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Urban landscapes around the world are being reimagined with sustainability, technology, and innovation at their core. Cities are no longer just expanding horizontally or vertically, they are evolving intelligently, with smart technology. These next-generation spaces will prioritise environmental responsibility, incorporating green energy systems, climate-positive planning, and zero-emission transport. (Image: Shutterstock)
2 / 12Here, cutting-edge architecture meets eco-conscious design, while artificial intelligence and where automation will guide public services and infrastructure. From smart sensors managing city traffic to driverless vehicles and high-speed transit systems, these places will shift towards functionally efficient and sustainable living environments. Parallelly, these spaces are being developed with vertical gardens and energy-generating structures. Some of these projects are exploring possibilities of life in extreme conditions, like on Mars. Take a look at these 10 futuristic places and decide, where would you want to live.
3 / 12No 10. Songdo | Country: South Korea | Songdo is a master-planned smart city built from scratch on reclaimed land, integrating cutting-edge technology into daily life. The city features sensors that monitor everything from traffic flow to waste disposal, aiming to create maximum efficiency and sustainability. With its high-speed connectivity and eco-friendly infrastructure, this is one city that gives us a glimpse into how future urban spaces would function. (Image: Reuters)
4 / 12No 9. Changi Airport | Country: Singapore | Although you can’t live here, Singapore’s Changi Airport is widely considered the most technologically advanced and passenger-friendly airport in the world. With features like automated check-ins, facial recognition, and a sprawling indoor forest, it redefines what airports can offer. It’s not just a transit hub, it’s an immersive experience blending nature, comfort and innovation.
5 / 12No 8. Masdar City | Country: United Arab Emirates | Masdar City was designed as a zero-carbon, zero-waste urban centre using renewable energy sources. Though still under development, it incorporates sustainable architecture, driverless electric vehicles, and energy-efficient technologies. The city stands as a bold experiment in sustainable urban living amidst the desert. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 12No 7. The Eden Project | Country: United Kingdom | The Eden Project is a unique environmental complex housed in massive biomes that replicate diverse global ecosystems. It combines ecology, education and innovation, serving as both a tourist attraction and a hub for sustainability research. The futuristic design and green mission make it a pioneer in eco-conscious architecture. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 12No 6. Neom | Country: Saudi Arabia | Neom is a vast, high-tech city under construction that aims to revolutionise living through artificial intelligence, clean energy, and autonomous transport. Planned to be powered entirely by renewable energy, it also includes “The Line”, a linear smart city with no cars or streets. Neom is Saudi Arabia’s flagship vision for a post-oil, tech-driven economy. (Image: Neom City)
8 / 12No 5. The Mars Science City | Country: United Arab Emirates | The Mars Science City is a prototype of a potential human settlement on Mars, built in the deserts of the UAE. It includes research labs, domes replicating Martian conditions, and facilities to test life-support systems for future space missions. The project combines architecture, space science, and sustainability in one ground-breaking initiative. (Image: Bjarke Ingels Group/CNN)
9 / 12No 4. Shenzhen | Country: China | Shenzhen has rapidly transformed from a fishing village into China’s Silicon Valley, driven by innovation and technology. The city is home to global tech giants and is a testing ground for futuristic infrastructure like facial recognition payment and smart traffic systems. With its commitment to electric vehicles and smart city planning, Shenzhen epitomises urban futurism. (Image: Reuters)
10 / 12No 3. Hyperloop Test track in Nevada | Country: United States | The Hyperloop Test Track in Nevada is where engineers are developing a revolutionary high-speed transportation system using vacuum tubes and magnetic levitation. The aim is to drastically reduce travel times between major cities while maintaining energy efficiency. Though still in its experimental phase, it represents a radical rethinking of mass transit. (Image: Reuters)
11 / 12No 2. Supertree Grove | Country: Singapore | Supertree Grove in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay features towering vertical gardens that are both artistic and functional. These tree-like structures generate solar power, collect rainwater, and help regulate temperature, showcasing sustainability through design. The grove blends technology, ecology, and aesthetics to stunning effect. (Image: Reuters)
12 / 12No 1. Oslo Airport City | Country: Norway | Oslo Airport City is being developed as a climate-positive city adjacent to Norway’s main airport, focusing on green energy and smart mobility. It plans to run entirely on renewable power, integrate autonomous transport, and include energy-positive buildings. With an emphasis on sustainability and innovation, it could become a model for future urban development worldwide.
