What are the smartest cities around the world: ranking, examples and outlook

Singapore ranks among the smartest cities in the world across various indexes and has consistently held a top 10 position in the IMD Smart City Index since 2019. The Asian city-state, the second most densely populated in the world, launched the Smart Nation initiative in 2014. This initiative has been implemented using digital technologies to improve transportation, public administration, healthcare, and security. Singapore also aims to be the first country to develop an eco-smart city completely free of vehicles. The project involves the construction of five smart residential districts in the Tengah area, located in the western region of Singapore, with 42,000 homes, as well as pedestrian and cyclist-friendly zones.

In recent years, Dubai has established itself as a benchmark for urban innovation. With the launch of the Dubai Smart City Project in 2013, the city has invested in key sectors for transformation into a Smart City: transportation, energy, security, and governance. Dubai features an intelligent public transport system based on an automated metro and electric buses and trams, supported by smart apps and sensors to enhance travel and reduce traffic congestion. Additionally, the city uses smart technologies to minimize its environmental impact through optimized consumption of water and energy. Dubai is also one of the safest cities in the world, thanks to advanced video surveillance systems based on data collection and analysis. Aiming to become the smartest city in the world by 2030, Dubai is set to adopt futuristic technologies including flying taxis and 3D-printed buildings.

Tokyo, a megacity with nearly ten million residents, stands out globally not just for its technological components but also for its people-centric approach. For instance, Japan’s capital consistently invests in achieving major sustainability goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Hydrogen plays a particularly crucial role in this vision and is poised to become the fuel of the future for transportation. A standout “smart project” is Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, a model district for sustainability featuring a smart grid, low-energy buildings, and water reuse systems. Naturally, robotics and AI are also integral to Tokyo, with robots serving as assistants in airports, hotels, and train stations to help both residents and tourists.

After reaching third place in the 2024 IMD Smart City Index, Australia’s capital fell to ninth place in the latest edition. These rankings were earned thanks to efforts in sustainability and digital transformation, focusing on the quality of life for both citizens and visitors. Canberra has launched and implemented various hallmark Smart City solutions, including the Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, which aims to promote the use of electric transport to reduce CO₂ emissions. Another initiative is the development of a Digital Twin, which - through a network of IoT sensors - allows for real-time monitoring and management of various urban functions. This enables local authorities to collect data on traffic flow, energy use, and water resource management to make data-driven decisions and improve public services.

Over the past five years, Abu Dhabi has climbed the IMD Smart City Index rankings, rising from 14th place in 2020 to fifth in the latest edition. This recognition highlights the success of the Emirati capital’s governmental approach, which has addressed the issue of public transportation, gaining high approval from its residents thanks to 90 million rides taken last year. Additionally, 168,000 citizens now use the smart water network. In 2024 alone, Abu Dhabi invested nearly one billion euros in mobility and new road infrastructure projects, including a double bridge designed to ease traffic peaks and reduce delays on Al Kahleej Al Arabi Street. The city also boasts green spaces and smart parking solutions, as well as attention to the aesthetics of public areas, for example through the Abu Dhabi Canvas initiative aimed at celebrating the country’s artistic and cultural heritage.

The Big Apple is among the most advanced Smart Cities in the world, thanks to numerous smart projects and initiatives aimed at improving quality of life, sustainability, and urban efficiency. The city has implemented intelligent traffic management systems, such as the Midtown in Motion program, which uses sensors and cameras to optimize traffic flow and reduce delays. Additionally, New York is committed to sustainability by replacing polluting vehicles with those powered by renewable energy, increasing the number of electric vehicle charging stations, and launching the Citywide Climate Initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make the city a model of sustainability. Lastly, through NYC Smart, the goal is to make New York the most digitally advanced city in the world by developing smart projects for resource management, safety, and healthcare.

California’s largest city is also a global Smart City leader. Faced with overpopulation and traffic congestion, Los Angeles has embarked on an ecological transition with the goal of being powered exclusively by clean energy by 2035, thereby improving the health and quality of life of its residents. Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics, the city is enhancing its fiber-optic connectivity infrastructure as well as expanding electric vehicle charging stations, in line with the roadmap set by the SmartLA 2028 digitalization project launched in 2020. Furthermore, the megacity is investing in a smart LED urban lighting system controlled by software that uses IoT sensors to also detect noise pollution. Los Angeles is also home to numerous tech companies that contribute to the development of smart solutions for the city’s transformation.

Over the past twenty years, South Korea’s capital has increasingly transformed into an intelligent metropolis. For instance, with the Seoul Metaverse initiative in 2023, the city launched its virtual twin in the metaverse. This project is part of the ambitious Seoul Vision, backed by substantial investments, pursues several smart goals: creating a discrimination-free and inclusive culture and environment, developing and supporting local brands, promoting accessible areas, aiding young innovative startups, creating an innovative ecosystem offering employment opportunities for those over 50, providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth, and preventing isolation and loneliness among citizens through smart technologies. To achieve these objectives, the city plans to increase the use of technologies such as blockchain, IoT, Big Data, and AI, along with its extensive public Wi-Fi network (Seoul Free Wi-Fi) and its e-governance system designed to foster an innovative urban culture based on IT and data.

China has been investing in the transformation of its cities into Smart Cities for over a decade, aiming to address pollution issues and improve sustainability, as well as to optimize energy management and citizen behavior. Within this framework, Beijing stands out for its multiple initiatives geared toward becoming smarter, focusing particularly on advanced infrastructure, 5G technology, and digital services with the goal of improving urban efficiency. A particularly noteworthy Smart City project on a global scale is Xiaoang: a city built 100 kilometers from the capital to host 2.5 million inhabitants. According to government plans, it is meant to serve as a model for an environmentally friendly smart city equipped with ultra-fast connectivity and innovative infrastructure. More broadly, Beijing aims to become a global hub for next-generation services, with a strong focus on advanced connectivity and digital solutions.

Thanks to its innovation ecosystem, electric mobility, connectivity, and environmental awareness, the Chilean capital has successfully integrated with its population of over 6 million people (8 million including the greater urban area). It also stands out for its progress in applying the Circular Economy paradigm within the South American Smart City landscape. Indeed, Santiago has adopted technologies for efficient energy and water management, promoting sustainability and reducing its environmental impact through the Sé Santiago project. Additionally, with a smart mobility system in place, the city reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in 2023, aiming for a 50% reduction by the end of 2025. This goal is being pursued through the electrification of its public bus fleet and the integration of various transport modes to facilitate citizen mobility.