Webinars

OnDemand COP30 Webinar: Unlocking climate finance: building city capacity and partnerships

Discover how cities can expand their fiscal and institutional capacity to attract and manage climate finance. This session explores the role of digital tools for tracking and reporting, data platforms for transparency, and innovative approaches that allow cities to unlock new sources of investment.

OnDemand Webinar: Cities Climate Action Weeks: A global movement with local impact

Inspired by London, find out how Baku, Rio de Janeiro, Bangkok and Prague are creating their own Climate Action Weeks to drive ambitious local change - and are helping to build a powerful global movement.

Special Reports

A clean and efficient future: energy in focus at Cities Climate Action Summit 2024

Discover how this year’s Cities Climate Action Summit puts the spotlight on the switch to clean and renewable energy, and the importance of energy-efficiency.

Why start-ups aren’t the only game in town for advanced air mobilitySponsored by Bristow Group

David Stepanek, executive vice president, sales and chief transformation officer of Bristow, talks to Luke Antoniou about the way forward for advanced air mobility and what is required to gain acceptance from the public, regulators and local authorities alike.

Smart Cities Reports

Podcasts

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 9 - Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Leader - Progress at COP27 and climate finance

Preview: The latest episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast sees Lauren Sorkin, Resilient Cities Network, chat with Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Leader to talk COP27 and climate finance.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 8 - Making cities green, resilient and inclusive in a changing climate

Preview: The latest episode of the Urban Exchange brings together the principal authors of the World Bank’s latest extensive report on urban climate to discuss the 10 key findings.

Opinions

Rebuilding green: Analysing the Biden infrastructure plan

John Fitzgerald, Project Director, Linesight, explains why major reskilling, outreach work by government and the right messaging will be key to realising benefits.

Fibre can transform society but only if governments are prepared to give a helping handSponsored by Fotech

Governments need to do more to help fibre providers widen their networks, writes Stuart Large, Product Line Director & Business Development at Fotech.

Home | Smart Cities News

Smart Cities News

City of Helsinki proposes licence for e-scooter and e-bikes

Micromobility14 Nov 2025

The proposal would extend the current parking restriction area from Helsinki city centre to Töölö and Pasila and replace the current voluntary agreement.

Autonomous delivery robots to hit the streets of Riverside

Logistics30 Oct 2025

Through the collaboration, Riverside is seeking to establish a model for the “thoughtful integration” of robotics and automation into local infrastructure.

Dubai earns UN SDG Cities Gold Certification

Sustainable development goals30 Oct 2025

It is awarded to cities demonstrating a commitment to achieving the UN SDGs through integrated policies across economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Why energy nationalism is replacing climate ambition

Climate action27 Oct 2025

This is among the findings in Siemens’ study of global executives exploring the state of the infrastructure transition across energy, industry and buildings.

City of London Corporation introduces GenAI framework

AI and Machine Learning06 Oct 2025

The City Corporation’s new Standard Operating Procedure policy sets out clear expectations for employees, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

New York e-bike speeds restricted to 15 miles-per-hour

Micromobility29 Sep 2025

Electric bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bicycles to be prohibited from travelling faster than 15 miles-per-hour on New York City streets.

Seattle releases climate action progress report

Climate action18 Sep 2025

The city has completed or made significant progress on more than half of the actions in its 2013 climate action report but says there is still work to be done.

Winners of inaugural speed safety challenge initiative named

Road travel28 Aug 2025

Eight cities were recognised in the speed challenge initiative for advancing road safety through policy and implementation of speed management measures.

WEF launches regulatory innovation platform

Regulation08 Jul 2025

The platform will pilot solutions and deliver practical tools for governments to develop future-ready regulation fit for a fast-changing technological world.

Santa Monica launches next-gen procurement platform

News17 Jun 2025

Designed to modernise how governments buy, the G-Commerce platform from Glass marks a major milestone in City of Santa Monica’s digital transformation.

OnDemand Webinar: Cities Climate Action Weeks: A global movement with local impact

Webinars03 Jun 2025

Dubai publishes Dubai State of AI Report

AI and Machine Learning28 Apr 2025

Report offers a comprehensive view of AI’s role in transforming government services in Dubai and assesses more than 100 high-impact, high-return AI use cases.

Tallinn sets out rules for light vehicles and micromobility

Micromobility17 Apr 2025

Tighter rules relate to requirements around vehicle marking, parking and speed and aim to ensure the safety of pedestrians, especially children and the elderly.

EHang carries out pilotless test flight in Mexico

Air Travel11 Mar 2025

Flight was made possible through coordination between AFAC, EHang, and its local partner, Air Mobility, which will help drive growth of Mexico’s AAM industry.

Cities awarded for harnessing data in decision-making

Policymaking26 Feb 2025

Twenty-one new cities, including the first four in Canada, have been awarded the What Works Cities Certification for establishing exceptional data capabilities.

Free AI training for Euro cities to bolster data-driven climate action

People and skills21 Feb 2025

Running from 2025 to 2026, the course covers AI applications, machine learning, large language models, and critical issues like bias, privacy, and governance.

Global GovTech Board debuts at WEF 2025

News27 Jan 2025

The initiative aims to accelerate innovation, foster global partnerships, and redefine the standards of digital governance in the 21st century around the world.

US releases recommendations for use of AI in critical infrastructure

AI and Machine Learning29 Nov 2024

The Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board identified how each layer of the AI supply chain can ensure that AI is deployed safely and securely.

Which countries are poised to embrace opportunities of AI?

AI and Machine Learning30 Jul 2024

The BSI International AI Maturity Model and Trust in AI report uses a global analysis to assess seven sectors against how ready to adopt AI tools they are.

OnDemand Global Local Executive Panel: From Smart Cities to Sustainable Futures – AI and Local Governance

Webinars08 Jul 2024

In this virtual session, panellists will explore innovative approaches to issues such as urban planning, transportation, and public safety, with a specific focus on the role of local governments in implementing AI solutions.

NYC launches ‘Green Fast Track’ to speed housing development

Residential buildings04 Jun 2024

Streamlined environmental review process will reduce timetable by up to two years, and slash around $100,000 in costs per project for housing proposals.

UN-Habitat to draft people-centred smart city regulations

Policymaking22 Apr 2024

The forthcoming guidelines aim to inform the development of national and local smart city regulations, plans, and strategies and fill global “normative gaps”.

A clean and efficient future: energy in focus at Cities Climate Action Summit 2024

Climate action11 Apr 2024

Discover how this year’s Cities Climate Action Summit puts the spotlight on the switch to clean and renewable energy, and the importance of energy-efficiency.

Cities Climate Action Summit 2024: developing policy to accelerate sustainability

Climate action04 Apr 2024

The SmartCitiesWorld Summit, which takes place 26-27 June, will illuminate policy development as a core theme, highlighting the indispensable role of strategic frameworks and regulations to drive climate action in our cities.

New generative AI chatbot seeks to transform public sector

AI and Machine Learning03 Apr 2024

Chatbot is designed around a family of expert domain fine-tuned models that have unique access to government databases and generates responses and explanations.

Baltimore issues executive order on City use of generative AI

Policymaking25 Mar 2024

Measure intends to ensure responsible use of generative AI tools as they become more prolific and offer additional opportunities to support government services.

EU takes steps to strengthen air quality standards

Air quality26 Feb 2024

Provisional political agreement aims to achieve a zero-pollution objective and seeks to bring EU air quality standards in line with WHO recommendations.

New York aims to set up Department of Sustainable Delivery

Micromobility26 Jan 2024

The department claims to be a first-in-the-nation regulatory entity and will prioritise safety while harnessing the potential of new forms of transportation.

Call for more rigorous reporting of e-scooter collisions

Micromobility15 Jan 2024

UK Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety says better reporting is required to tackle unsafe e-scooter use while data-sharing must increase.

OnDemand Panel Debate (11 Dec): Going behind the scenes of Dallas’ smart city initiatives

Webinars10 Dec 2023

SmartCitiesWorld gets up close and personal with the City of Dallas and its innovative smart city strategies. Panellist from City of Dallas, National League of Cities and Ubicquia. Watch OnDemand

Cop28: CEO climate leaders call for transformative policies

Climate action26 Oct 2023

The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders has signed an open letter ahead of Cop28 calling on public and private sector leaders to accelerate net zero actions.

Civic ID platform revenue to grow by 62 per cent by 2027

Data privacy and security27 Jun 2023

Juniper Research reports as governments seek more efficient systems we will see more digital copies of conventional IDs and specially designed digital IDs.

Neom and Volocopter complete electric taxi flights in Saudi

Air Travel23 Jun 2023

The flight test campaign lasted over a week and built on 18 months of collaboration between Neom, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Volocopter.

Report sparks call to swiftly legalise e-scooters in the UK

Micromobility16 May 2023

Transport charity CoMoUK wants the government to bring forward legislation to ensure the country does not miss out on e-scooter’s potential to lower emissions.

Digital Dubai announces phase 2 of Emirati initiative

Regulation02 May 2023

With this initiative, the authority aims to provide a “unified and comprehensive” platform on the DubaiNow app to meet citizens’ needs for city services.

Oklahoma pilots pay-per-mile programme

Road travel27 Apr 2023

Oklahoma DoT is working with toll-based mobility solutions provider Emovis on the Fair Miles programme to assess the benefits and identify potential hurdles.

Drone detection solution launched to keep airspaces secure

Logistics04 Apr 2023

City-Wide Drone Detection means critical infrastructure facilities, venues and airports can collaborate more closely with law enforcement to keep cities safe.

UAE scheme provides citizens with unified digital services

Inclusivity01 Mar 2023

The digital Emirati initiative is a single-window platform created to offer UAE citizens a directory of city services through the DubaiNow application.

Hyperloop transportation companies form industry association

Policymaking13 Feb 2023

The Hyperloop Association aims to stimulate development of the market and support collaboration with government and regulatory agencies on policymaking.

Cyprus implements smart mobility solution to improve safety

Road travel06 Feb 2023

The island nation is working with Conduent Transportation to install 110 camera systems to enforce speed and red-light regulations, determined by the Government.

Federal approval for BVLOS drone flights in North Dakota

Regulation01 Feb 2023

Authorisation was granted following a demonstration by uAvionix to the FAA that it established adequate risk mitigations to satisfy required safety standards.

E-scooter operators help support London’s Ulez expansion

Micromobility30 Jan 2023

To encourage Londoners to scrap their vehicles and switch to more sustainable transport options, Dott, Lime and Tier have launched discounted and free rides.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 9 - Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Leader - Progress at COP27 and climate finance

Urban Exchange Podcast13 Dec 2022

Preview: The latest episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast sees Lauren Sorkin, Resilient Cities Network, chat with Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Leader to talk COP27 and climate finance.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 8 - Making cities green, resilient and inclusive in a changing climate

Urban Exchange Podcast30 Nov 2022

Preview: The latest episode of the Urban Exchange brings together the principal authors of the World Bank’s latest extensive report on urban climate to discuss the 10 key findings.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 7 - Part 2: Monica Barone, CEO, City of Sydney

Urban Exchange Podcast19 Oct 2022

Preview: In part two of our conversation with Monica Barone, CEO of the City of Sydney, we discover the changing nature of city relationships with citizens, how that can shape resilience and climate action, and lead to more equitable and inclusive communities.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 7 - Part 1: Monica Barone, CEO, City of Sydney

Urban Exchange Podcast27 Sep 2022

Preview: The part one of the latest episode of the Urban Exchange sees Monica Barone, CEO of the City of Sydney, in conversation with Jeff Risom to understand how the nature of resilience is changing, and how Monica and the city are adapting.

Data-driven local government standard expands to beyond US cities

Data management & software12 Aug 2022

Bloomberg Philanthropies and Results for America are extending What Works Cities Certification to Canada, Central America, and South America and updating the criteria in line with best practice.

Chicago releases data-driven plan for citywide equity

News15 Jul 2022

“We Will” is a draft 10-year framework, which includes approximately 40 goals and 150 objectives, devised to tackle social inequities and build thriving communities.

Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 6: Daniel Quintero, Mayor of Medellin

Urban Exchange Podcast16 Jun 2022

Preview: The latest episode of the Urban Exchange brings together Mayor of Medellín Daniel Quintero with Leading Cities’ Mike Lake to discuss the advance of urban resilience in Colombia’s second-largest city.

Singapore builds digital trust and strengthens data governance

Data privacy and security01 Jun 2022

The Digital Trust Centre will lead research and development efforts for “trust technologies”, which include those that preserve data privacy while the data is being analysed.

WEF initiative seeks to build “equitable and safe metaverse”

Policymaking26 May 2022

It is convening organisations across the public and private sectors, experts and academics to accelerate development of governance and policy frameworks.

Cities need a holistic plan to decarbonise buildings

Regulation23 May 2022

Research identifies that the most successful cities balance regulation, incentives, innovation and accelerators and work in partnership with landlords, investors, developers and occupiers.

WEF dashboard will measure impact of low carbon tech policy

Policymaking16 May 2022

It seeks to provide an in-depth overview of policy in seven jurisdictions around the world to help assess the impact on five key low-carbon emitting technologies.

Changing urban climate action reporting and disclosure

Climate action10 May 2022

Kyra Appleby, global director for cities, states and regions for CDP, explains how the latest revisions to the CDP-ICLEI Track questionnaire can aid cities in disclosing urban climate action progress information that can be applied to other reporting frameworks, and how cities can begin their journey to climate action through initial disclosure – regardless of existing progress.

Why start-ups aren’t the only game in town for advanced air mobilitySponsored by Bristow Group

Air Travel05 May 2022

Virginia demonstrates commitment to advanced air mobility

Air Travel03 May 2022

A drone flight over the City of Winchester witnessed the simultaneous integration and operation of a range of unmanned aerial systems technologies from a coalition of public and private sector providers.

EC names 100 cities for its climate-neutral and smart cities mission

Climate action29 Apr 2022

Selected cities will be invited to develop Climate City Contracts, which will include an overall plan for climate neutrality across all sectors such as energy, buildings, waste management and transport.

Vital EV charging developments that could go even further

Electric vehicles13 Apr 2022

Neil Isaacson, CEO of public charge point operator Liberty Charge, discusses why the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy is an important step in the right direction, and where it can go even further.

Urban Exchange Episode 5: Andy Foster, Mayor of Wellington

Urban Exchange Podcast08 Apr 2022

Preview: Lauren Sorkin, executive director at Resilient Cities Network, will be joined by Mayor of Wellington, Andy Foster, to focus on the overarching frame of Mayor Andy Foster’s leadership on digital resilience with highlights on Wellington’s award-winning Digital Twin initiative and working with start-ups and digital businesses.

Toronto approves digital infrastructure framework

Policymaking07 Apr 2022

The principles-based approach establishes a plan for how the city will use technology and data, including the values that should guide decision-making on a day-to-day basis, and in the long-term.

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