Dr. Nyangon Explores People-Centric Strategies for Smart Cities

Dr. Nyangon presented insights at the University of Delaware Symposium on the future of smart cities and sustainable energy. His presentation, titled “New strategies for urban sustainability measurement through common indicators and peer city benchmarking: A people-centric approach to smart city planning,” emphasized the role of democratic governance as a cornerstone of smart city ecosystems, particularly in the global South.

Highlighting the unprecedented growth of urban centers—responsible for over 70% of global energy consumption and roughly 80% of carbon emissions—Dr. Nyangon argued that sustainable development must prioritize both people and infrastructure. He outlined innovative strategies for using common sustainability indicators and peer city benchmarking to guide urban planning, while ensuring policies remain equitable, participatory, and locally adaptable.

Dr. Nyangon also drew attention to global initiatives, including lessons from smart cities like Barcelona, Copenhagen, and Singapore, as well as emerging urban centers in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Small Island Developing States. By integrating smarter energy distribution, transportation, and governance practices, cities can advance climate resilience, economic growth, and overall community well-being.

His talk reaffirmed that the future of urban development lies not only in technology, but in fostering democratic, people-centric approaches that empower communities to thrive sustainably in rapidly changing environments.