World Cities Day Highlights Role of Technology in Urban Development

World Cities Day, celebrated annually on October 31, focuses on promoting urban globalisation and sustainable urban development. This year’s observance takes place in Bogotá, Colombia, a city renowned for its innovative public transport and rapid urban transformation. With a theme of “Promoting People-Centred Smart Cities” for 2025, the event underscores how technology, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) can create urban spaces that are safer, healthier, and more sustainable.

The United Nations established World Cities Day in 2014 to enhance the global community’s interest in urbanisation. Each year, the event is hosted in a different city, with a specific focus that guides discussions and activities. The increasing importance of smart cities is evident as urban areas now accommodate over half of the world’s population. These cities leverage technology integrated with urban infrastructure to improve the quality of life through efficient resource management and citizen-centric services.

In support of this initiative, the World Health Organization emphasizes the role of smart urban planning in mitigating health risks, ranging from non-communicable diseases to violence. Intelligent urban design leads to healthier and more resilient cities, which is essential in an increasingly urbanised world.

Dahua Technology and Hanwha Vision are two prominent companies at the forefront of developing smart, sustainable cities. Dahua Technology provides video-centric smart Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, contributing significantly to creating safer, data-driven urban environments. Their Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) is implemented in cities globally, enhancing road safety and efficiency. Key features of Dahua’s solutions include:

– **Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)**: Tracks vehicles in real-time, improving traffic flow and aiding law enforcement.
– **Smart Parking Monitors**: Directs drivers to available spaces, reducing congestion and introducing dynamic pricing based on demand.
– **Speed Detection and Violation Monitoring**: Automated systems that enhance road safety by minimizing human error in traffic enforcement.
– **Urban Surveillance and Public Safety**: AI-powered cameras that detect unusual behaviour and assist in emergency responses.

In addition to Dahua, Hanwha Vision and Honeywell are also key contributors to smart city technology. Hanwha focuses on AI-based security for smart transportation systems, while Honeywell develops urban air quality sensors and building management systems that aim to reduce emissions and energy consumption. These advancements are crucial for creating safer and more liveable cities.

World Cities Day also coincides with the conclusion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures as cities adopt smarter technologies. Effective urban management systems, including traffic control and emergency alerts, rely on secure, encrypted data environments. A breach in cybersecurity can severely disrupt essential services.

Both Dahua and Hanwha Vision integrate cybersecurity protocols into their platforms, employing encryption, AI-based threat detection, and secure cloud storage to protect public assets and privacy. Dahua has received internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications, such as the Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15048) EAL 3+ certificate and ISO/IEC 27701 for Privacy Information Management. Hanwha Vision has also obtained the IEC 62443-4-1 Certification for Industrial Cybersecurity Capability and complies with ISO 27001 for Information Security Management.

As we look towards the future of urban development, technology leaders are demonstrating that with the right tools and partnerships, cities can be developed to be not only smart but also safe, sustainable, and focused on human needs. This World Cities Day, the emphasis on the role of technology, data, and AI serves as a crucial reminder of the potential to enhance urban environments, ensuring they are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.