IN: Nagaland among four states to complete all Smart Cities Mission projects
Nagaland joins four states to complete all Smart Cities Mission projects, with Kohima finishing 40 works worth INR 689 crore.
Nagaland is among four states and Union territories in the country—along with Chandigarh, Jharkhand, and Tripura—to have completed all projects sanctioned under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), according to the latest update by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
As of December 1, 2025, all 40 projects undertaken in Kohima under the mission, with a total outlay of INR 689 crore, have been completed. Kohima was selected under the Smart Cities Mission at its inception on June 25, 2015.
How smart cities evolve to meet 2030 goals for a sustainable future
The concept of a "smart city" has evolved significantly over the past two decades. What began around 2005 as a tech-focused display of digital infrastructure, IoT, and urban data has matured into a multidimensional, systemic vision. This early approach, while innovative, sparked criticism for its technocratic view, treating cities as collections of technical problems rather than living, complex systems. It also threatened to become invasive regarding mass surveillance and data privacy. Many pilot projects failed to scale, lacking context and integration with legacy systems, and often excluded citizens from planning.
As a result, emphasis has now shifted from technology as the driver to technology as an enabler of more livable, resilient and just urban environments. This reimagined "smart" approach necessitates system-thinking, moving beyond isolated technological fixes to integrated strategies that harness real-time data for adaptive governance, enhanced climate resilience in urban planning, inclusive growth, and collaborative policymaking. It also demands human-centered innovation, ensuring that technology serves human needs by designing systems that are inclusive, ethical and responsive to the complex realities of urban life, rather than imposing top-down solutions.
QA: Smart City Solutions project first phase implemented
As part of its efforts to humanise cities and improve urban services, the Ministry of Municipality (MoM) implemented the first phase of the Smart City Solutions Project, marking a significant step forward in Qatar’s journey towards smarter, more sustainable and people-centred urban development.
The initiative reflects the Ministry’s broader 2025 achievements, which focused on improving quality of life, protecting the environment and accelerating digital transformation across the country.
Smart cities bet on AI efficiency, governance still catching up
The study identifies responsible AI as being most visible in conceptual and policy-oriented research, addressing issues such as algorithmic transparency, accountability, bias, and trust. These discussions emphasize the need for explainable decision-making, inclusive design, and ethical oversight. However, they are often disconnected from the technical architectures that drive real-world circular economy applications.
Cities are rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into sustainability and efficiency strategies, betting on data-driven systems to modernize urban infrastructure. The pressure now is to ensure those systems strengthen trust and equity rather than trade accountability for performance as cities pursue circular economy goals.
Sustainable Smart Cities: 5 Cities That Are Improving Europe
From sustainable transportation to renewable energy sources, discover how major European cities are becoming smart cities, putting city technology and innovation at the service of the environment and citizens.
European cities are undergoing a quiet but profound transformation: from simple places to live and work, they are becoming intelligent ecosystems where technology, data, and innovation enhance daily life.