The 2026 virtual summit on smart cities opened with a compelling panel discussion focused on unlocking value from buildings, data and artificial intelligence. The session brought together urban planners, technologists and local government leaders to examine how cities can transition from siloed pilot projects to integrated, strategic approaches that generate measurable outcomes. Central to the conversation was the need for a risk-based framework for infrastructure resilience, one that prioritises investment where it matters most and uses data to anticipate disruptions before they escalate. As cities face increasing pressures from climate change, population growth and ageing assets, the panel argued that the intelligent use of data and AI is no longer a luxury but a necessity for sustainable urban development.
A Strategic, Risk-Based Approach to Infrastructure Resilience
The first panel of the summit delved into how cities can move towards a more strategic, risk-based approach to infrastructure resilience. Rather than responding to failures reactively, local authorities are now expected to use predictive analytics to identify vulnerabilities in everything from transport networks to water systems. The discussion highlighted that buildings are more than just physical structures; they are rich sources of data, capable of reporting on energy consumption, occupancy patterns, structural health and environmental conditions. By tapping into this data, city officials can make informed decisions about maintenance, retrofitting and resource allocation, ultimately extending the lifespan of assets and reducing long-term costs.
AI contributes to this by enabling scenario modelling and real-time monitoring. For instance, machine learning algorithms can detect anomalies in building sensors that signal a potential failure, allowing maintenance teams to intervene before a costly breakdown occurs. The panel also emphasised that collaboration between public and private stakeholders is critical for creating a cohesive data ecosystem. Cities that succeed in integrating building data with broader urban systems are better positioned to respond to shocks such as extreme weather events, public health emergencies or cyber-attacks, ensuring that essential services remain operational and communities stay safe.
Shaping Energy Systems Through Renewables and Flexibility
In a related session, experts discussed how energy systems can be shaped by local authorities through renewables, flexibility, storage and smarter networks. The transition to a low-carbon economy depends on decentralised energy generation and the ability to balance supply and demand in real time. Local governments are uniquely placed to drive this transformation by setting ambitious climate targets, streamlining permitting processes for renewable installations, and investing in battery storage solutions that store surplus energy during periods of low demand. Smarter networks, enabled by digital communication, allow for dynamic pricing, demand response programmes and the integration of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Flexibility is a key theme in modern energy management. Rather than simply building more capacity, cities are exploring ways to shift energy use to off-peak times, reducing strain on the grid and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The session also pointed to the importance of community energy schemes, where residents and businesses collectively own or operate renewable assets. Such initiatives not only foster social buy-in but also keep economic benefits within the locality. The discussion underscored that energy is a foundational layer of urban resilience, and that cities must proactively manage their energy systems to support everything from healthcare facilities to digital communications.
Sunderland: A Model of Long-Term Connectivity Investment
Sunderland’s smart city programme is delivering measurable economic, social and public-service benefits, with new research showing how long-term connectivity investment, civic leadership and trusted partnerships are turning digital ambition into real impact. The city has become a testbed for innovative technologies, ranging from smart street lighting and environmental sensors to autonomous vehicles and digital healthcare platforms. A key factor in Sunderland’s success has been its consistent investment in full-fibre broadband infrastructure, which provides the high-speed connectivity needed for IoT devices and data-intensive applications.
The social benefits are equally significant. Smart technologies have been used to improve social care, with wearable devices alerting care providers to falls or other emergencies. Digital skills programmes are being rolled out to ensure that all residents, regardless of age or background, can benefit from the digital economy. Public services have also become more efficient, with real-time data enabling better planning of waste collection, traffic management and street maintenance. The research highlights that the city’s approach works because of sustained political commitment and close collaboration between the council, businesses, universities and community groups. This ecosystem of trust has attracted inward investment and created new jobs, positioning Sunderland as a resilient, future-focused economy.
Glasgow's Climate Leadership and the Power of Community
Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, has been a prominent voice in the global movement for local climate action. As she prepares to step down following nine years at the helm, she explains how leadership, courage and community have combined to make the city a global superpower of local climate action. During her tenure, Glasgow launched an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, one of the first UK cities to set such a target. The city has invested heavily in renewable energy, district heating networks, electric buses and cycling infrastructure, while also undertaking large-scale retrofit programmes to improve the energy efficiency of its housing stock.
Aitken credits much of the progress to the city’s ability to engage residents in the climate agenda. Community engagement is not just about public consultations; it involves co-designing solutions with neighbourhoods, ensuring that benefits such as lower fuel bills and cleaner air are felt by all. She also points to the importance of international networks, through which Glasgow has shared its experiences and learned from other cities. As she leaves office, her legacy includes a powerful demonstration that local action, backed by strong leadership and a genuine sense of community, can deliver meaningful change in the fight against climate change.
Dublin's Digital Twin Projects and Economic Growth
Dublin is another city that is innovating to improve experiences and services for its communities. According to the latest City Profile, Dublin is undertaking a range of digital twin projects that create virtual replicas of physical urban systems, from traffic flows to energy grids. These digital twins allow planners to simulate the impact of new developments or policy changes before implementing them in the real world, saving time and resources while reducing risks. One notable application is in traffic reduction, where Dublin uses real-time data from sensors and GPS to optimise traffic light timings and encourage a shift to more sustainable modes of transport.
The digital twin initiative is part of a broader city innovation agenda that also includes smart parking, waste management and public safety. Dublin has embraced an open-data approach, making city data available to entrepreneurs and researchers to stimulate the development of new services and products. This has contributed to economic growth by attracting tech companies and startups to the city, creating a vibrant innovation ecosystem. By fostering partnerships between the public sector, academia and industry, Dublin is positioning itself as a leading smart city in Europe, with a focus on delivering tangible improvements to residents’ quality of life.
Secure and Interoperable Smart Lighting Infrastructure
Urban lighting is often an overlooked element of city infrastructure, but its modernisation is crucial for both sustainability and safety. The multi-episode series “Cities Thriving on Lighting” has examined how global cities are approaching smart lighting today, with a particular focus on cybersecurity risks. In the final episode, experts discussed the vulnerabilities associated with connected lighting systems, which rely on networks that can be targeted by hackers. As streetlights become more intelligent, they also become nodes in a city’s IoT ecosystem, potentially exposing other systems to attack if not properly secured.
The second episode of the series explored the technology and considerations behind turning existing streetlight networks into secure, interoperable and future-proof infrastructure. Interoperability is essential to avoid vendor lock-in and to ensure that lighting systems can communicate with other city sensors and platforms. The use of open standards allows different devices to work together seamlessly, while robust cybersecurity protocols protect against unauthorised access. Furthermore, smart lighting can deliver substantial energy savings through adaptive lighting that responds to pedestrian presence or traffic levels. By upgrading their lighting networks, cities can reduce emissions, cut costs and lay the groundwork for broader smart city applications.
AI in Transport Requires Strong Data Foundations and Responsible Governance
As transport agencies turn to AI to improve services, the greatest opportunities will depend on strong data foundations, workforce readiness and responsible governance. This insight comes from Katherine Flesh, a digital transformation expert at Microsoft, who highlights that AI’s potential in transport is not just about automation, but about optimising entire systems. For example, AI can predict maintenance needs for rail or bus fleets, schedule services based on predicted demand, and enhance ticketing and passenger information systems. However, these applications rely on high-quality, integrated data from multiple sources, including GPS, smartcards, mobile apps and sensors.
Equally important is the readiness of the workforce. Transport workers need training to work alongside AI systems and to interpret the insights they generate. Governance frameworks must ensure that AI is used ethically, with transparency and accountability, particularly when decisions affect public access to essential services. Ms Flesh argues that cities should adopt a phased approach, starting with well-defined use cases and building capabilities incrementally. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of overambitious projects and deliver reliable, measurable improvements to urban mobility.
A Platform for Sharing Practical Solutions and On-Demand Insights
The 2026 summit also provides an important platform for sharing practical solutions and building new connections across the global smart city community. Representatives from Ecomondo, the leading international trade fair for green technologies, have discussed the priorities shaping healthier, more sustainable cities. They emphasise the need to bring together policymakers, private companies, researchers and citizens to co-create solutions that are environmentally sound and socially inclusive. The summit is seen as a valuable venue for showcasing innovations, exchanging best practices and developing cross-sector partnerships that can accelerate the transition to resilient urban systems.
For those unable to attend all sessions, a range of on-demand panel discussions have been made available. One such session explores AI in city operations, focusing on how cities can move from pilots to everyday practice. Another trend report panel discussion, titled “Operating smarter: using digital twins and AI to reshape urban infrastructure management,” examines the technical and organisational requirements for integrating these powerful tools into daily governance. These on-demand resources allow city practitioners to delve deeper into the practical aspects of digital transformation, learning from peers and experts who are already implementing these technologies at scale.
Source:Smart Cities World News