Cities around the world are shifting from reactive problem-solving to proactive, data-driven strategies that unlock value from buildings, infrastructure and digital tools. At the 2026 global cities summit, policymakers, technology leaders and urban planners gathered to explore how artificial intelligence, digital twins and smarter energy systems can help cities thrive in an era of climate stress, rapid urbanisation and fiscal constraint.
Key facts from the summit
- Panel discussions focused on strategic, risk-based approaches to infrastructure resilience.
- Local authorities are shaping energy systems through renewables, flexibility, storage and smarter networks.
- Professor Lily Kong of Singapore Management University urged cities to become regenerative and restorative, not merely resilient.
- Summit themes included climate finance, resilient infrastructure, AI-enabled public services and systems thinking.
- Sunderland is using digital infrastructure and low-carbon innovation to build a smart city economy.
- Dublin is deploying digital twin projects, traffic reduction measures and economic growth initiatives.
- Smart lighting is becoming a critical cybersecurity and interoperability challenge.
- Microsoft's Katherine Flesh highlighted data foundations, workforce readiness and responsible governance for AI in transport.
From resilience to regeneration
Cities have long focused on maintaining roads, utilities and public buildings. But the summit's opening discussions made clear that the next wave of urban value will come from treating the entire built environment as a data-rich ecosystem. Buildings, streetlights, transport networks and energy grids are no longer passive assets; they are sources of information that can drive efficiency, safety and sustainability.
One of the central themes was resilience. Rather than waiting for floods, heatwaves or cyberattacks to expose vulnerabilities, cities are adopting a more strategic, risk-based approach. This means identifying critical systems, assessing interdependencies and investing in measures that reduce the impact of disruptions before they occur. The panelists argued that infrastructure resilience is not only about protecting assets but also about ensuring that communities can continue to access housing, healthcare, work and education during a crisis.
Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University, challenged the audience to aim higher than resilience. She argued that cities should become regenerative, restorative and sensitive to the needs of their communities. In practice, this could mean designing buildings that generate more energy than they consume, restoring natural waterways alongside new developments and using data to identify and address inequalities in access to public services. Her vision shifts the focus from surviving shocks to creating positive outcomes for people and the planet.
Energy systems in local hands
Another panel examined how local authorities can shape energy systems. With energy prices volatile and carbon reduction targets tightening, cities cannot rely solely on national governments or private utilities. The discussion highlighted four levers: renewable generation, demand flexibility, energy storage and smarter network management. By installing solar panels on public buildings, using batteries to store excess power and encouraging smart charging of electric vehicles, cities can reduce costs and emissions while increasing their energy independence.
City profiles in action
The summit also showcased concrete examples of cities already putting these ideas into practice. Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England, is repositioning itself as a leading smart city. Its strategy combines digital infrastructure with low-carbon innovation to build a resilient, future-focused economy. The city has invested in full-fibre connectivity, intelligent street lighting and a range of smart city applications, including air quality monitoring and digital skills programmes. These projects are designed to attract investment, create jobs and improve quality of life.
Dublin, meanwhile, is using digital tools to improve experiences and services for its communities. The city has adopted digital twin projects that create virtual replicas of urban spaces, allowing planners to simulate the impact of new buildings, traffic patterns or public realm improvements before making physical changes. Dublin is also working to reduce traffic through better data collection, integrated transport apps and active travel infrastructure. These initiatives are expected to support economic growth by making the city more attractive to businesses, workers and visitors.
Smart lighting as a gateway
Street lighting emerged as a surprisingly central topic. The summit featured a series of episodes focused on how cities are approaching smart lighting and the related cybersecurity risks. Lighting is one of the most widespread and visible pieces of urban infrastructure, and converting existing streetlights into connected networks can deliver immediate energy savings and new functionality. However, every connected lamp becomes a potential entry point for cyberattack. Cities must therefore ensure that their smart lighting systems are secure, interoperable and future-proof. That means using standards-based protocols, regular security updates and clear governance structures.
AI in transport and city operations
Artificial intelligence is also transforming transport. Microsoft's Katherine Flesh told the summit that the greatest opportunities for AI in transport depend on strong data foundations, workforce readiness and responsible governance. AI can help transport agencies predict maintenance needs, optimise routes and respond to incidents in real time. But these benefits will not materialise without clean, well-organised data and staff who understand how to use AI tools. Flesh also warned that agencies must address privacy, bias and accountability issues to maintain public trust.
Two on-demand panel discussions dug deeper into the operational side of urban innovation. One focused on AI in city operations, exploring how cities can move from small-scale pilots to everyday practice. The other examined digital twins and AI as tools to reshape urban infrastructure management. Both panels emphasised that technology is only one part of the equation. Successful cities need clear business cases, cross-departmental collaboration and a willingness to change existing processes.
Healthy, sustainable cities
The summit also heard from Ecomondo, the Italian expo dedicated to green technology and sustainability. Ecomondo representatives discussed the priorities shaping healthier, more sustainable cities, including circular economy models, waste reduction and nature-based solutions. They explained that international platforms are valuable for sharing practical solutions and building new connections between public, private and research sectors.
Systems thinking and finance
Underpinning the entire summit was a call for systems thinking. Cities are complex, interconnected systems. Decisions about housing affect transport; transport affects air quality; air quality affects public health. Traditional silos between departments and agencies are not equipped to handle these interdependencies. The summit's emphasis on data sharing, integrated planning and place-based strategies reflects a growing recognition that the future of cities depends on the ability to connect people, data, infrastructure and investment into coherent strategies.
Finance was another recurring theme. Many resilience and sustainability projects require significant upfront investment, but city budgets are often constrained. The summit highlighted the importance of climate finance, including green bonds, public-private partnerships and innovative procurement models. Cities that can build a strong evidence base for their projects are more likely to attract funding from investors looking for both financial returns and positive environmental impact.
People and services
AI-enabled public services were also in the spotlight. From chatbots that answer resident queries to predictive analytics that help social workers identify families at risk, AI has the potential to make government more responsive and efficient. However, cities must be careful to deploy AI in ways that protect civil liberties and do not exacerbate existing inequalities. The summit speakers stressed that algorithms should be transparent, auditable and subject to human oversight.
The human dimension of urban innovation cannot be overlooked. Dozens of speakers noted that cities need not only new technology but also skilled staff to operate it. This includes data scientists, cybersecurity specialists and project managers. Cities also need to invest in training and digital literacy for existing employees, so that they can work alongside AI systems and make the most of the tools available.
For those who could not attend every session, the summit offered a way to stay informed through daily and weekly newsletters. The editorial roundups brought together the latest news, city interviews, special reports and guest opinions in a single email, helping urban professionals keep pace with the fast-moving world of smart cities.
Source: Smart Cities World News