UN-Habitat Chief on People-Centered Smart Cities for a Fairer Future

The Challenge of Urban Inequality

• 🏠 Nearly 3 billion people live in inadequate housing, with over 1 billion in informal settlements and 300 million homeless.
• 🌐 While technology advances rapidly, over 2.7 billion people remain offline, highlighting a disconnect in smart city planning.
• ⚠️ There is nothing "smart" about a city that leaves its citizens behind.

Reimagining Smart Cities

• 💡 The core principle of smart cities must be people-centered, with technology serving citizens.
• 🎯 Digital tools like geospatial mapping and early warning systems can save lives, secure land rights, and improve housing and services.
• ✅ Technology's true value lies in its ability to transform daily life, such as providing clean water, enabling online education, or preparing for climate events.

Towards Fairer, Safer, and Resilient Cities

• 🏙️ The future of urban development requires reimagining what "smart" truly means.
• 🤝 A people-centered smart city leverages technology to enhance the quality of life for all residents.
• 🚀 The goal is to connect digital innovation with housing, land, and basic services to ensure cities are not only smarter but also fairer, safer, and more resilient.