Using the fourth space to help cities cope with Covid-19

At SmartCitiesWorld’s inaugural advisory board meeting, Jeff Risom, chief innovation officer at Gehl Architects, explored how the public realm might be managed in the post-pandemic era.

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Dublin

Find out how Dublin is innovating to improve experiences and services for its communities in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile, including digital twin projects, traffic reduction, and economic growth.

Podcasts

Opinions

22-26 June 2026: Find out more

Latest City Profile

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Smart Cities Reports

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

Latest Trend Report

Trend Report: Planning and operating thriving cities – innovation for smarter urban living

Trend Series

Download our latest report to uncover how artificial intelligence is being used to support cities in how they plan and operate city services to ensure they are vibrant, sustainable and economically thriving modern spaces.

Latest Webinar

Trend Report Panel Discussion (21 May): Operating smarter: using digital twins and AI to reshape urban infrastructure management

Webinars

Discover how AI-powered digital twins are transforming urban infrastructure and how these innovations can improve efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

Latest Podcast

Cities Thriving on Lighting, Episode 2 – Simplicity by design in smart lighting

Podcasts

Discover the technology and considerations behind how cities can turn existing streetlight networks into secure, interoperable, and future‑proof infrastructure in the second episode of Cities Thriving on Lighting.

Latest Urban Exchange Podcast

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 32 – Flood and energy resilience in Quezon City

Urban Exchange Podcast

Tune in for the latest Urban Exchange where we get a first-hand account of city resilience measures from Quezon City following unexpected extreme rainfall.

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Most Popular

UK city to transform phoneboxes into art installations

Smart AI-based cameras to transform traffic management by 2025

LA breaks ground on community-focused project

Global business hub in China will act as a “sponge city”

Smart island enters next development phase

SmartCitiesWorld Newsletters (Daily/Weekly)

Our editorial newsletter pulls together our latest news items into one email, direct to your inbox. We also feature our latest city interviews, Special Reports and Guest Opinions.

Home | Urban Space | Pedestrianisation

Pedestrianisation

The latest news on pedestrianisation in smart city projects across the world.

Mutirão programme fast-tracks climate action in Brazilian cities

Mutirão programme fast-tracks climate action in Brazilian cities

Climate action25 Mar 2026

First cohort of cities and states will receive support from C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors to deliver implementation-ready climate initiatives by 2027.

Tallinn to build city centre pedestrian and bike path

Tallinn to build city centre pedestrian and bike path

Pedestrianisation23 Mar 2026

Renovation of the Marta ditch will help solve the problems of rainwater drainage in the area as well as create a better and safer space for local residents.

Smart island enters next development phase

Smart island enters next development phase

Digital twins09 Mar 2026

Ambassadori Island Batumi in the Black Sea region is working with Arup to implement a smart city framework that integrates advanced digital infrastructure.

LA breaks ground on community-focused project

LA breaks ground on community-focused project

Pedestrianisation02 Mar 2026

The $152m Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway project will transform 12 acres of former industrial land into community-centred spaces for residents.

UK city to transform phoneboxes into art installations

UK city to transform phoneboxes into art installations

Cultural space23 Jan 2026

The new public realm installation in Preston will see Grade II listed red telephone boxes used to showcase curated digital artwork and community-led content.

Plan outlines how Sacramento could adapt to extreme weather

Plan outlines how Sacramento could adapt to extreme weather

Climate action22 Jan 2026

SacAdapt is a joint effort between the City and SRTD to prepare roads, bicycle facilities, sidewalks, bus stops and light rail infrastructure for climate impacts.

Vancouver approves zoning updates for Villages initiative

Vancouver approves zoning updates for Villages initiative

Planning and redevelopment20 Jan 2026

Villages form part of the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan and are centred on existing retail clusters that will transform into vibrant neighbourhoods.

Boston to build first hotel under new Net Zero Carbon Zoning

Boston to build first hotel under new Net Zero Carbon Zoning

Climate action19 Jan 2026

One of five projects to be approved under the initiative, the building will improve the public realm with landscaping, street trees and pedestrian connections.

Tallinn master plan focuses on human-centred environment

Tallinn master plan focuses on human-centred environment

Planning and redevelopment16 Jan 2026

Estonian capital’s 2026 budget and master plan aims to create a high-quality living environment with everyday services conveniently accessible to residents.

Glasgow to trial people-first zone in city centre

Glasgow to trial people-first zone in city centre

Pedestrianisation06 Jan 2026

Work begins in February on a redesigned, fully accessible, step‑free junction where Queen Street meets Ingram Street with priority given to pedestrians.

Most Popular

ST Engineering to provide smart city platform for Lusail City

The company will build and operate a smart city platform with citywide network connectivity for the Qatar city using advanced AI and data-driven technologies.

Huawei seals smart city deal with Barcelona

They will collaborate on projects relating to 5G, smart city applications and digital transformation.

AI used to monitor and optimise Swedish road infrastructure

Computer vision and machine learning specialist, Univrses, will work with the Swedish Transport Administration to digitise and manage roadside infrastructure.

Public technology Portal sculpture unites Dublin and New York

Each sculpture features a 24/7 visual livestream from a Portal in the other city, allowing real-time interaction between Dubliners and New Yorkers and visitors.

Solar city goes live

Trina Solar’s PV modules have begun operations in the 10MW Sustainable City in Dubai, which aims to use only clean energy sources

SmartCitiesWorld Newsletters (Daily/Weekly)

Our editorial newsletter pulls together our latest news items into one email, direct to your inbox. We also feature our latest city interviews, Special Reports and Guest Opinions.

Guest Opinions

Why UK leaders must double-down on active travel promises

Xavier Brice, CEO of walking, wheeling and cycling charity, Sustrans, says the drive to net zero, cost-of-living crisis ...

Why mobility in urban environments is crucial to the evolution of cities

COAST Autonomous’ President, Adrian Sussmann, makes the case for autonomous shared mobility.

Latest City Profile

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Smart Cities Reports

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

Latest Trend Report

Trend Report: Planning and operating thriving cities – innovation for smarter urban living

Trend Series

Download our latest report to uncover how artificial intelligence is being used to support cities in how they plan and operate city services to ensure they are vibrant, sustainable and economically thriving modern spaces.

Latest Webinar

Trend Report Panel Discussion (21 May): Operating smarter: using digital twins and AI to reshape urban infrastructure management

Webinars

Discover how AI-powered digital twins are transforming urban infrastructure and how these innovations can improve efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

Latest Podcast

Cities Thriving on Lighting, Episode 2 – Simplicity by design in smart lighting

Podcasts

Discover the technology and considerations behind how cities can turn existing streetlight networks into secure, interoperable, and future‑proof infrastructure in the second episode of Cities Thriving on Lighting.

Latest Urban Exchange Podcast

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 32 – Flood and energy resilience in Quezon City

Urban Exchange Podcast

Tune in for the latest Urban Exchange where we get a first-hand account of city resilience measures from Quezon City following unexpected extreme rainfall.

BECOME A MEMBER

Build your own Industry Resource Library
Gain access to all SmartCitiesWorld content
Make the most of Industry Webinar Events

Register Login

Most Popular

UK city to transform phoneboxes into art installations

Smart AI-based cameras to transform traffic management by 2025

LA breaks ground on community-focused project

Global business hub in China will act as a “sponge city”

Smart island enters next development phase

SmartCitiesWorld Newsletters (Daily/Weekly)

Our editorial newsletter pulls together our latest news items into one email, direct to your inbox. We also feature our latest city interviews, Special Reports and Guest Opinions.

Special Reports

Using the fourth space to help cities cope with Covid-19

Using the fourth space to help cities cope with Covid-19

City Profiles

Smart Cities Reports

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Sunderland

Find out how Sunderland is repositioning itself as a leading smart city – using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile.

Smart Cities Reports

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile – Dublin

Find out how Dublin is innovating to improve experiences and services for its communities in the latest SmartCitiesWorld City Profile, including digital twin projects, traffic reduction, and economic growth.

Smart Cities Reports

SmartCitiesWorld City Profile 2024 – City of Madrid

Discover how the city of Madrid is innovating to become a smarter, more sustainable city that’s able to deliver improved services to residents and visitors alike.

Research

White Paper: The Urban Edge - unlocking smart city potential through kerb revolution

White Paper: The Urban Edge - unlocking smart city potential through kerb revolution

This White Paper explores how transforming the humble kerb can enhance urban efficiency, sustainability, and livability. ’The Urban Edge’ serves as a practical guide for city planners, policymakers, and innovators, offering actionable strategies to turn static kerbs into adaptable, multifunctional zones.

Cities Climate Action Summit 2024: lessons and takeaways

Cities Climate Action Summit 2024: lessons and takeaways

With Cities Climate Action Summit 2024 at a close, look back at some of the key actions and considerations for cities including actionable insights to accelerate climate action, emphasising the development of policies, the deployment of cutting edge technologies and the methods of financing projects in climate action across energy, mobility and the built environment.