MEMBERSHIP

Webinars

OnDemand Trend Report Webinar: How AI and data are transforming transport operations and services

Explore how data and AI are being used in urban transport networks to support planning, day-to-day operations, and improve outcomes for communities and passengers.

OnDemand Trend Report Panel Discussion: AI for personalised government services – building trust and inclusivity in cities

Join city and industry experts to explore how AI is enabling more personalised, accessible, and trusted government services, and uncover practical strategies for responsible AI adoption that benefits all citizens. Hear from Manchester City Council and the City of Tampere.

Special Reports

Podcast: Re-evaluating smart cities for a joined-up future

Chris Dymond, Founder and Director of Unfolding, joins the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast to bring a new perspective to what it means to be a smart city today.

Urban Exchange Episode 2: Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, City of Rotterdam

Cities on the Frontlines: Advancing Urban Resilience for Climate Adaptation

Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director at the Resilient Cities Networks, catches up with the City of Rotterdam’s Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb on citizen engagement, climate change and much more.

Smart Cities Reports

Podcasts

Podcast: Re-evaluating smart cities for a joined-up future

Chris Dymond, Founder and Director of Unfolding, joins the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast to bring a new perspective to what it means to be a smart city today.

Urban Exchange Episode 2: Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, City of Rotterdam

Cities on the Frontlines: Advancing Urban Resilience for Climate Adaptation

Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director at the Resilient Cities Networks, catches up with the City of Rotterdam’s Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb on citizen engagement, climate change and much more.

Opinions

Smarter education: accelerating digital innovation in learningSponsored by Huawei

SmartCitiesWorld takes a look at how intelligent education is helping create a world where technology seamlessly integrates with traditional teaching methods.

Overcoming the innovation gap

There is a gap between the aspirations of cities and the true capabilities of smart city technology, writes Anders Lisdorf.

Home | Special Reports

Special Reports

Here at SmartCitiesWorld, we produce Special Reports on a weekly basis. If you would like to contribute to any special report or opinion pieces please contact our editor Luke Antoniou on lukea@smartcitiesworld.net

Understanding Microsoft’s approach to AI-powered local government

Understanding Microsoft’s approach to AI-powered local government

AI and Machine Learning28 Jan 2026

Discover how Microsoft is working to help cities ease pressure on resource and budget with AI, from helping to reshape government processes to helping transform resident experiences.

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: The impact of AI and data on transportation operations and services

Trend Series

Delve into how cities are addressing the challenges of building intelligent transport systems and using AI and data to transform operations and user experience.

Latest Webinar

Panel Discussion (30 Jun): Unlocking value in cities from buildings, data and AI

Webinars

Explore how AI, building data and connected urban infrastructure can help cities improve sustainability, resilience and operational performance.

Latest Summit Speakers
(22-26 June)

Lord Marvin Rees OBE

Former Mayor

Bristol City Council

Find out more

Julie Foley OBE

Director of Flood Risk Strategy & Adaptation

Environment Agency

Find out more

Sherelle Fairweather

Digital Strategy Lead

Manchester’s Digital Strategy

Find out more

Jaromir Beranek

Deputy Mayor for Transport

City of Prague

Find out more

Liz St Louis

Smart City Director

Sunderland City Council

Find out more

Cllr Susan Aitken

Leader

Glasgow City Council

Find out more

Mark Wheeler

CIO

Montgomery County

Find out more

John Moran

Mayor

Limerick City and County Council

Find out more

Matjaž Rakovec

Mayor

City of Kranj

Find out more

Erin Mendenhall

Mayor

Salt Lake City

Find out more

Julia King

The Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS

House of Lords

Find out more

Latest Podcast

Cities Thriving on Lighting, Episode 3 – What global cities are learning from smart lighting

Podcasts

Join the final episode of Cities Thriving on Lighting to discover how global cities are approaching smart lighting and the related cybersecurity risks today.

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

Boston hosts its first-ever Tech Week

Chattanooga further expands quantum ecosystem

Cities invited to apply to cycling infrastructure programme

Dubai launches AI-powered digital ecosystem to drive growth

Singapore to test physical AI in Punggol Digital District

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.

Manchester’s digital journey: from strategy to action

Manchester’s digital journey: from strategy to action

Inclusivity20 Nov 2025

Discover how Manchester is turning its digital ambitions into action through a people-centred approach that blends social purpose with technical innovation.

How San José is setting an AI benchmark for other cities

How San José is setting an AI benchmark for other cities

Special Reports12 Nov 2025

Mayor Matt Mahan explains how the city is responsibly deploying AI and leading the discussion on how cities can use it to improve civic engagement, public safety, transportation, and service delivery.

Seattle’s responsible AI plan: what cities should know

Seattle’s responsible AI plan: what cities should know

AI and Machine Learning25 Sep 2025

Discover how Seattle’s new AI plan sets a new standard for responsible, equitable, and innovative use of artificial intelligence in city government.

How data and digital can propel UK cities and industry to new heights

How data and digital can propel UK cities and industry to new heights

Special Reports15 Aug 2025

Justin Anderson, Managing Director for Data and Digital at Connected Places Catapult, explains how a new role for him coincides with national and local innovation priorities, and how to make good on the potential of devolution.

Dialogue, partnership, community: putting people first in urban innovation

Dialogue, partnership, community: putting people first in urban innovation

Special Reports31 Jul 2025

Raffaele Gareri, founder and partner Urban Innovators Global and former CDO of Rome, explains why innovation in cities must begin with people, and how to deliver the best outcomes to communities through innovation projects.

How unity and investment are driving Oklahoma City’s growth

How unity and investment are driving Oklahoma City’s growth

Special Reports24 Jul 2025

Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City explains how political agreement and tolerance has helped create a city and community that ensures investment in its future is paramount.

Building a greener future: Sunderland’s smart city approach to sustainability

Building a greener future: Sunderland’s smart city approach to sustainability

Special Reports04 Jun 2025

As we mark World Environment Day on 5th June 2025, it’s a timely moment to shine a light on how Sunderland is harnessing smart city innovation to power its journey to a more sustainable future.

Combining inclusion, economy and more for a digital Manchester

Combining inclusion, economy and more for a digital Manchester

Special Reports22 May 2025

Sherelle Fairweather, digital strategy lead for Manchester City Council, talks through how the city’s digital strategy has progressed in the last few years, covering its four key priorities.

SmartCitiesWorld Pulse Survey: city priorities, technologies and challenges

SmartCitiesWorld Pulse Survey: city priorities, technologies and challenges

Special Reports14 May 2025

From the rise of AI to evolving expectations around public safety, sustainability, and mobility, cities today are being asked to react quickly to a raft of challenges, often with limited resources and increasing complexity.

Coral Gables: a story of beauty and brains

Coral Gables: a story of beauty and brains

Special Reports20 Mar 2025

CIO Raimundo Rodulfo explains how Coral Gables in Florida has managed to preserve its history and heritage while becoming one of the smartest cities in the world.

How Austin is innovating to serve community and staff needs

How Austin is innovating to serve community and staff needs

Inclusivity21 Feb 2025

Genesis Gavino, chief of staff for the City of Austin, explains how the city is looking to use technology and data to deliver better outcomes for residents, and greater insight and support for staff.

Tackling extreme heat isn’t a summertime job – it’s a year-round effort

Tackling extreme heat isn’t a summertime job – it’s a year-round effort

Climate action09 Aug 2023

Ladd Keith, PhD, assistant professor of the University of Arizona, urges cities to assess the successes and areas for improvement from the past summer and use the fall, winter and spring seasons to implement effective strategies.

Most Popular

What is ‘Smart City’ and why do we need them?

Smart city is the framework based on Information and Communication technologies that enable the development of sustainable practices to address the urbanisation challenges. Leveraging the technology is one of the foremost pillars of ‘smart cities’ in order to increase efficiencies and improve the quality of resident’s life and the city’s services.

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.