# Cities | Research | Envisioning Source: https://www.envisioning.com/research/cities --- --- 1. [Home](https://www.envisioning.com) 2. [Research](https://www.envisioning.com/research) 3. Cities --- Cities # Urban Innovation & Smart Cities Cities is Envisioning's applied foresight program for municipal teams, delivering decision-ready intelligence across infrastructure, mobility, and climate resilience. [Back to research](/research)[Launch project](/cities/home) Tracking signals shaping the future of urban innovation and smart cities — urban technologies, smart infrastructure, planning systems, and sustainable city development. [![Cities](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fresearch%2Fhero%2Fcities.webp&w=3840&q=75)](/cities/home) ## Our Work - Research database tracking urban technologies, smart infrastructure, planning systems, and sustainable city development. - Each signal assessed for readiness and mapped across categories. - Continuously updated with emerging developments. ## Technologies / Sort Best matchTitleTRL ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719395510-3d-printed-architecture.png) Hardware 3D Printed Architecture Large-scale 3D printers that construct buildings layer by layer from digital designs Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/3d-printed-architecture](/research/cities/3d-printed-architecture) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1759845903-6g.png) Hardware 6G Mobile Network Next-generation wireless networks using terahertz spectrum for ultra-fast, intelligent urban connectivity Technology Readiness Level 3/9 Diffusion of Innovation 1/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/6g-mobile-network](/research/cities/6g-mobile-network) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792661-active-monitoring-drone.png) Hardware Active Monitoring Drone Autonomous drones that collect real-time data on urban infrastructure, traffic, and environmental conditions Technology Readiness Level 8/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/active-monitoring-drone](/research/cities/active-monitoring-drone) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719220280-adaptable-floating-station.png) Hardware Adaptable Floating Station Repurposed shipping containers that float and deliver housing, healthcare, or education during floods Technology Readiness Level 6/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/adaptable-floating-station](/research/cities/adaptable-floating-station) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718794403-advanced-metering-infrastructure.png) Hardware Advanced Metering Infrastructure Real-time utility monitoring networks that track electricity, water, and gas consumption across cities Technology Readiness Level 9/9 Diffusion of Innovation 4/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/advanced-metering-infrastructure](/research/cities/advanced-metering-infrastructure) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718791974-aerial-urban-gondola.png) Hardware Aerial Urban Gondola Cable-suspended transit system that moves passengers above street-level traffic Technology Readiness Level 9/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/aerial-urban-gondola](/research/cities/aerial-urban-gondola) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792603-ai-mentor.png) Software AI Mentor Personalized AI-driven guidance for education, career development, and public services in urban contexts Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/ai-mentor](/research/cities/ai-mentor) ![Applications](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719309230-ancestral-intelligence.png) Applications Ancestral Intelligence Integrating Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices with modern urban planning tools Technology Readiness Level 8/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/ancestral-intelligence](/research/cities/ancestral-intelligence) ![Applications](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1725958264-ar-workforce-assistance.png) Applications AR Workforce Assistance Overlays digital instructions and data onto workers' field of view via smart glasses or mobile devices Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/ar-workforce-assistance](/research/cities/ar-workforce-assistance) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792166-artificially-intelligent-governor.png) Software Artificially Intelligent Governor AI system that analyzes urban data to optimize city operations and governance decisions Technology Readiness Level 5/9 Diffusion of Innovation 1/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/artificially-intelligent-governor](/research/cities/artificially-intelligent-governor) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718900195-envisioning-io_digital_documents_contracts_stamped_with_digital_65f6bd78-3025-4384-8e51-311538d13b40.png) Software Automated Compliance AI-powered systems that monitor and enforce urban regulations in real-time Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/automated-compliance](/research/cities/automated-compliance) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792250-autonomous-maintenance-software.png) Software Autonomous Maintenance Software AI-driven software that monitors, diagnoses, and repairs urban infrastructure autonomously Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/autonomous-maintenance-software](/research/cities/autonomous-maintenance-software) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792897-autonomous-sustainability-monitoring.png) Software Autonomous Sustainability Monitoring Real-time sensor networks and AI tracking air quality, energy use, and waste across cities Technology Readiness Level 6/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/autonomous-sustainability-monitoring](/research/cities/autonomous-sustainability-monitoring) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792384-biobased-materials.png) Hardware Biobased Materials Construction materials derived from renewable biological sources like plants, fungi, and agricultural waste Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/biobased-materials](/research/cities/biobased-materials) ![Applications](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718787026-biomimicry.png) Applications Biomimicry Applying nature's patterns and strategies to solve urban design and infrastructure challenges Technology Readiness Level 6/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/biomimicry](/research/cities/biomimicry) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719485371-bladeless-wind-turbine.png) Hardware Bladeless Wind Turbine Oscillating structures that harvest wind energy through vibration instead of rotating blades Technology Readiness Level 5/9 Diffusion of Innovation 1/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/bladeless-wind-turbine](/research/cities/bladeless-wind-turbine) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719222425-building-information-modelling.png) Software Building Information Modelling Digital 3D models that coordinate building design, construction, and operations across all project stakeholders Technology Readiness Level 9/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 3/4 [/research/cities/building-information-modelling](/research/cities/building-information-modelling) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719310320-candidate-matching.png) Software Candidate Matching Algorithms that match voters to candidates based on policy preferences and values Technology Readiness Level 8/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/candidate-matching](/research/cities/candidate-matching) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792777-carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage.png) Hardware Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Captures CO₂ from industry and power plants for reuse or underground storage Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage](/research/cities/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719311529-carbon-cement-supercapacitor.png) Hardware Carbon-Cement Supercapacitor Concrete infused with carbon black to store electrical energy in buildings and infrastructure Technology Readiness Level 4/9 Diffusion of Innovation 1/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/carbon-cement-supercapacitor](/research/cities/carbon-cement-supercapacitor) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719328973-cement-recycling.png) Hardware Cement Recycling Reprocessing used cement in electric arc furnaces to cut carbon emissions in construction Technology Readiness Level 6/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/cement-recycling](/research/cities/cement-recycling) ![Hardware](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792643-circular-battery.png) Hardware Circular Battery Batteries designed for reuse, refurbishment, and recycling to minimize waste and resource extraction Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/circular-battery](/research/cities/circular-battery) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1718792368-cloud-connected-supply-chain.png) Software Cloud-Connected Supply Chain Real-time supply chain coordination via cloud platforms connecting manufacturers to consumers Technology Readiness Level 8/9 Diffusion of Innovation 3/5 Technology Life Cycle 2/4 [/research/cities/cloud-connected-supply-chain](/research/cities/cloud-connected-supply-chain) ![Software](https://www.datocms-assets.com/134194/1719398109-cognitive-twin.png) Software Cognitive Twin AI-powered digital model of a city that simulates scenarios and predicts outcomes for planning Technology Readiness Level 7/9 Diffusion of Innovation 2/5 Technology Life Cycle 1/4 [/research/cities/cognitive-twin](/research/cities/cognitive-twin) Load more (75 remaining) ## Turn this hub into a team session Take one of these hubs into a working session with our analysts and turn it into a decision. 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Sign up Browse the latest from Artificial Insights, our opinionated weekly briefing exploring the transition toward [AGI](https://envisioning.ai/AGI+(Artificial+General+Intelligence)). ![Aug 24, 2026 · Issue 145](https://res.cloudinary.com/envisioning/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto:best/v1787597428/hzrsjpxn2jxag8k4ruuy.png) Aug 24, 2026 · Issue 145 The Country of the Future [/newsletter/145-the-country-of-the-future](/newsletter/145-the-country-of-the-future) ![Aug 10, 2026 · Issue 144](https://res.cloudinary.com/envisioning/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto:best/v1786371190/az6kgat0wnzvgf89ehsy.png) Aug 10, 2026 · Issue 144 Indistinguishable from Magic [/newsletter/144-indistinguishable-from-magic](/newsletter/144-indistinguishable-from-magic) ![Jul 27, 2026 · Issue 143](https://res.cloudinary.com/envisioning/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto:best/v1785141074/qexku3lbuvvmmz3tx6l2.png) Jul 27, 2026 · Issue 143 This Is Fine [/newsletter/143-this-is-fine](/newsletter/143-this-is-fine) [View all issues](/newsletter)