Every year on October 31, the world celebrates World Cities Day 2025, a global initiative by the United Nations to promote sustainable urban development and enhance the quality of life for all city dwellers. The theme for 2025 — “People-Centred Smart Cities” — emphasizes putting citizens at the heart of urban planning, design, and governance.
As urban areas continue to expand, cities face mounting challenges including overcrowding, pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and social inequality. This year’s theme underlines the importance of integrating technology and innovation not merely for efficiency, but for inclusivity and equity. A truly smart city is not defined solely by digital infrastructure or automated systems — it’s one that listens to its residents, prioritizes accessibility, and fosters community well-being.
People-centred cities encourage green mobility options such as cycling and electric transport, enhance open public spaces, and promote renewable energy use, as depicted by the wind turbines and greenery in the visual. These measures not only improve urban resilience but also help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
World Cities Day serves as a reminder that the future of urbanization lies in collaboration — between citizens, planners, and policymakers. By placing people at the core of city systems, we can build sustainable, inclusive, and livable cities for generations to public.
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