Transforming Global Urban Landscapes: Insights from TCS 2025 in Shanghai

From September 2 to 6, 2025, Shanghai hosted the Tomorrow.City Shanghai (TCS 2025), an event that brought together global leaders from over 110 cities to discuss the future of urban living. With the central theme of "Challenge and Solution," the event consisted of not only public sessions and exhibitions but also focused field visits, promoting real-time engagement with urban innovations.

The agenda highlighted pressing urban issues, addressing challenges and potential solutions related to sustainability and digital transformation. Close to 300 officials, industry executives, academics, and experts from 25 countries exchanged insights and established lasting cooperations, forming a vital international exchange network. One of the standout elements of TCS 2025 was its matchmaking platform, which facilitated over 517 partnerships, culminating in 122 cooperation intentions and 39 signed contracts worth approximately $120 million.

Building the Future Through Collaboration

A significant landmark at the event was the launch of a large-scale urban transformation initiative, exceeding $1 billion, orchestrated by Tomorrow City Co-Investment Co., Ltd. together with regional partners. This comprehensive effort aims to revitalize various urban sectors across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, marking an exciting phase for Chinese technology firms in driving global smart city advancements.

Among the discussions at TCS 2025, four thematic areas stood out: Tomorrow.Technologies, Tomorrow.Mobility, Tomorrow.Environment, and Tomorrow.Utilities. Collectively, these frameworks encouraged a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and problem-solving, tackling issues such as climate change, healthcare, and energy transitions.

With a total exhibition area of 10,000 m², featuring more than 100 companies, TCS 2025 created a dynamic space for idea exchanges, experience sharing, and industry matchmaking. Notable presentations included a public session on Resilient Cities, which addressed flooding in Southeast Asia and extreme weather in the Middle East, advocating for joint infrastructure projects between governments and private firms.

In addition, the Healthcare and Aging Public Session focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and big data to enhance medical services for seniors. The ambitious Energy Transition session offered insights into managing the dual challenge of rising energy demand and carbon emissions, showcasing successful Chinese models in renewable energy and smart grid technologies.

Pioneering Smart City Frameworks

Significant releases during the event demonstrated China's leadership in governing smart cities. The Caixin Global Institute introduced the world's first Robotics Industry Index, providing vital data for measuring robotics investments and their impact on urban economies. Meanwhile, Fudan University unveiled critical benchmarks for public data licensing, highlighting the importance of transparent governance in advancing smart city initiatives.

The event culminated with nearly 150 delegates visiting city demonstration sites that exemplify smart technologies in healthcare, urban renewal, and artificial intelligence. According to Shan Zhiguang, Director at the National Information Center, “A smart city is not just built; it requires ongoing usage, adjustment, and refinement,” emphasizing the necessity of practical implementation for effective solutions.

Global Partnerships for Sustainable Growth

As part of its global outreach, TCS 2025 unveiled a List of City Challenges and Opportunities, initiating various international forums and closed-door meetings designed to link Chinese enterprises with overseas collaborators. The inception of the Tomorrow.City Community Shanghai marked a pivotal step toward establishing a long-term international network linking over 100 nations. Collaborative projects focusing on green energy, AI, and digital transformation are already in advanced stages of negotiation across multiple regions.

The Green Expansion Global Public Session and various matchmaking events further solidified partnerships aimed at enhancing sustainability across urban environments. Feedback from international leaders highlighted the adaptability of Chinese technologies in diverse contexts, advocating for continued collaboration in the smart city domain.

Rounding off the event, awards recognizing excellence in smart city initiatives underscored the innovative spirit flourishing across Asia.

TCS 2025 was more than just a showcase; it was a significant movement toward implementing changes that challenge conventional urban planning and technological approaches. As emphasized by Wu Zhiqiang, prominent figures in engineering advocated for cooperative efforts between government, industry, and academia to ensure that technological innovations enhance governance and the quality of life for citizens. The outcomes of TCS 2025 are set to influence discussions at the forthcoming Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, paving the way for a more interconnected global smart city future.