People-Centred Smart Cities: Technology Must Serve Citizens

Bogotá, Colombia, was selected by UN-Habitat as the official host city for World Cities Day 2025—the United Nations’ flagship event on sustainable urbanism.

The heartbeat of modern urban life is increasingly digital – from traffic sensors and early warning systems to participatory planning platforms and geospatial data, technology is changing how cities are designed, managed, and experienced.

Yet, amid this rapid transformation, one question rises above all: how can innovation truly serve people as urban populations continue to grow?

This question lies at the heart of this year’s World Cities Day, celebrated in Bogotá, Colombia, under the theme People-Centred Smart Cities.

Organized by the UN’s urban agency, UN-Habitat, the event brings together mayors, urban experts, and community leaders from around the world to explore how data, design, and digital tools can build communities that are not only smarter, but also fairer, greener, and more inclusive.

By 2050, nearly 70 per cent of humanity is expected to live in urban areas, intensifying demands for housing, services, and climate resilience.

In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that innovation must close gaps, not widen them.

“A truly smart city puts people first, especially the most vulnerable,” Mr. Guterres said. “When we place people at the centre, digital innovation can help drive fairness and sustainability for all.”

Bogotá’s urban experiment

Bogotá has gained global recognition for combining technology with citizen engagement. From TransMilenio, its influential bus rapid transit system, to Ciclovía, which transforms streets into car-free community spaces every Sunday, the city demonstrates how urban design can foster social connection and sustainability.

Elkin Velásquez, UN-Habitat’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said Bogotá offers a compelling example of how data and dialogue can shape better urban futures.

“The global observance here will foster international dialogue on people-centred smart cities — where technology enhances quality of life and strengthens community bonds,” he said.

Listening to the city

Carlo Ratti, architect, engineer, and director of the MIT Senseable City Lab, highlighted that cities must evolve beyond the notion of the “smart city” toward what he calls the “senseable city.”

“I’m not fond of the term ‘smart city,’” Mr. Ratti said. “It often implies a top-down system guided by technology alone. Cities must first and foremost be about people — responsive, inclusive, and adaptive. A ‘senseable city’ uses technology not for its own sake, but to better listen to and serve its citizens.”

For Mr. Ratti, Bogotá embodies this spirit. Projects like TransMilenio and Ciclovía have become global case studies, showing how local interventions, when scaled, can shift urban trajectories.

He also emphasized sustainability: “In terms of energy and circularity, a tree is still much smarter than any building we can design.”

A people-centred vision

Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, said Bogotá exemplifies a people-centred smart city.

“Programs like Ecobarrios and Mi Casa focus on resilience and sustainability, while digital initiatives such as Chatico, a virtual agent, help citizens access public services and participate in consultations,” she said.

World Cities Day concludes Urban October, UN-Habitat’s month-long campaign for sustainable and inclusive urbanization. This year’s observance in Bogotá seeks to leave a legacy of collaboration, learning, and commitment to a more equitable urban future.

As digital tools become increasingly embedded in urban life, the challenge for cities remains clear: smart solutions must remain human-centred.