"Future City Advisory Outlook 2025: AI and Cities" Report Launched in Bogotá on the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025

"Future City Advisory Outlook 2025: AI and Cities" Report Launched in Bogotá on the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025 — Released in Chinese, English, and Spanish, Drawing the First Comprehensive Panorama and Roadmap for AI-Empowered Sustainable Urban Development

Bogotá, Colombia, November 1, 2025 — During the Global Observance of World Cities Day 2025, the UN-Habitat China Future Cities Council released its flagship report, "Future City Advisory Outlook 2025: AI and Cities". It develops the world’s first technical panorama and roadmap which systematically elaborates how artificial intelligence promotes sustainable urban development.

One Year to Develop, Led by the Academician

The report was led by Dr. Wang Jian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and took nearly a year to compile. It brings together expertise from government, academia, industry, and international organization. The report has been released globally in Chinese, English, and Spanish, with Arabic, French, and Russian versions to be released successively.

The report systematically outlines the technological pathways and practical applications of AI in advancing sustainable urban development, covering core areas such as urban planning, infrastructure, energy management, and public services. It provides a reference framework for policy formulation and practical implementation for cities worldwide.

Issuing a Global Action Initiative

The Report launched the Global Smart Cities Action Initiative, calling on cities around the world to collaborate in promoting responsible application of AI technologies, and jointly build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable future cities.

Chinese Case Studies Offer Practical Examples

The Report includes several innovative cases from Chinese cities, "City Brain," achieves systematic resource conservation and people-centered governance in Hangzhou; Intelligent solution of "Non-Traffic Restrictions" through its "City Brain" in Nanchang; Smart traffic management around hospitals in Chengdu; the practices by the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute and Guangzhou Urban Planning & Design Survey Research Institute in AI-assisted planning and spatial governance; and the achievements by BOE in integrating "AI + Sensing" technologies to enhance urban public infrastructure and safety. All these cases provide valuable experience for cities globally.

Ying Sheng, the Country Manager of UN-Habitat China Office stated that the Report summarizes China’s experience in AI-empowered urban governance, but also represents a collective action initiative for cities worldwide. “Artificial intelligence is becoming a key driver of sustainable urban development. AI is profoundly reshaping the future of cities from improving operational efficiency and optimizing resource allocation, to addressing climate change and promoting social inclusion,

Background

World Cities Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 to promote experience sharing and collaboration among global cities and advance sustainable urbanization. This Global Observance in 2025 was held in Bogotá, gathered government representatives, experts, scholars, and international organizations from over 100 countries together to discuss the theme of "People-Centered Smart Cities".