In the 21st century, the concept of a “smart city” is more than just a buzzword or an ideology, it’s a necessity. With the increasing and unpredictable demands of urbanization, individuals from the public and private sectors are turning to emerging technology to tackle the many implications of a growing urban sprawl. From the Big Apple to a desert metropolis, smart cities around the world are innovating solutions to problems like overcrowding, congestion and pollution in order to make urban life as efficient as possible.

This month, CNN’s ‘Innovative Cities‘ explores how these solutions — both big and small — use technology like cloud computing, blockchain solutions, biometrics and artificial intelligence to revolutionize city life as we know it.

Highlights of the 30-minute special include:

Hangzhou, China: Alibaba slashes congestion in its hometown

For residents in Hangzhou, highway traffic was more than just a headache, it was once a major factor affecting future economic growth. A new software system — the City Brain, by Alibaba — uses artificial intelligence and cloud computing to ease road congestion on this Chinese megacity’s gridlock.

London, U.K: Artificial Intelligence in Hospitals

DigitalHealth.London has backed over 100 medically-focused companies that are developing innovative new technology to improve the NHS — a public healthcare system that provides free healthcare to millions in the United Kingdom. One company, Q doctor, is helping reduce waiting room traffic by connecting patients and doctors via smartphones, and another start-up, Skin Analytics, is developing artificial intelligence that is able to help identify skin cancer in its earliest stages.

New York, U.S.: Clean Energy Trading through Blockchain

New York has one of the highest energy consumption rates in the world, but the city has an ambitious plan to go green soon — and some of the city’s biggest green initiatives come from within the community. LO3 is a start-up that allows users to share solar power that they collect with others in their community. If one neighbor has more solar power than they need, they can use what is called the Brooklyn Microgrid to share it with a neighbor who needs more. The energy sharing system aims to reduce non-renewable energy consumption by using green energy at a local level.

Johannesburg, South Africa: Smart Initiatives from Citizens

Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city, and a new digital innovation hub — the Tshimologong Precinct — proves that it may soon also be the smartest. Here, CNN meets with local innovators who are using technology and innovation to solve some of the city’s most prominent social problems.

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Classroom of the Future

An Abu Dhabi-based start-up, Alef Education, is completely transforming schools across the city. The program uses artificial intelligence to teach common school subjects — such as math and science — to students using interactive technology, games, and videos. The program is able to register a student’s understanding of topics in real-time and adapt its teaching method accordingly.

‘Innovative Cities’ is produced by CNN Vision, the global production powerhouse of CNN International, which brings the world’s breath-taking diversity into cinematic focus, telling stories that inspire audiences around the world.

‘Innovative Cities’ microsite: https://cnn.it/2CLvvYY 
‘Innovative Cities’ trailer: https://cnn.it/2FL4C7V 
‘Innovative Cities’ images: https://bit.ly/2U7r854

Website:www.cnnvision.com 
Instagram: @cnnvision

Airtimes for 30-minute special:

Saturday, 6^th April at 2030 HKT and 2330 HKT 
Sunday, 7^th April at 0430 HKT and 1030 HKT  
Monday, 8^th April at 0830 HKT and 1630 HKT 
Wednesday, 10^th April at 0030 HKT