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Travel Daily News
27-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
The most accessible smart cities for modern travellers
The Global Accessibility Index selects the highest-rated cities from the 2025 IMD Smart City Index to reveal the most accessible smart cities. As summer travel ramps up, the importance of accessible cities takes centre stage. With millions of people planning vacations, festivals, and outdoor events, ensuring that urban spaces are accessible for individuals with disabilities is essential. With this in mind, the organisation behind the Smart City Expo World Congress event has revealed the 25 most accessible smart cities to demonstrate if smart cities are, in fact, accessible. Experts selected the highest-rated cities from the 2025 IMD Smart City Index and then analysed if residents receive support to adapt their homes, the number of adapted tube stations, the number of accessible tourist attractions and the number of adapted hotels and properties. In addition, the analysis also shares the apps available for those with disabilities so they can move around the city as freely as possible. Shanghai and Singapore rank as the most accessible cities among those evaluated in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, each scoring over 80 points on Global Accessibility Index. They are not the only Chinese cities in the ranking because Hong Kong and Beijing also appear in the top ten. All these Chinese cities are also known for being major tourist destinations. European cities perform well in terms of accessibility, holding half the spots in the ranking, with Munich, Amsterdam, Prague, and Stockholm standing out by scoring over 67 points. Only two Australian cities made it into the ranking: Wellington and Canberra. Meanwhile, the modern Arab cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are placed in the lower half of the ranking. The top 5 most accessible smart cities Shanghai, China: In first position and with an overall score of 84.86 out of 100 is Shanghai. All tube stations of Shanghai are adapted, with a further 733 adapted tourist attractions; that's 73% of all attractions in the city. On top of that, the city counts 14 adapted hotels and properties out of 57, making Shanghai one of the best cities to visit freely and without any obstacles this summer. Singapore, Singapore: Singapore is in second position with an overall accessibility score of 81.50 out of 100. Singapore offers its citizens economic support so they can adapt their homes to their needs. Also, if you are looking to discover this new city this summer season, 100% of the city's tube stations are adapted (185), Singapore offers 217 adapted attractions out of a total of 796 and 97 adapted hotels and properties out of 321 available to enjoy. Last but not least, those visiting Singapore can download the app Citymapper to move around the city with all the information and support they might need. Wellington, New Zealand: Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, secures a spot in the top three with an overall accessibility score of 79.12 out of 100. This stunning city is the perfect spot for those who want to enjoy nice weather and scenic views of the most amazing beaches. Wellington has a total of 49 stations, all of them adapted. Moreover, 35 out of its 132 hotels and apartments are adapted. Last but not least, the city offers 38 adapted tourist attractions, making this city one of the perfect places to visit this summer. Munich, Germany: In fourth position, with an overall score of 78.92 out of 100, is the German city of Munich. For those who love to experience the Gothic architecture, this is your perfect destination; Munich has all 100 tube stations adapted, allowing visitors to move freely around the city. 75 out of its 359 hotels and apartments are also adapted, providing several options to choose from. And with almost 42% of its tourist attractions being adapted (317 out of 747), this European city becomes a great option looking to escape over the summer. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Rounding out the top five with an overall accessibility score of 76.51 is Amsterdam, the second European city to appear in the Global Accessibility Index. Amsterdam offers a perfect combination for those who want to enjoy the cafes and restaurants of the city, while also appreciating the culture and art the city has to offer. Amsterdam has 86 tube stations, all of them adapted, and 53% of its tourist attractions are adapted (533 out of 1,000), making Amsterdam a great choice for this summer. Those visiting the city are recommended to download the app Ongehinderd to move more easily and freely around the city. The Global Accessibility Index – A look at the top 25 smart cities and how adapted they are: Methodology The top 25 smart cities were selected based on the Smart City Index from IMD. Information were obtained from each metrics from the following sources: Home Adaptability: Government and Council websites, specific sources available upon request. Number of adapted tube stations – Government and Council websites, specific sources available upon request. Accessible Tourist Attractions – Adapted hotels and properties – All data points have been indexed in order to allow a fair comparison and to obtain the overall accessibility index figure. All the data is correct as of June 2025.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur to support Malaysia's 2040 Smart Nation agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo from Barcelona set to take place this September, aligns with Malaysia's aspiration to become a Smart Nation by 2040, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said SCEKL25 underscored Malaysia's leading role in advancing smart city development anchored by four strategic pillars, namely AI Cities, Sustainable and Resilient Cities, Digital Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and Community Empowerment through Digital Solutions. 'SCEKL25 represents a bold step forward in Malaysia's ambition to become a leading regional digital hub. It sets the stage for transformative conversations about the future of urban innovation,' he said in a statement. Earlier today, Gobind officially launched the 100-day countdown to the expo, which takes place from Sept 17 to 19. Themed 'AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future,' the expo highlights Malaysia's vision for smart, inclusive and sustainable cities. Commenting further, Gobind said that with ASEAN's digital economy on the cusp of exponential growth, the expo offered a unique platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and foster meaningful dialogue on how AI and digital transformation would shape the cities of tomorrow. Meanwhile, in the same statement, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer (CEO) Anuar Fariz Fadzil echoed the sentiment, calling SCEKL25 a catalyst for the smart city revolution in Southeast Asia. He said the initiative reflected the nation's commitment to leading the region in building intelligent, inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities powered by AI, where technology empowers people and drives the next wave of urban transformation The expo, co-organised by the MDEC and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the Ministry of Digital, will bring together global leaders, investors, tech innovators and policymakers to explore how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping urban life across ASEAN.
CairoScene
14-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Dubai Ranks 4th Best Smart City Globally in 2025
Dubai has been named the world's fourth best smart city in the 2025 IMD Index, highlighting its progress in digital governance, smart mobility, and sustainable urban planning. May 13, 2025 Dubai has secured 4th place in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, marking a significant rise in the global ranking and positioning it ahead of cities such as Zurich and Oslo. The annual index, published by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development (IMD), measures how cities use technology to enhance quality of life and urban efficiency. The ranking reflects Dubai's accelerated adoption of smart services across sectors. Digital platforms are now central to everyday life—from healthcare and licensing to civil services—with user satisfaction rates exceeding 84% in online appointment bookings and document processing, according to official data. In transport, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out a series of digital upgrades, including real-time parking systems and citywide bike-sharing networks, placing smart mobility at the core of the city's infrastructure. These innovations contribute to reduced congestion and improved user experience, supporting Dubai's broader goals of urban efficiency. Dubai's smart city agenda also prioritises environmental sustainability. Initiatives like The Sustainable City offer operational models for low-emission communities, integrating renewable energy, waste reduction systems, and green architecture. These projects serve as benchmarks for net-zero development across the region. Looking ahead, Dubai will host the Smart City Expo in November 2025, bringing together policymakers, technologists, and urban designers to explore the future of connected cities. The event aims to foster global dialogue on data-driven planning, inclusive design, and innovation-led governance.
