Innovation in Urban Development

Indore just became India’s first city with Digital House Addresses. Every house now has QR code plates Each linked to a unique digital identity via Digipin. No paperwork. No confusion. Just scan and access everything: Property tax records, water bills, service requests, complaints, all in one place. This is not a pilot. It's live! Ward 82 is the starting point. The plan? Over 7 lakh properties across the city. It’s also the first city to integrate with the Centre’s Digipin system A 10-character geotagged address technology created by India Post, ISRO, NRSC, and IIT-Hyderabad. This is how you modernise governance. A fully digital address ecosystem that works across departments and services. Indore is already the cleanest city in the country. Now it’s setting the pace for digital infrastructure too. A new layer of transparency added to municipal services. This is what it means to redefine Bharat. #Indore #DigitalIndia

𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 🌿 Belgrade, with its rich history and vibrant culture, faces a modern crisis: severe air pollution. Contributing factors include its reliance on coal power and the urban sprawl that leaves little room for traditional parks and trees. The city's struggle mirrors a global issue, where urban areas are the main contributors to CO2 emissions, severely impacting public health and contributing to climate change. 𝐋𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐃 3: 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞 LIQUID 3, a 600-liter photo-bioreactor that harnesses the power of microalgae to purify air at a rate 10-50 times more efficient than a single tree. This isn't just a scientific marvel; it's a multifunctional urban fixture that offers residents a place to rest, charge their phones, and enjoy cleaner air, all powered by solar panels. The project, spearheaded by Dr. Ivan Spasojevic, showcases the versatility of microalgae, organisms capable of not only purifying air but also treating wastewater, producing compost, biomass, and even biofuels. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 Awarded as one of the top 11 climate-smart solutions, LIQUID 3 has gained international recognition, highlighting the potential for innovative approaches to tackle urban environmental challenges. What are your thoughts on integrating such biotechnological innovations into urban planning? Could the Liquid Tree be the prototype for future green spaces in cities worldwide? #innovation #sustainability #greenspaces #ecofriendly #emissionsreduction

Delhi’s public transport to go Fully electric after retiring 99% of CNG buses by December! The red and green low-floor buses introduced before the 2010 commonwealth games replaced diesel buses. Now electric ones are replacing them by December. Delhi now runs 2,917 electric buses out of 5,267 total. Private companies provide buses and staff on wet-lease. The economics work. Electric buses cost less to run, need simpler maintenance, and produce zero emissions. The switch makes financial and environmental sense. The complication is the drivers. Hundreds of DTC drivers suddenly have no buses to operate. The government is absorbing them into other departments to fill vacancies. DTC was paying salaries for drivers working elsewhere, straining finances. Now those departments will reimburse. The wet-lease model speeds deployment. Private operators handle everything, buses, maintenance, staff. DTC doesn't have to manage procurement. This is how infrastructure transitions happen. 2010 CNG replaced diesel, and now electric replaces CNG. Each upgrade creates operational benefits and workforce disruption. Delhi gets cleaner air (which we desperately need) and lower transport costs. The drivers get reassigned to different departments. Whether that's good or bad depends on which side of the transition you're on. Not perfect, but practical. This is how progress looks like without abandoning the people who made it possible.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 A guidance paper by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) Key messages: 🌳 Green and open public spaces are essential for urban health and well-being. They encourage physical activity, mental wellness, social interactions, and community engagement while reducing air pollution and enhancing quality of life. 💰 Investing in public spaces, especially urban parks, brings economic benefits by lowering healthcare costs. Healthier lifestyles, reduced stress, and better air quality lead to financial savings and economic resilience. Well-integrated public spaces also help address spatial and health inequalities. ⚖️ Equitable access to public spaces ensures all residents, regardless of socioeconomic status, can enjoy recreational and green areas, which are crucial for physical and mental health. 🤝 Public spaces foster social cohesion by providing opportunities for social interactions, cultural events, and community activities. This strengthens social bonds, reduces isolation, and improves mental well-being. 🛝 Inclusive and multi-functional design is key. Spaces that cater to different age groups and activities—such as playgrounds, outdoor gyms, and relaxation areas—support active, healthy lifestyles and diverse community needs. [Link in the comments]

Digital Twins: Why Virtual Clones Are The Future In an era of rapid urbanization, current forecasts suggest a significant shift: by 2030, urban locales will become home to over 60% of the world's inhabitants. The potential of smart urban technologies to uplift the quality of urban life could be improved by an impressive 10-30%. Metropolitan areas—such as Seoul, London, Los Angeles, and Singapore. The future of urban development is being redefined by DIGITAL TWINS. The World Economic Forum's August 2023 report on digital twin cities is providing the insights that are reshaping our cities into intelligent, sustainable powerhouses. ✨ Integration of Worlds- Digital twin cities are bridging of physical and digital, enhancing city management and services to new heights of efficiency and interaction. 🌿 Sustainable Transformation - The transformation potential for cities is enormous, offering paths to development that respects both our need for progress and our planet's limits. 🚧 Key Challenges- Urban development has never been more complex, with rapid tech changes, investment risks, and lengthy construction times. But the rewards? Immense. 🛠️ SODPA Framework Strategy, Operation, Data, Platform, Application: this is the mantra for those ready to lead in the digital twin arena. Data platforms and open-source technologies stand out as the superheroes, bolstering governance and spurring collaborative innovation. What Does This Mean For Entrepreneurs and Investors? Smarter Decisions - Simulation of development scenarios, optimization of assets, and data-driven policymaking are just the start. Risk Mitigation - Test, tweak, and transform with the safety net of virtual trials, reducing the 'real-world' risks significantly. 🤝 Collaboration Like Never Before 🤝 - A common platform brings diverse voices to the table, fostering transparency and concerted action. 📈 Market Potential With the digital twin market on track to hit $48B by 2026 and promises of substantial infrastructure cost savings, the time to enter is now. 🥇 Competitive Edge - Early adopters have the chance to lead the charge, shaping standards and pioneering innovations. As we stand on the brink of this urban evolution, our cities pulse with potential, ready for the bold and visionary to define their future. 💭👇Question for Thought Leaders and Innovators: How can we best harness the collective creativity and expertise of our global community to accelerate the adoption of digital twin cities for a sustainable and prosperous future for all? I am a member of the World Smart Cities Economic Development Commission under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ingrid Vasiliu-Feltes where we share insights and experiences to develop Smart Cities to create a better world for all of us. #DigitalTwinCities #UrbanInnovation #SmartCities #SustainableDevelopment #FutureIsNow #TechTrends #UrbanTech #Entrepreneurship #InvestmentOpportunities #DigitalTransformation #innovation

As urban planners, we not only design spaces but also shape the 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗰 of our cities. To truly promote inclusive and equitable development, we must understand the nuances that influence urban dynamics and the different phenomena that occur within the same territory: 🔹 𝗚𝗵𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗼 Originally a term rooted in historical exclusion, today it refers often to areas where 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 are concentrated, almost always due to systemic barriers and not due to choice. Ghettos do not simply refer to poverty, but to 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and lack of opportunity. 🔹 𝗦𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Unlike a ghetto, which reflects outcomes, 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. It can be social, economic, or ethnic, and often stems from policies, market forces, or implicit biases. Whether intentional or structural, it creates 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 in our cities. 🔹 𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Urban imbalance reflects 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: green spaces, jobs, transportation, and education. This is not just a planning issue, but a 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲. A city with imbalances will always produce unequal outcomes, no matter how well designed it is in theory. 🔹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 Too often, privilege is invisible to those who hold it. In urban contexts, privilege can mean access to quality infrastructure, proximity to services, or a louder political voice. But 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹. It's often the result of deliberate decisions by social groups or institutions to 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀. Whether through zoning laws, infrastructure placement, or selective public investment, these choices shape who the city is built for and who is left behind. ⚖️ True urban transformation requires addressing these forces, not just with infrastructure, but also with 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. Let's rethink how we build. Let's design cities that integrate, not isolate. 💡 #UrbanPlanning #SocialEquity #GoverningTheCity #UrbanPlanning #InclusiveCities #SpatialJustice #RightToTheCity #UrbanDesign #CityGovernance #PlanningForPeople #EquitableDevelopment

🚀 Accelerating Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence: Transforming Integrated Operation Centres with Digital Twins As the Technical Director of the EU Local Digital Twin EU LDT Toolbox - Empowering Smart Cities Initiative under the European Commission, I am thrilled to share how Digital Twins are reshaping integrated operation centres, driving urban management into a new era of intelligence and efficiency. 🌍✨ Digital Twins are a convergence of groundbreaking technologies: ✅ 5G Advanced & IoVT: Real-time data collection from connected devices and video sensors. ✅ Data Spaces: Seamless integration of utilities, socio-economic stats, and human dynamics for actionable insights. ✅ AI/ML & GenAI: From event detection and predictive analysis to user-friendly reports that make data accessible to all. ✅ Geospatial Technologies: AR/VR, 3D mapping, and GeoAI enabling immersive, actionable insights. ✅ Advanced User Interfaces: Bridging technology with usability through the Citiverse. 💡 Real-World Impact: These technologies are not just concepts—they are actively transforming urban centers, we are presenting a real example in Shenzhen, China by Huawei; which is addressing: 🌳 Enhancing sustainability with smarter green coverage and air quality monitoring. 📊 Improving economic operations by integrating socio-economic data to optimize investments and retail strategies. 🎥 Boosting safety and efficiency through IoVT and real-time event detection, such as traffic violations or public safety hazards. 🛠 Driving job creation by turning AI-detected events into actionable interventions, fostering local employment. The future is here, and it’s intelligent, sustainable, and immersive. By leveraging Digital Twins, we are creating smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities. Let’s connect to explore how we can drive the digital transformation of urban spaces together! 💬 #DigitalTwins #SmartCities #IndustrialDigitalization #UrbanInnovation #TechForGood #DataSpaces #AIForCities #Libelium

As the world embraces the era of Meta Cities (network of interconnected urban hubs and satellites, blending physical and virtual spaces to create a cohesive and expansive economic and social ecosystem, thriving on the flow of talent and ideas), we're witnessing a profound transformation in how we conceive urban spaces and work environments. This shift, driven by the synergy of digital connectivity and physical locality, is redefining the global economic landscape, with cities like Austin, Miami, London, Paris and Vancouver emerging as key players in this narrative. This global trend sees cities not just as physical locations but as dynamic, interconnected ecosystems, where innovation in areas like VR/AR, AI, life sciences, and clean tech flourishes. Vancouver, with its burgeoning frontier tech scene and commitment to sustainable living, exemplifies this new wave of urban evolution. But it's not just about technology. The heart of this transformation lies in creating communities and collaborative spaces that foster interaction and innovation. These intentional spaces, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, are more than workplaces; they are melting pots of creativity and collaboration, critical to the vitality of Meta Cities. As we navigate this new era, it's important to recognize the role of these new city bases. They are not just participants but catalysts in the global narrative of Meta Cities. Their blend of technological advancement and quality of life is a beacon for the best talent worldwide, illustrating the potential of what urban spaces can become. For entrepreneurs and innovators, understanding this shift is crucial. The future is in leveraging these new dynamics, where cities become networks of opportunity and innovation. Meta Cities, play a pivotal role in shaping a connected, sustainable, and innovative global community. Harvard Business Review https://lnkd.in/g-c-yuAs

The cities of tomorrow are being built today. But what defines a truly smart city? Is it cutting-edge technology, AI-driven automation, or IoT-enabled infrastructure? While these play a role, the real foundation of smart cities lies in strategic foresight, sustainable innovation, and human-centric design. Proactive urban planning – Anticipating future challenges and building resilience. Sustainability at scale – Optimizing energy, water, and waste management. Citizen-centric development – Enhancing public services, mobility, and inclusivity. Beyond the Myths: What Makes a City Truly Smart? Myth 1: Smart cities are only about technology. Reality: While tech plays a vital role, smart cities thrive on sustainability, good governance, and citizen participation. Myth 2: Smart cities are just for big metros. Reality: Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are rapidly growing and looking for smart waste management, and efficient mobility solutions. Myth 3: Smart cities are too expensive to build. Reality: By integrating virtual twin simulations, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making, cities can optimize resources, reduce operational costs, and improve infrastructure efficiency. Many Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are leading the way, leveraging AI, IoT, and big data to improve urban infrastructure, sustainability, and economic growth. While focusing on these aspects, the real question is: Are we merely integrating technology, or are we reimagining urban resilience, livability, and sustainability? The future of smart cities lies in collaboration, where governments, businesses, and citizens work together to create thriving, future-ready urban spaces. At Dassault Systèmes, we are committed to empowering cities with virtual twin experiences to drive sustainable urban transformation. We believe that creating a virtual city (that we call Virtual Twin tech) that is redefining how cities are envisioned, built, and managed. By creating precise, data-driven virtual replicas of entire urban ecosystems, we can simulate real-world scenarios, optimize resources, and drive smarter decision-making before implementation. Let us build cities that are not just smart, but resilient, inclusive, and future-ready! How can we support governemnt and enable their vision of developed infrastructure ? What is your perspective on India’s smart city evolution? #SmartCities #DassaultSystèmes

Barcelona turns subway stations into power plants How? By using regenerative braking 🌎 Barcelona is advancing sustainable urban mobility through the implementation of regenerative braking technology in its subway system. This process captures the kinetic energy produced when trains decelerate, converting it into electricity that powers the transit network. The initiative is part of the MetroCHARGE program, which utilizes otherwise wasted energy to operate trains, station amenities, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Currently, 33% of the subway system’s energy needs are met through regenerative braking, reducing CO2 emissions by 3.9 metric tons annually. The initiative has also lowered tunnel temperatures by nearly 2°F, improving passenger comfort and operational efficiency. With 13 additional inverters planned, the program is expected to provide 41% of the energy required to operate the system, demonstrating the scalability of regenerative braking technology in urban transit. The financial model underpinning MetroCHARGE ensures its long-term viability. The €7.8 million investment is projected to be recovered in under five years through reduced energy costs and revenue from EV chargers. This approach highlights how innovative energy management can enhance sustainability while maintaining cost-efficiency, offering a replicable framework for other cities to consider. As cities worldwide face mounting energy demands, Barcelona’s example illustrates the potential of regenerative braking to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. With strategic planning, including retrofitting older systems and aligning infrastructure investments, urban transit networks can adopt similar solutions, contributing to global sustainability efforts. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange  #climateaction