Launch of the World Smart Cities Outlook 2024

The launch of The World Smart Cities Outlook 2024, Volume 1 in the World Smart Cities Outlook series, marks a significant milestone in global urban innovation research. This groundbreaking report provides an evidence-based assessment of people-centered smart city development across various regions, offering a comprehensive framework for guiding urban digital transformation. Produced in collaboration between UN-Habitat and Edinburgh Napier University, it incorporates key figures on the state of the art, regional trends and forecasting on the topic. Offering both qualitative and quantitative insights into smart city trends, challenges, and future opportunities, it highlights the role of digital technologies in enhancing urban sustainability, resilience, social inclusion, and governance, while also identifying key performance indicators for successful implementation, through real data and case studies. The report aspires to guide policy-making, capacity-building, and smart city project development, focusing on fostering global community building and benchmarking.
It targets national and local governments' officials, particularly those leading smart city development efforts. Secondary audiences include civil society organizations, academia, development agencies, international financing institutions, and private sector stakeholders. The report is relevant across global regions, including Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Arab states.
The findings of the report provide a foundational basis for developing international guidelines on people-centred smart cities.