SmartCitiesWorld Podcast

Cities Thriving on Lighting, Episode 1 – Lighting as the backbone of the smart city

In the first episode of the Cities Thriving on Lighting mini-series, SmartCitiesWorld’s Luke Antoniou is joined by Julia Arneri-Borghese, CEO at Paradox Engineering, and Carlo Bernocco, who leads product portfolio, customer success, and business development at the company. Together, they unpack how city lighting has evolved from a basic utility into a strategic platform for smarter, safer, and more sustainable urban environments.

The conversation begins with the shift from traditional streetlighting to LED, exploring why that transition marked a key moment in the digital transformation of public lighting. Carlo then broadens the lens, explaining how public lighting is one of the most visible and widely distributed infrastructures in any city.

A major theme is interoperability and open standards. The guests explain why decisions made today must withstand several decades of technological change, and how standards-based, open solutions help cities avoid vendor lock-in, reduce long-term costs, and stay flexible as needs evolve.

Real-world examples from Gijón (Spain), Las Condes (Chile), and Chiasso (Switzerland) illustrate how cities are already using smart lighting networks as a backbone for additional services and dynamic, citizen-centric experiences.

This episode sets the foundation for the series, offering city leaders and practitioners a clear understanding of where smart lighting has come from, what it enables today, and why it remains one of the most powerful entry points into the smart city journey.

How cities can own their data and their future with sovereign AI

In this episode of the SmartCitiesWorld podcast, SmartCitiesWorld's Luke Antoniou is joined once again by Youssef Nadiri from PNY Technologies to explore what sovereign AI really means for cities – and why it’s becoming such a critical topic for urban leaders.

Building on their earlier conversation about edge AI, this episode looks at sovereign AI foundations: how cities can develop, deploy, and govern AI systems while keeping control of their data, models, and infrastructure choices. Nadiri explains why this matters when city authorities are dealing with sensitive citizen information, video feeds, and traffic data, and how maintaining trust, transparency, and regulatory compliance is central to any AI strategy.

Nadiri also unpacks insights from a closed‑door workshop at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, where cities at very different stages of their AI journey shared their concerns and ambitions. The discussion highlights the tension between innovation and risk, and how sovereign AI can help cities move forward without handing over all control to external cloud providers.

The episode also touches on practical directions for cities: choosing between on‑prem, cloud, and hybrid/edge architectures; involving legal and governance experts from day one; and assembling small, cross‑disciplinary teams that can start experimenting with AI in a responsible way.

Finally, Nadiri sets out the economic opportunity of Sovereign AI – from supporting startups and SMEs with shared infrastructure to positioning cities as AI testbeds that attract talent and investment.

If you’re a city leader, technologist, or policymaker wondering how to embrace AI without losing control of your data, this episode offers a clear, practical starting point – and a vision of what’s possible when cities take ownership of their AI future.

Using mobility data to shape the future of cities

Join SmartCitiesWorld's Luke Antoniou as he welcomes Ralf-Peter Schäfer, VP of Product Management, Traffic and Travel Information at TomTom, to share insights from his two decades at in mobility. Listeners will hear about TomTom’s strategic pivots – from consumer electronics to B2B services, industry partnerships, and the bold step into open mapping consortia – all while maintaining the company’s core focus on navigation and innovation.

The conversation delves into the central role that data now plays in the world of mobility, highlighting how real-time traffic information not only reveals congestion bottlenecks but also unlocks new ways for cities to analyse travel behaviour, promote social equity, and achieve environmental goals. Ralf-Peter explores the challenges cities face in making use of these data-driven insights – especially given the complexities of political will, policy cycles, and the balancing act between long-term strategy and short-term needs. The episode sheds light on how some cities have achieved lasting progress through steadfast commitment or decisive top-down strategies, using data as a foundation for change.

Trust and collaboration emerge as crucial themes, with Ralf-Peter describing how public-private partnerships have evolved over time, the need to bridge the gap between government authorities, technology providers, and the public, and the innovative integration of urban infrastructure with digital navigation ecosystems.

Looking ahead, the discussion turns to the transformational impact of AI and automation on mobility and urban life. Ralf-Peter offers perspectives on the opportunities and risks for cities as they embrace technologies like autonomous vehicles and real-time mapping.

Ralf-Peter and TomTom will be participating at the ITS Australia Summit 19-21 November 2025 – stop by Stand 40 of the exhibition to see what they're up to.

To find out more about Ralf-Peter's work with TomTom, take a look at his recent op-ed for SmartCitiesWorld.

Building resilient cities: trustworthy AI, digital twins, and urban innovation at YII 2025

Join senior editor Luke Antoniou for a special SmartCitiesWorld podcast episode, recorded live at the Bentley Systems' Year in Infrastructure (YII) Conference 2025 in Amsterdam. In this thought-provoking instalment, we welcome two expert guests from Bentley: Zubran Solaimon, Director for Industry Strategy, and Dorothea Manou, Solution Manager for Cities and Urban Infrastructure. Together, they reflect on headline-making keynote announcements, cutting-edge trends, and what it takes to build resilient, people-centric urban environments in our rapidly evolving world.

The discussion takes listeners to the heart of one of the industry’s most dynamic gatherings, exploring how trustworthy AI and digital twin technologies are quickly moving from theoretical concepts to real-world tools that empower cities to address complex challenges – like capacity constraints, climate risks, infrastructure resilience, and the ongoing skills gap. Zubran and Dorothea offer insights into how Bentley’s innovative solutions are helping cities of all sizes harness data, foster collaboration, and make more informed decisions with the help of open, interoperable platforms.

The episode also highlights the importance of nurturing talent for the next generation of urban professionals, spotlighting STEM programmes and community-driven innovation that encourage greater participation and knowledge sharing across sectors. There's also discussion on the sense of energy and inspiration found at events like Bentley's Urban Tech Challenge, hosted in Dublin earlier in 2025, and the Going Digital Awards, part of YII.

Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at how Bentley and its partners are shaping the future of urban living – prioritising not only technology, but also people and communities. Tune in for a glimpse into the possibilities ahead, and discover why collaboration and innovation remain at the heart of the smart cities movement.

Find out more about the key announcements from YII here, and the winners of this year's Going Digital Awards here.

Edge AI: powering next-generation smart cities

In this special episode of the Smart Cities World Podcast, host Luke Antoniou welcomes Youssef Nadiri, Product and BDM Smart Cities & Spaces for PNY Technologies, to explore one of the most exciting frontiers in urban innovation: edge AI. As cities around the globe race to become smarter, safer, and more responsive, understanding the role of edge AI has never been more important.

The conversation kicks off with a breakdown of what edge AI is – and how it stands apart from both traditional cloud-based AI and general edge computing. Youssef demystifies the technology, explaining how bringing AI computation closer to where data is generated can unlock new levels of efficiency, privacy, and real-time responsiveness for city operations.

But the journey doesn’t stop at definitions. Youssef dives into the practical realities of deploying edge AI in urban environments. Listeners will learn why cities don’t need to overhaul their entire infrastructure to get started, and how incremental, scalable approaches can deliver immediate benefits. From optimising traffic flow and enhancing public safety to improving the daily experience of citizens, edge AI is already making a tangible impact.

The episode also tackles some of the most pressing questions facing city leaders and urban planners today. How can municipalities ensure data privacy and security as they adopt new technologies? What should they look for in technology partners to guarantee robust, future-proof solutions? And how can digital twins and AI Centres of Excellence help cities not only manage their own operations, but also foster economic growth for local businesses and startups?

Throughout the discussion, you’ll hear real-world examples, strategic advice, and forward-looking ideas that will inspire anyone interested in the future of cities.

To find out more about Youssef and PNY's edge AI work for smart cities, click here.

To download the SmartCitiesWorld Edge AI Trend Report, click here – or to see our panel discussion on the topic, featuring Youssef, click here.

Exploring Sunderland’s smart city connectivity credentials

In this episode of the SmartCitiesWorld podcast, we’re dive into the smart city work of Sunderland. Our guests, Liz St. Louis, Director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, and David Conway, Director of Technical Services at Sunderland University, give us an exclusive look at Sunderland's journey to create ubiquitous connectivity across the city.

Sunderland's primary goal as a smart city is to leverage digital infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for its residents, making it a fantastic place to live, work, and play. We discover how aim to provide inclusive services and ensure that no one is left behind on their smart city journey, and how this is reflected in David’s work at the University, creating equal access to education and leveraging technology for research and student experience.

We hear about the city’s efforts to form strategic partnerships with organisations both locally and globally, and how the council ensures that the partnerships it forms will truly serve the local community.

The podcast highlights how the digital fabric underlying the city's initiatives extends to various sectors, contributing to sustainability, the digital economy, and creating a connected and efficient city.

Flexibility is a key part of achieving Sunderland’s smart city roadmap, with a focus on real-world problem-solving and staying open to new opportunities. We discover how the council is aiming to impact various fields, from health to education and beyond, making a tangible difference in people's lives.

For more smart cities news and developments, become a member of SmartCitiesWorld today.

How to transform digital public service infrastructure

In our latest episode of the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast, senior editor Luke Antoniou speaks with Hong-Eng Koh, Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist for Huawei’s Enterprise Business Group.

With more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in public sector operations and ICT applications, Mr Koh is particularly well placed to explain how digital transformation at government level can drive forward digital public services and the digital economy for governments at all levels, from cities to central.

Here, we discover why digital public service infrastructure is the root of smart city offerings, what this type of infrastructure encompasses, and the need for incremental improvements. Beyond this, we also speak to Mr Koh about how the different development paths and processes that exist in each individual city shape the approach that governments must take to overhauling digital public service infrastructure, as well as the role that Huawei plays in supporting these efforts.

We’re introduced to a number of leading case study examples of digital public service infrastructure transformation during the conversation, from ranging from the Spanish city of Alicante and its more than 8 million visitors each year, to Dubai and its role as a leader in digital public services.

Beyond technology requirements, we also hear from Mr Koh on the eight common factors that should shape all digital public service infrastructure development paths, beginning with leadership and vision, and ending with the need to build a wider technology ecosystem, via data strategy, security and sovereignty.

You can find more from Mr Koh in his latest opinion for SmartCitiesWorld on digital public service infrastructure here.

For more information from Huawei, take a look at their whitepaper on Public Services Digital Infrastructure.

About Hong-Eng Koh

As a former Singapore Government official and subsequently leading the implementation of the first generation Singapore’s nationwide mega e-government project, Hong-Eng Koh has more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in public sector operations and ICT applications. Before joining Huawei in 2016, he spent 16 years in Oracle on various regional and global leadership roles in the government, education and healthcare segments. Throughout his career, Hong-Eng has been involved in the transformation of public sector agencies in 70-plus countries. He has also authored various papers on the digital transformation of the public sector, even resulting in the development of corresponding solutions. Hong-Eng is widely recognised internationally and has received various awards. He is a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator.

Re-evaluating smart cities for a joined-up future

What is a smart city? It’s a question that has been asked time and time again, and with a definition that has shifted significantly in recent years, it’s one that doesn’t always have a firm answer.

In this episode of the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Dymond, Founder and Director of digital capacity-building agency Unfolding, and Academic Director of the Smart Cities Management Programme at Zigurat, to re-assess what smart cities are in today’s context, and how the taxonomy for developing smart city strategy must now extend to include tech, environment, and people all at once.

There’s also discussion of how the cities and local authorities can begin to unpick bad habits and break down siloes through digital transformation, along with the need to strike a tricky balancing act between upskilling workers for a digital future without adding to digital inclusivity challenges as a public sector employer.

Listen to our latest episode now and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

For more information about Unfolding, Sheffield Digital or the Zigurat Smart Cities Management Programme, use the links below:

https://www.unfolding.co.uk/

https://sheffield.digital/

https://www.e-zigurat.com/en/smart-cities-masters-program/

In conversation with Marc Hannis, Ofwat

Marc talks about why Ofwat introduced the Innovation Fund and its aims to accelerate innovation in the water sector, which has historically been more risk-averse and slower to innovate than others. 

He explains how a central pillar of its efforts to drive innovation are Ofwat’s competitions and challenges, which have seen the regulator invest £60m into 40 projects so far. He talks about some of the individual projects and how he is keen to address the gap for more early stage innovation.

One of his aims is to promote greater collaboration outside of the sector to remove the insularity of only looking internally for solutions. He talks about his hopes for the £4m Water Discovery Challenge, which aims to attract innovators working in cities and transport to help tackle challenges at a critical time for his sector.

Ofwat are one of the many organisations speaking during the Cities Climate Action Summit, 18-20 April. To find out more, head to: https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/cities-climate-action-summit-2023

 

Information accurate at time of recording, 6/3/23

How cities can tackle their biggest challenges through partnership

The latest podcast from SmartCitiesWorld sees editor Luke Antoniou welcome Venturous Group’s Benson Tam and Arup’s Michael Kwok to talk all things collaborative in city technology.

Together, there’s discussion of the role that Venturous Group and Arup are playing – both together and individually – in driving forward a partnership model to help develop smarter cities. This includes understanding of the state of play within Venturous Group’s citytech network, and insight into the development of the Neuron smart building platform – itself a joint venture between Arup and Venturous Group.

Further, we find out about the importance of scalability and right-sizing solutions for adoption by different types of organisations, whether they’re cities or private-sector owned and operated entities that have many of the same needs as modern cities.

There’s also discussion of the next steps for the smart city concept and vision, and how citizens themselves will be able to personalise their own city experiences based on individual preference, based on the technology that can be created and adopted within a city context through new partnerships.

For more on Venturous Group’s work, both with Arup and its other citytech partners, download the SmartCitiesWorld Shenzhen City Profile, which includes more case studies on how Venturous Group is supporting the advancement of city technology.