and ranks fifth in North America for manufacturing hubs with the highest employment. Partnering with energy technology partner Schneider Electric is one part of El Paso’s long-term vision to develop a community where both local companies and residents flourish. A legacy of successful public-private partnership El Paso has the skilled workforce needed to build specialized products, partly thanks to its top-notch engineering schools. That has attracted major companies to El Paso County, including Schneider Electric, which has been part of the El Paso community since 2001. The company’s El Paso manufacturing campus is Schneider Electric’s largest manufacturing footprint in the U.S., with more than 2,500 employees. A fifth plant currently under construction will create 300 new jobs as part of Schneider Electric’s push to modernize and expand its electric equipment manufacturing facilities. Expanding the company’s existing campus in El Paso to keep up with growing demand for switchgear and power distribution products is a key component of that investment. Municipal infrastructure modernization initiative In January 2025, El Paso County and Schneider Electric launched a sweeping municipal infrastructure modernization initiative across 30 county facilities. Under the leadership of Chief Administrator Betsy Keller, a 2026 Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winner, these improvements are slated to deliver increased energy and cost efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and improve the lives of El Paso County's residents. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. This multi-phase project will begin by addressing critical infrastructure needs, including: - Upgrades to the mechanical plant at the Courthouse - Enhancements to the building automation system at the Courthouse - Water efficiency improvements at the Jail Annex

XJTLU, UN-Habitat, and Suwon launch pioneering report at WUF13

26 May 2026 On 20 May 2026, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) hosted a World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) Urban Library event titled “Co-producing Adequate Housing Monitoring: Smart Inclusive Transitions towards Equitable Cities (SIT)”. In collaboration with UN-Habitat’s Knowledge and Innovation Branch, Suwon Research Institute, Suwon Special City, and Seoul National University, the event marked the launch of “Smart Inclusive Transitions (SIT) for an Equitable Urban Future in Suwon”, a milestone publication documenting the first full application of the SIT Framework in Suwon Special City, South Korea. Led by XJTLU and Seoul National University, the report shows how cities can assess whether smart urban transformation is improving quality of life, regardless of age, gender, and location, and how the SIT monitoring framework can move beyond assessment to inform governance, budgeting, policy coordination, and service delivery. Dr Robert Ndugwa, Head of Data and Analytics at UN-Habitat highlighted: “A key contribution of the report is proof of the methodology which allows cities to bring together key data sets from the Global Urban Monitoring Framework with data from citizens and the local policy level, to understand the complex interconnections that make up cities.” Dr Jaemin Song from Seoul National University said that digital innovation like this can power co-production and collaborative governance in cities. “However, strong digital innovation does not by itself guarantee equity, because it may not reach the most vulnerable populations. As high overall scores of the cities can hide critical vulnerabilities, effective urban analysis must be able to zoom out for the big picture while drilling down into the specific details,” she added. The following discussion, chaired by Dr Juhyun Lee from XJTLU’s Department of Urban Planning and Design, highlighted the potential of the SIT Framework to support future city-to-city learning and international cooperation. Hakeem Badejo, President of the Association of

Istanbul's Ayamama Life Valley brings a stream corridor back to life

What was once a stream corridor prone to dangerous flooding has been transformed into a thriving ecological park. Urban and Regional Planner Dr. Melek Karahasan explains how Istanbul’s Ayamama Life Valley became one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Grey to green As one of the world’s most densely populated cities, access to nature in Istanbul is not always guaranteed. The city is home to 16 million residents with tourists bumping that number up to 20 million. Per person, Istanbul has around eight square meters of green space, roughly the size of a parking space – well below European averages. As a flagship of Istanbul’s Green Strategy, the project is transforming a 800,000 m² degraded stream corridor into a resilient ecological park using nature-based solutions. The corridor had long been a symbol of urban neglect. It was an industrially polluted stream bed surrounded by uncontrolled development, dumping sites, and chronic flooding. The urban heat island effect, caused by intensive concrete surfaces, compounded the problem. It was a space to be avoided rather than enjoyed. The project set out to change that through innovative ecological engineering. Techniques like hydroseeding, which rapidly establishes vegetation by spraying seeds and nutrients across the land, alongside native planting and permeable surfaces, helped restore ecological balance while reducing flood risk and heat.Over the past five years, 6,000 mature trees have been planted, sequestering 132 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The stream corridor that people once avoided has now become an active urban living space. As Melek puts it, “The stream corridor that people once avoided has now become an active urban living space.” High stakes, high ambition The combination of a rapidly growing population, unplanned urbanisation, industrial activity, and insufficient drainage infrastructure had turned the Ayamama stream into a disaster waiting to happen. The corridor had

How heat-<b>smart cities</b> can protect outdoor recreation in a warming world

Review: The future of nature-based recreation in warming tropical cities. Image Credit: taka1022 / Shutterstock A recent review article published in the journal npj Urban Sustainability reviewed evidence on outdoor recreation and humid heat stress in tropical cities. Cities worldwide are shifting toward urban greening to harness nature's benefits. Nature-based recreation in cities can promote physical and mental health, enhance community resilience, and strengthen social cohesion. However, outdoor recreation in tropical cities often means exposure to hot, humid conditions that are thermally uncomfortable, which, in extreme cases, can even be unsafe for humans. Public health recommendations may be perceived as conflicting because they encourage outdoor recreation while also warning against heat exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the appropriate outdoor exposure levels in hot environments to differentiate between harmful heat stress and safe exposure. In the present review, researchers summarized evidence on outdoor recreation and humid heat stress in tropical cities and outlined adaptation strategies. Rise in urban heat in tropical regions Extreme temperatures have increased in intensity and frequency worldwide due to elevated greenhouse gas emissions, with urban warming further amplifying these trends. Increased heat from air conditioning use or transportation, construction materials that retain more heat, surface sealing that reduces evapotranspiration and infiltration, and altered surface geometry all drive urban warming. High temperature and humidity in tropical cities can lead to adverse health outcomes. While the contribution of humidity to heat-related health outcomes is debatable, there is consensus that increased heat stress may deteriorate population health. Many tropical cities are projected to undergo rapid urbanization over the coming decades, with climate change expected to worsen heat hazards in humid, hot regions. Tropical urban populations face heat health vulnerability The increase in heat stress means tropical urban populations are often exposed to adverse climates. While the physiological limits

HCM <b>City</b> promotes <b>smart</b> landscape, healthy living

| Delegates discuss landscape design, architecture, and technologies at the Green – Smart – Sustainable Living forum held in HCM City on May 25. —VNS Photo Thu Hằng | HCM CITY — The green economy is projected to contribute more than 10 per cent of Việt Nam’s GDP by 2030 and create hundreds of thousands of jobs, experts said at a forum in HCM City. The Green – Smart – Sustainable Living forum was organised by the HCM City Startup and Innovation Hub, HCM City University of Architecture and Gallery Architecture & Materials on Monday. Nguyễn Thu Phong, vice president of the Việt Nam Association of Architects and founder of Gallery Architecture & Materials, said: “In the context of rapid urbanisation in Việt Nam, the need for green, healthy, and health-friendly living spaces is becoming increasingly urgent.” The combination of landscape design, architecture, and technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, smart homes, and smart landscapes is opening up a completely new approach to urban living spaces – smaller, smarter, while still ensuring ecological balance and a quality living experience, Phong said. The rise of offshore wind power and various smart city initiatives across Việt Nam is unlocking huge opportunities for clean energy, sustainable materials, and IoT solutions. With more than 40 smart city projects underway nationwide, there is significant demand for IoT solutions in urban landscape management, lighting, and operations, he said. It is projected that by 2030, the green economy could contribute over 10 per cent to GDP, he said. To showcase cutting-edge products and technologies, the Smart Landscape & Healthy Living Expo is scheduled to take place in HCM City from July 17–19. The event will bring together more than 50 businesses and startups spanning six key fields: smart home and smart landscape, materials

The XXV International Exhibition and Conference &quot;White <b>City</b> Ashgabat 2026&quot; Concludes ...

Today, the Turkmen capital saw the conclusion of the two-day high-level international forum dedicated to sustainable urban development, infrastructure, industry, energy, and investment cooperation. Held under the theme “Architecture. Innovation. Sustainable Development,” this event has become an effective platform for discussing the most critical aspects of modern urbanisation in the region and globally. The international exhibition and conference, organized to mark this significant milestone, brought together government members, heads of international organizations and diplomatic missions, representatives of major financial institutions, investment companies, as well as leading global construction, architectural, and technology enterprises from dozens of countries worldwide. Over the course of two days, a comprehensive and extensive programme was organized for the participants, featuring the official opening ceremony, an international exhibition, a High-Level United Nations Roundtable, the Strategic Plenary Session “Ashgabat – 2045,” as well as productive bilateral B2B and B2G meetings. The High-Level UN Roundtable titled “From Global Dialogue to Local Action: Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, and Smart Cities,” held within the framework of the forum, carried particular significance. This meeting focused on integrating global experience in building sustainable cities with the national programmes being implemented in Turkmenistan. The Strategic Plenary Session “Ashgabat – 2045” highlighted the key vectors of the capital’s long-term development strategy as a resilient, environmentally friendly, and fully digitalized multi-profile city. On the second day of the conference, experiences were exchanged on concrete areas, including financial and investment conditions for future cities, construction ecosystems, innovations, and the modernization of energy systems. Speaking on the outcomes of the international forum, the Mayor of Ashgabat, Rahym Gandymov, noted: “The glorious XXV ‘White City Ashgabat’ international forum has once again proven to be a prestigious international platform for defining future directions of cooperation. Our country brought together representatives from more than 50 nations to discuss the architecture of the

Wilo East Africa Signs Early-Phase Pump Deal for Nairobi River Basin Restoration

The Nairobi River Basin Ecological Restoration Project has secured a key infrastructure boost following the signing of an early-phase pump supply agreement between Wilo Group’s East Africa division and Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau Kenya Limited. - Nairobi River Basin restoration gains momentum - A shift toward integrated urban water solutions - Wastewater infrastructure remains a critical gap - Economic case for water investment - Pump technology central to urban resilience - Regional infrastructure partnerships expanding - Growing demand for sustainable urban infrastructure - Outlook for African cities The agreement supports early-stage implementation of one of Kenya’s most ambitious integrated urban water and ecological restoration initiatives. The project focuses on improving wastewater infrastructure, strengthening flood management capacity, and restoring degraded ecological systems along the Nairobi River Basin. According to Belete A. Matebe, the initiative reflects the growing urgency to address urban water stress across Africa. Nairobi River Basin restoration gains momentum The Nairobi River Basin Ecological Restoration Project is expected to play a central role in improving sanitation systems, reducing flood risks, and restoring ecological balance along Nairobi’s river corridors. The Nairobi River has for years been affected by: - Untreated wastewater discharge - Industrial effluent inflows - Solid waste accumulation Matebe emphasized that these challenges are not unique to Kenya but reflect a broader continental issue affecting rapidly urbanizing cities. “Across Africa, over 80% of wastewater is discharged untreated, while rapid urbanization expected to double by 2050 continues to intensify pressure on urban rivers,” said Matebe. He added that polluted waterways, recurring flooding, and associated economic losses are increasingly making river restoration projects critical infrastructure investments rather than optional environmental interventions. A shift toward integrated urban water solutions Matebe described the Nairobi River Basin project as part of a wider continental transition toward resilient and integrated water infrastructure systems. “I

Massachusetts <b>SMART</b> Program 2026: Why Most Solar Installers

Massachusetts SMART Program 2026: Why Most Solar Installers Leave Homeowners $3,000+ on the Table Dave Simmer, NABCEP-trained solar designer with 15 years of South Shore experience, exposes common SMART enrollment mistakes that cost Massachusetts homeowners thousands in lost incentive credits.Scituate, MA - The Massachusetts SMART program (Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target) pays homeowners approximately $0.03 per kilowatt-hour produced over a guaranteed 10-year contract. For the average South Shore residential system, that's $3,500-$4,000 in predictable incentive income. Yet most installers treat SMART enrollment as an afterthought - a checkbox task they hand off to administrative staff. The result? Homeowners miss enrollment deadlines, get locked into suboptimal block rates, and fail to claim cap-exempt status that could improve queue positioning. "I've reviewed proposals from national installers that completely miss Massachusetts-specific nuances," said Dave Simmer, owner of Solar Dave MA. "They design systems for national metrics, not for how National Grid and Eversource actually allocate incentives in our region. My homeowners don't leave money on the table because I treat SMART as a core design input, not an afterthought." THE SMART PROGRAM MISTAKES SIMMER SEES REGULARLY: Mistake #1: Timing the enrollment wrong. The SMART program operates in "blocks" - each block has a set capacity. When a block fills, the next block opens at a lower incentive rate. Many installers don't monitor block status closely. Homeowners who could have enrolled in a higher-rate block end up in a lower one because their installer missed the queue. Cost: $500-$1,500+ over 10 years per system. Mistake #2: Ignoring cap-exempt status. Certain customer categories (municipal buildings, nonprofits, community solar subscribers) have exemptions from capacity caps. For residential customers in cap-constrained blocks, this matters less - but for commercial solar on public buildings or multi-tenant properties, missing cap-exempt designation can delay interconnection by months. Simmer regularly works on

Japan and Kazakhstan: A Partnership for an Age of Energy Insecurity and Nuclear Risk

Japan and Kazakhstan: A Partnership for an Age of Energy Insecurity and Nuclear Risk TOKYO, Japan, May 25 (IPS) - The relationship between Japan and Kazakhstan is often described in terms of diplomacy, investment and regional cooperation. But at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, it deserves to be understood in broader terms: as a partnership linking cities, resources, technology and peace. Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, offers a powerful symbol of that evolving relationship. Built on the vast steppes of Central Asia, the city is often described as a futuristic capital, with glass-and-steel towers, broad boulevards and monumental architecture reflecting the aspirations of a young state seeking to define its place in the 21st century. For Japan, however, Astana is not simply a distant capital. Its master plan was shaped in part by the late Kisho Kurokawa, one of Japan’s leading architects, who sought to combine Kazakhstan’s nomadic heritage, harsh natural environment and state-building ambitions with forward-looking urban design. That historical connection is now taking on new meaning as Japan and Kazakhstan expand cooperation in smart cities, green technologies, energy security and nuclear disarmament. On May 22, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike in Astana to discuss cooperation in smart city development, digital technologies, finance, education, emergency response and sustainable urban management. Tokyo, one of the world’s most densely populated metropolitan areas, has developed advanced systems in public safety, disaster preparedness, transportation and administrative services. For rapidly growing Astana, Tokyo’s experience provides a valuable reference point. This is not merely technical cooperation. It points to a new form of urban diplomacy, in which cities work directly together to address shared challenges such as climate change, disaster risk, energy efficiency, digital governance and sustainable growth. In an age when many of the world’s most urgent problems are experienced first

BPX Explores How Digital Twin Systems Are Transforming <b>Smart City</b> Development

BPX Explores How Digital Twin Systems Are Transforming Smart City Development Modern cities are composed of multiple interconnected systems such as transportation, energy, utilities, buildings, public space, etc. Digital Twins are used to build a real-time model of the physical infrastructure of an urban environment. Digital Twins allow for the simulation of an enormous number of possible scenarios relating to traffic patterns and congestion relief, energy use and optimisation. Also, the system helps understand how maintenance for roadways and transit services will be conducted in a timely manner. Get Insights from BPX to Streamline your Business Processes: https://businessprocessxperts.com/contact/ According to BPX's Head, Nikhil Agarwal, âThere is a need for better coordination of physical infrastructure, technology, and information. Digital twins enable planners to see and understand the impact of various infrastructure designs before actually building them. This provides a much lower risk for planners prior to actual construction.â The adoption of ðð¶ð´ð¶ðð®ð¹ ððð¶ð»ð is also transforming how governments approach large-scale infrastructure investments. Instead of relying solely on static models or historical data, city authorities can now evaluate multiple development scenarios. The simulated environment ensures better planning. Additionally, it provides improved cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability for major infrastructure projects. ðð»ðð²ð¹ð¹ð¶ð´ð²ð»ð ð¨ð¿ð¯ð®ð» ðð²ðð²ð¹ð¼ð½ðºð²ð»ð ðð¶ððµ ðð¶ð´ð¶ðð®ð¹ ð§ðð¶ð»ð Beyond visualization, the true power of digital twin systems lies in their ability to convert vast amounts of urban data into actionable insights. Cities generate enormous data streams from transportation networks and energy consumption to environmental conditions and population movement. When integrated into a digital twin environment, this data becomes a powerful tool for predictive planning. Get Insights from BPX to Streamline your Business Processes: https://businessprocessxperts.com/contact/ "ðð¶ð´ð¶ðð®ð¹ ððð¶ð» ðð²ð°ðµð»ð¼ð¹ð¼ð´ð is changing the way cities see their infrastructure," comments Rupal Agarwal, Co-Founder of BPX. "Through the combination of data, simulation, and intelligent modelling, digital twins give city

Seamless data sharing you can trust - CORDIS

Seamless data sharing you can trust Data is empowering industries to change our lives. However, to be able to innovate, Europe’s industries – be it in health, agriculture, energy, mobility or finance – need to be able to share data securely while still controlling who accesses it and how they use it. This is why data spaces are important, and they are gaining significant momentum in Europe. However, seamless interaction between them remains an issue. The EU-funded DS2(opens in new window) project is addressing this hurdle with its modular, state-of-the-art environment that enables secure inter-data spaces and trusted data exchange across sectors. Solving the interoperability challenge Incompatible technologies, varying levels of technical readiness and a lack of established trust are just some of the problems participants from different data spaces face when deciding to share data. The DS2 project is solving these data networking problems by providing the additional layers of trust, governance and orchestration needed to share structured and unstructured data seamlessly across different ecosystems. To make this happen, the DS2 team has developed the Intersector Dataspace Toolkit, or IDT. With this innovative toolkit, organisations can build customised, sovereign data ecosystems without relying on overly complex information and communication technology infrastructure. The DS2 platform makes it possible for different data spaces to agree on collaboration parameters and safely share data. It offers easy-to-install software capabilities tailored for organisations of all sizes and also provides tools that seamlessly integrate data space operations with an organisation’s existing internal data management systems. Last but not least, it offers advanced tools for cross-space data sharing, processing and management. Impact in the real world DS2 is testing its tools in three real-world environments in Greece, Romania and Slovenia. The Greek use case, based in Volos in northern Greece, aims to demonstrate how the IDT

Why Fast-Growing <b>Cities</b> in Europe Need <b>Smarter</b> Transportation Planning

Modern in that which is observed in Europe today is the requirement for what can be termed “progressive infrastructure strategies,” which address present-day issues of mobility and, at the same time, which also look to the future with respect to demand. In this setting, transport engineering takes on a key role in the design of efficient, safe, and flexible road transport systems that support long-term growth. Rapid Urban Growth and Pressure on Road Networks In many European cities, growth outpaces what its transport infrastructure is able to keep up with. Also, it is seen that in very historic city layouts that have dense urban cores and very little room for expansion of roads, that which is done for traffic management is made all the more complex. When urban development outstrips growth in transport, the following issues are seen: - Growth in traffic in city centers and suburbs - Longer daily commute times - Higher fuel consumption and carbon emissions - Freight and logistics flow between regions - Reduced productivity in urban economies Without proper planning, even the best-developed European transport networks can become inefficient and overloaded. Importance of Transportation Planning Expertise in Europe In Europe transportation engineering consultants in Orlando play a key role in the design of present-day road networks and mobility systems. They support governments, municipalities, and infrastructure developers in the issue of growing transport demand, which at the same time sees an improvement in safety and efficiency. These professionals study traffic flow patterns, predict future growth, and put in place infrastructure improvements, which also play into urban development and environmental rules. Their responsibilities often include: - Impact study of traffic for new residential and commercial projects - Improvement of highway and arterial road systems - Integration of public transit into the road network - Design of bike