Building the Smart City: Promise, Pitfalls and the People at Its Heart
Building the smart city – Urban centers are integrating cutting-edge innovations at an accelerating pace, from AI-powered transit networks to digital twins and climate-resilient green spaces. Yet as these advancements reshape the fabric of modern cities, specialists emphasize that the success of such initiatives hinges on whether they serve all citizens equitably. Inclusion, trust, and security are not just peripheral concerns—they are the cornerstones that will decide who reaps the rewards of technological progress.
A Glimpse into the Future at Baku’s Urban Expo
At the World Urban Forum’s thirteenth session in Baku, a sprawling exhibition highlighted the intersection of technology and urban life. Visitors were drawn to massive digital displays showcasing flood simulations, subway command centers, and virtual reconstructions of city neighborhoods. These exhibits offered a window into the evolving urban landscape, where artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and real-time data are redefining how cities function. The forum, co-hosted by UN-Habitat and Azerbaijan, became a stage for global leaders to debate the potential and challenges of this transformation.
Shanghai, one of the world’s most ambitious smart-city pioneers, exemplified the scale of such efforts. At the China Pavilion, officials unveiled the “Unified Management with One Network” platform—a sprawling system that unifies transportation, infrastructure, emergency services, and public utilities under a single digital framework. This initiative underscores the city’s commitment to leveraging big data and AI to streamline urban operations and enhance efficiency.
Yet, Shanghai’s approach also reflects a broader strategy to bridge the gap between technological advancement and accessibility. Through its “One-stop Government Service” portal, residents can access over 3,500 public services online, addressing the digital divide by ensuring that even those with limited resources can benefit from modern infrastructure. This focus on inclusivity is critical, as cities grow increasingly reliant on digital tools to deliver essential functions.
AI and the Future of Urban Mobility
Shanghai’s transportation network serves as another testament to its forward-thinking design. The Shanghai Metro, a global marvel spanning more than 800 kilometers and over 400 stations, operates with AI-driven monitoring, 5G-enabled communication systems, and predictive weather-control technologies. These innovations aim to minimize delays and ensure safety, even in the face of extreme weather events.
Several metro lines now feature fully automated, driverless trains, demonstrating the city’s leap into autonomous systems. AI is also deployed to detect structural vulnerabilities in tunnels, such as cracks or water leaks, and to analyze passenger movement patterns in real time. This data-centric approach enables proactive maintenance and optimized scheduling, illustrating how technology can enhance urban connectivity while reducing disruptions.
Resilience Through Design: The Lingang Sponge Park
Among the most striking examples of smart city innovation is the Lingang Starry Sky Sponge Park. Covering 54 hectares, this space merges futuristic aesthetics with practical flood management solutions. Its permeable pavements, subterranean filtration systems, and intelligent drainage mechanisms can capture and recycle up to 15,000 cubic meters of rainwater daily. By integrating ecological design with advanced engineering, the park addresses climate challenges while creating a recreational haven for residents.
However, the rapid integration of technology into urban planning raises concerns. Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, highlighted that cities are grappling with multifaceted crises, including housing shortages, informal settlements, and climate-related disruptions. “We really need to push the boundaries of the technologies we have,” she stated, stressing the urgent need to harness these tools for resilience and growth. Yet, she warned that without a people-centered focus, smart cities risk becoming hubs of innovation for the privileged few.
“The most important thing of our work is that smart cities really need to be people-centered,” Rossbach added. “Human rights, inclusion, and equity must remain at the core of digital transformation.”
Her remarks underscore the importance of addressing digital exclusion, especially in vulnerable communities. During the pandemic, many informal settlement dwellers faced barriers to education and employment due to inadequate internet access and digital literacy. For cities in the Global South, the question is not merely whether advanced technologies exist, but whether they genuinely uplift everyday life.
Gynna Millan, an architect and urban researcher from Colombia, cautioned against over-reliance on technology itself. “Most people perceive a smart city as being technology-driven,” she explained. “But the real challenge is ensuring that this technology empowers rather than controls.” Her perspective highlights the dual-edged nature of AI and digital systems, which can either democratize access to services or reinforce existing inequalities.
AI as a Game Changer: Perspectives from Global Leaders
As cities increasingly adopt AI for governance, its role is shifting from experimental to foundational. Dmitri Atov, an advisor to Moscow’s city government, remarked, “AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a game changer for cities.” This sentiment aligns with broader trends, where artificial intelligence is becoming integral to urban decision-making processes. From predictive analytics to automated systems, AI is reshaping how cities respond to challenges and deliver services.
Yining Zhao, a project officer at the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), outlined five technological trends shaping urban life, including insights from Dr. Okan Geray, Steering Committee Chair of the Global Initiative on AI and Virtual Worlds. These trends emphasize the evolution of AI beyond theoretical concepts into practical applications. “World models” simulate urban infrastructure behavior under real-world conditions, while “agentic AI” introduces autonomous digital agents capable of independent action. The integration of AI into the physical world—through robots, drones, and intelligent machines—further blurs the lines between digital and tangible environments.
“Immersive virtual environments are redefining how people engage with urban spaces,” Geray noted. “They offer new possibilities for work, learning, and community interaction, but also require careful design to avoid alienating those who lack access.”
As the smart city concept gains traction, it is clear that technology alone cannot guarantee progress. Success depends on aligning innovation with human needs, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. The lessons from Baku’s forum and Shanghai’s initiatives reveal a shared vision: to build cities that are not only smart, but also sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the challenges of our time.
The path forward demands a balance between technological ambition and social responsibility. While smart cities hold the potential to revolutionize urban living, their true impact will be measured by whether they uplift all citizens or deepen existing disparities. As AI and digital infrastructure continue to evolve, the people at the heart of these cities must remain the ultimate focus of progress.
