Urban areas around the world are swimming in data—from building management systems, sensors, utility networks, public transport, and citizen services. Yet much of this data remains underused. A growing number of city leaders are now recognizing that the combination of buildings, data and artificial intelligence (AI) can unlock significant value, leading to more resilient infrastructure, more efficient energy systems, and better services for residents. This was the central theme of a recent high-level panel discussion focused on "Unlocking value in cities from buildings, data and AI."
Moving Toward Strategic, Risk-Based Infrastructure Resilience
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the need for cities to move away from reactive maintenance and toward a more strategic, risk-based approach to infrastructure resilience. Instead of waiting for failures to occur, municipalities are increasingly using data analytics and AI to predict where risks are highest—whether that is in aging bridges, water networks, or power grids. By prioritizing investments based on risk, cities can allocate scarce resources more effectively and reduce the likelihood of disruptive outages.
This shift is particularly important in the context of climate change, where extreme weather events are putting unprecedented stress on urban infrastructure. A risk-based approach enables cities to identify vulnerable assets long before they fail, allowing for proactive maintenance, timely upgrades, and smarter design of new systems. Panelists emphasized that the goal is not just to repair physical infrastructure, but to build a comprehensive understanding of how different systems interact—and where AI can provide the predictive insight needed to stay ahead of emerging challenges.
Local Authorities Shaping Energy Systems
Another major theme was the role of local authorities in shaping energy systems. Cities are no longer passive consumers of electricity; they are becoming active shapers of the energy transition. Through a combination of renewables, flexibility services, energy storage, and smarter networks, local governments can drive down carbon emissions while improving energy security and affordability.
The panel highlighted how municipalities can use their buildings as flexible assets. By installing solar panels, battery storage, and smart meters, public buildings can generate, store, and trade energy. This not only reduces operational costs but also contributes to grid stability. For example, a city might use its buildings as virtual power plants, adjusting demand in response to real-time grid conditions. Such strategies require robust data platforms and AI algorithms to coordinate energy flows across multiple sites, but the potential benefits are enormous—both financially and environmentally.
The Role of Buildings in a Data-Driven City
Buildings are not just physical structures; they are rich sources of data. Modern commercial and residential buildings are equipped with sensors that track occupancy, temperature, air quality, lighting, and energy use. When aggregated and analyzed, this data can unlock insights that lead to better building performance, lower costs, and improved comfort for occupants. AI can identify patterns of energy waste, predict equipment failures, and recommend optimal settings for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
At the city scale, the aggregation of building data enables a more holistic approach to urban planning. For instance, data on energy consumption across neighborhoods can inform decisions about where to invest in district heating networks or solar installations. Data on indoor environmental quality can highlight areas where residents may be exposed to poor air quality, prompting targeted interventions. In this sense, buildings become the foundational layer of a city-wide digital ecosystem.
Smart Lighting and Future-Proof Infrastructure
A particularly visible example of buildings-and-infrastructure value creation is the transformation of streetlight networks. Once considered passive infrastructure, streetlights are now being turned into secure, interoperable, and future-proof platforms. By integrating sensors, cameras, and connectivity, streetlight columns can support smart parking, traffic management, environmental monitoring, and public safety applications. They can also be optimized for energy efficiency, with AI-driven controls that adjust lighting levels based on real-time conditions.
However, panelists warned that these benefits come with cybersecurity risks. A network of connected streetlights is a potential entry point for cyberattacks, which could disrupt critical services or compromise sensitive data. Therefore, cities must build security into the design of smart lighting systems from the outset, using encryption, secure authentication, and continuous monitoring. The goal is to create an interoperable ecosystem where different devices and platforms can communicate securely, while avoiding lock-in to a single vendor.
AI in City Operations: From Pilots to Everyday Practice
A recurring discussion point was the challenge of moving AI from pilots to everyday practice in city operations. While many cities have tested AI-based solutions, scaling them across a large metropolitan area is difficult. The panel identified several critical enablers: strong data foundations, workforce readiness, and responsible governance. Without high-quality, well-governed data, AI models cannot be trained effectively. Without skilled staff, city agencies cannot manage and trust AI systems. And without clear ethical guidelines, AI can perpetuate bias or infringe on privacy.
In the transportation sector, AI is already being used to improve services—from predicting traffic congestion to optimizing public transit schedules. But the greatest opportunities depend on breaking down data silos between departments and with private partners. For instance, a city might combine data from buses, ride-sharing services, sensors, and traffic signals to create a seamless mobility platform. AI can then provide real-time recommendations to travelers and help operators adjust supply to demand. The panel emphasized that responsible AI governance is not an afterthought; it is a prerequisite for public trust and long-term success.
Digital Twins: Shaping Urban Infrastructure Management
Another powerful tool discussed at the panel was the use of digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets or entire districts. Digital twins allow city managers to simulate the impact of new policies, infrastructure changes, or emergency responses in a low-risk environment. For example, a digital twin of a city’s water network can help engineers identify pressure loss scenarios or plan maintenance without disturbing residents. Similarly, a digital twin of a building can optimize energy usage by modeling different HVAC strategies in real time.
When combined with AI, digital twins become even more valuable. AI can analyze the vast streams of data generated by the twin and suggest actions that humans might not have considered. It can also learn from historical patterns to predict future performance, enabling a shift from reactive to predictive maintenance. However, building a digital twin requires significant investment and technical expertise, so cities need to prioritize use cases that deliver clear value.
Case Study: Sunderland’s Smart City Programme
Sunderland is a prime example of how long-term connectivity investment, civic leadership, and trusted partnerships can turn digital ambition into real impact. The city’s smart city programme is delivering measurable economic, social, and public-service benefits. By building a robust digital infrastructure, Sunderland has attracted investment, improved transport, and created a platform for new services.
One of the key lessons from Sunderland is the importance of civic leadership. The city council has actively championed the smart city agenda, working closely with businesses and universities to co-create solutions. This collaborative approach has helped to ensure that projects are aligned with the needs of residents and are financially sustainable. The city has also focused on low-carbon innovation, positioning itself as a resilient, future-focused economy.
Glasgow’s Climate Leadership
Glasgow offers another inspiring example. Under the leadership of Susan Aitken, who recently stepped down after nine years as leader of Glasgow City Council, the city has become a global superpower of local climate action. Aitken has often stressed that leadership, courage, and community engagement are essential for meaningful change. Glasgow has invested in energy-efficient retrofit programs, renewable energy projects, and sustainable transport, all while creating new green jobs.
Aitken’s tenure demonstrates that city leaders can be powerful catalysts for transformation. By setting ambitious targets and building coalitions across the public, private, and voluntary sectors, Glasgow has shown that it is possible to take bold action on climate change at the local level. Her departure marks the end of an era, but her legacy provides a playbook for other cities.
Dublin’s Innovations in Digital Services
Dublin is also innovating to improve experiences and services for its communities. The city is using digital twin projects to visualize urban development scenarios, manage traffic reduction initiatives, and support economic growth. For example, Dublin has used digital twins to simulate the impact of new cycling lanes, pedestrian zones, and public transport routes before they are implemented. This has allowed city planners to engage citizens in the design process and avoid costly mistakes.
Moreover, Dublin’s focus on data sharing and collaboration has enabled the creation of a more integrated urban ecosystem. By opening up data to developers, the city has fostered a vibrant civic tech community that builds apps and services for everything from parking to air quality. These efforts are helping Dublin to remain competitive as a smart city while improving quality of life for residents.
The Importance of Partnerships and Ecosystem Building
Across all the examples discussed, one factor is paramount: the power of partnerships. No city can unlock the full value of buildings, data, and AI alone. Successful initiatives require collaboration among governments, technology providers, research institutions, utilities, and citizens. The panellists stressed that cities should not be afraid to experiment but must also be rigorous about measuring outcomes and scaling what works.
Trade fairs and knowledge-sharing platforms, such as Ecomondo, play an important role in this ecosystem. They provide a space for city leaders and industry experts to exchange practical solutions, learn from failures, and forge new connections. By participating in these networks, cities can accelerate their digital journeys and avoid reinventing the wheel.
The message from the panel is clear: the buildings that house our homes, workplaces, and public services, the data that flows through our cities, and the AI systems that interpret that data are not separate concerns. They are deeply interconnected. When cities integrate these elements strategically, they can unlock value that improves lives, strengthens resilience, and protects the planet for future generations.
Source:Smart Cities World News