Cities are already home to more than half of the world’s population and this percentage is growing rapidly. As urbanization accelerates, the challenge lies in making cities more resilient, and sustainable, while improving the quality of life for all residents. The United Nations’ World Cities Day emphasizes the importance of innovative solutions to address urban challenges, and this year the focus is on people-centred smart cities showing how data, technology, and AI can enhance urban living, support recovery from current challenges, and advance initiatives that put people at the centre.
Technological innovation, guided by international standards, plays a crucial role in enabling smart and sustainable cities. From smart grids that ensure reliable and efficient energy distribution, to IoT-enabled systems that enhance service delivery and urban mobility, standards create the foundation for interoperability, safety, and trust. IEC and ISO International Standards in particular help integrate diverse technologies, support scalable solutions, and foster innovation that directly contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The challenge is to use these standards to design our cities around the needs of their diverse communities and ensure the best possible quality of life for everyone, both for those alive today and for future generations. And how the use of standards-based innovative technologies such as digital twins and the CitiVerse can support participatory decision making, where ordinary people can have an active role in ensuring that their cities work for them.
This IEC Academy webinar will showcase how international standards are shaping the future of urban living. Experts will highlight practical applications in energy, resource management and participatory planning, while sharing global case studies that illustrate successful strategies. They will also give an update on the Technology Report on Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) that the IEC System Committee Smart Cities has developed. Participants will gain insights into how standards drive collaboration, innovation, and efficiency, empowering policymakers, city planners, and industry stakeholders to build cities around the needs of their residents, that are not only smarter, but also more sustainable, inclusive and people-centred.