This message is at the core of this year\u2019s World Cities Day, celebrated in Bogot\u00e1 under the theme People-Centred Smart Cities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Organised by UN-Habitat, the event brings together mayors, urban planners, and community leaders to explore how data, design, and digital tools can build cities that are not only smarter but also fairer, greener, and more inclusive.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With nearly 70% of the world\u2019s population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, the demand for housing, services, and climate resilience continues to rise. UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, in his message for the day, stressed that innovation must close gaps rather than widen them.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cA truly smart city puts people first, especially the most vulnerable,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen we place people at the centre, digital innovation can help drive fairness and sustainability for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bogot\u00e1, known globally for its creative approach to urban management, has been recognised for integrating technology with citizen engagement. Its initiatives, such as TransMilenio, a pioneering bus rapid transit system, and Ciclov\u00eda, which transforms streets into car-free zones every Sunday, have inspired cities worldwide.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Elkin Vel\u00e1squez, UN-Habitat\u2019s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said Bogot\u00e1 offers a valuable example of how data and dialogue can help shape equitable futures.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe global observance here will foster international dialogue on people-centred smart cities, where technology enhances quality of life and strengthens community bonds,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Among the keynote speakers is Carlo Ratti, Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Senseable City Lab, who argues that cities must evolve beyond the traditional idea of the \u201csmart city.\u201d \u201cCities must first and foremost be about people, responsive, inclusive, and adaptive,\u201d he said. \u201cA \u2018senseable city\u2019 uses technology not for its own sake, but to better listen to and serve its citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ratti praised Bogot\u00e1 for its experimental spirit, calling it a \u201cleading city for urban innovation.\u201d He also emphasised the need for sustainable approaches to construction and urban design, suggesting that \u201cin an age of climate emergency, the most radical act may be not to build, or to build differently.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Anacl\u00e1udia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Bogot\u00e1 embodies the principles of people-centred smart cities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Bogot\u00e1, the smart cities approach aims to improve well-being and quality of life,\u201d she said. \u201cProgrammes like Ecobarrios and Mi Casa promote resilience and sustainability, while digital tools like Chatico, an AI-powered virtual agent, enhance citizen participation.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She added that such initiatives are key to advancing sustainable mobility, bridging the digital divide, and fostering inclusive governance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
World Cities Day concludes UN-Habitat\u2019s Urban October, a month-long campaign to promote sustainable and inclusive urbanisation. This year\u2019s observance in Bogot\u00e1 aims to leave a legacy of collaboration and shared commitment to a more equitable urban future.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThe legacy we seek is twofold,\u201d Rossbach said. \u201cTo showcase cities\u2019 creativity in advancing people-centred smart approaches, and to strengthen cooperation so that innovation continues to serve people, not the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14261,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[44,26],"class_list":["post-14260","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"As cities around the world embrace digital transformation, the United Nations (UN) has urged that technology must serve people first, not the other way around. ","published_date":null,"news_description":"As cities around the world embrace digital transformation, the United Nations (UN) has urged that technology must serve people first, not the other way around. ","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/14260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/14260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19001,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/14260\/revisions\/19001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=14260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}