Istanbul, Turkey — By 2050, the population of the world’s cities is expected to double from the World Bank’s current estimate of 4.4 billion people, according to research by Stanford University.
Modern citizens are increasingly dissatisfied with urban living characterized by overcrowding, noise pollution, environmental challenges, poor infrastructure, inadequate responses to severe weather events, traffic gridlocks, and more. The future of urban life needs to be smarter.
To explore this further, here is an exclusive interview with Sam Wiffen, director and founder of Reveal and a global thought leader in underground asset and utility management at the Smart Cities Council.
What is the future of urban development in green planning, inclusive cities, and digitization?
For green planning, the subsurface is transformative. Stormwater management, through underground systems, can prevent flooding and free up surface areas for parks or pedestrian zones. Efficient water retention and use are vital for sustaining green spaces.
Inclusive cities are about democratizing access by providing decision-makers, communities, and engineers with accurate underground utility information. This reduces inequalities in how infrastructure is planned and maintained.
Digitization ties these elements together. Imagine an AI-driven model predicting utility network failures or identifying conflicts between new developments and existing underground infrastructure.
What urban adjustments are needed to support EVs and hybrids?
The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles is driving the need to rethink urban infrastructure. Surface charging stations alone won’t suffice, especially in dense urban areas. Building sustainable subsurface charging networks in underground parking facilities will be essential for future-proof mobility.
Underground power grids can also reduce energy losses compared to above-ground systems while maintaining a cleaner and more uncluttered cityscape. As energy networks shift from centralized to distributed systems, this adjustment becomes a crucial consideration in long-term planning.
Severe weather events and the associated risks to energy networks are already influencing large-scale underground projects, both current and planned.
What infrastructure investments and legislative reforms are needed for mobility innovations?
Countries like Japan are already incorporating underground pipelines and storage systems to safely integrate hydrogen, a promising fuel for decarbonizing transportation, into cities. However, transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen distribution networks remains cost-prohibitive today.
From a legislative standpoint, policies should incentivize underground battery storage and energy grids, particularly in high-density areas. The challenge lies in balancing upfront costs with long-term benefits.
What are the expectations for sea and air travel in terms of sustainable mobility?
Sustainability in sea travel begins at ports. Underground hydrogen and biofuel storage, such as green hydrogen facilities in Rotterdam, can power cleaner ships while preserving surface areas for logistics.
When air travel is concerned, airports and their surrounding cities should invest in systems for biofuel distribution or hydrogen storage. These measures can minimize surface impacts while preparing airports for a cleaner fuel future.
Although the technology exists in isolated applications, global implementation requires extensive collaboration among governments, industries, and cities.
How far are we from autonomous mobility becoming the norm?
Autonomous mobility depends on robust digital infrastructure. Fiber networks, utility corridors, and digital twins of roadways are essential for ensuring connected vehicles operate safely and efficiently. Without accurate and resilient data, even minor disruptions could destabilize an autonomous system.
While the technology is ready, widespread adoption is still 10 to 15 years away. Current road repair, utility construction, and vertical development projects significantly disrupt road corridors, complicating the integration of autonomous vehicles.
What is the role of the digital citizen in smart city development?
Digital citizens play a central role in smart city functionality. Residents who can access real-time data on their water and energy usage—and compare it to neighborhood or city averages—are more likely to adopt sustainable behaviors and become active participants in urban development.
By connecting smart building systems to citizen-facing platforms, cities can bridge the gap between infrastructure and the communities they serve. However, system and network data must be accurate, accessible, and presented in ways that empower informed decision-making at all levels.
What role do technologies and AI play in urban development planning?
Urban planning is increasingly reliant on predictive models, with AI at its core. Subsurface digital twins allow planners to simulate potential utility failures or flood risks, addressing problems before they occur.
AI also facilitates the integration of subsurface systems with surface infrastructure, reducing costs and environmental impacts. However, AI’s effectiveness depends on the accuracy of the data it is trained on.
One of the greatest opportunities lies in integrating data across multiple domains—mobility, energy, housing, and more. AI can analyze these interconnected systems in ways that humans cannot, revolutionizing how cities grow and adapt.
