Cities of Tomorrow: Smart Urbanisation for the 21st Century

The resource titled "Cities of Tomorrow: Smart Urbanisation for the 21st Century" is published by the World Economic Forum and is driven by the Global Future Council on Cities of Tomorrow. This initiative offers a comprehensive framework aimed at understanding and shaping urban development in response to the intertwined challenges of digitalisation and sustainability.

Currently, around 56% of the global population resides in urban areas, a figure projected to increase by an additional 3 billion people in the coming decades, predominantly in Africa and Asia. As approximately 65% of people are internet users, it is anticipated that 75% of jobs will soon demand digital skills. This convergence of urbanisation and digitalisation creates both significant opportunities and complex challenges for cities.

The Global Future Council emphasizes the necessity of adopting a systems approach to urban development. This approach aims to mitigate inefficiencies and inequities that arise from siloed thinking. Four foundational reports highlight essential themes for building cities that are more inclusive, climate-ready, innovatively financed, and mission-led in technology adoption. Emerging technologies such as smart sensors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy systems, and digital twins are explored for their transformative potential in urban environments. The reports also delve into governance models that balance innovation with public interest, emphasizing the importance of transparent data management and citizen participation.

The flagship report, "Data for the City of Tomorrow," stresses the deep interconnection between data and urban development, which will intensify as the AI revolution aligns with urban population growth. It raises a critical question: can data be optimized to facilitate city development, including those yet to be constructed? Key recommendations include developing data capabilities at the municipal level, establishing governance frameworks that protect citizen privacy and enable data sharing, creating interoperable data platforms for effective collaboration, and investing in digital literacy to empower both officials and citizens.

The initiative provides actionable guidance for mayors, city planners, and urban policymakers. It encourages the integration of smart technologies into existing urban systems without disrupting essential services, the construction of resilient infrastructure to adapt to climate change, and the development of governance structures that are transparent and inclusive. Moreover, it fosters innovation ecosystems that attract investment and talent, emphasizing that successful smart cities are defined not by the amount of technology deployed but by how effectively that technology addresses the needs of residents and contributes to long-term sustainability.

For more information, visit the World Economic Forum — Cities of Tomorrow.