The seventh Iran Smart Cities Exhibition and Conference is scheduled to take place in Tehran, starting on October 31 and running until November 2. The event coincides with World Cities Day and will gather experts and stakeholders in the field of smart urban space development.
Main Focus Areas of the Conference
This year's conference focuses on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of urban management. Topics include AI in ensuring urban security and crisis management, AI in public health and citizen well-being, AI-driven governance, and the smart economy. Themes such as AI in ecology and sustainable energy, citizen participation, and the provision of smart public services will also be discussed, according to the IRNA agency.
The goal of the exhibition is to improve the quality of life in both urban and rural areas, as well as support the sustainable development of smart cities. The event plans to showcase the latest innovations in the smart city sector, present new concepts in urban design and structure, study construction challenges, and develop scientific solutions. Furthermore, participants will have the opportunity to establish cooperation with other countries and utilize successful smart city experiences.
The event will serve as an important platform for exchanging experience among urban planners, industrialists, scientists, and knowledge-based companies, thereby strengthening their interaction. The deadline for article submissions is October 20.
World Cities Day
World Cities Day is observed annually on October 31 and was first established in 2014. Like World Habitat Day, this global event is held in different cities each year, focusing on a specific theme.
The main objective of this day is to raise international awareness about urbanization trends related to challenges, as well as visions for sustainable urban development. It promotes international cooperation and contributes to global efforts to create fair, prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive cities that provide their residents with an improved living environment and quality of life.
On October 31, the Global celebration of World Cities Day will take place in Fuzhou, China, under the slogan 'City Regeneration: Adequate Housing for All'. The 2026 events will focus on urban regeneration as a catalyst for achieving adequate housing for all, as well as how neighborhood-level regeneration, combined with housing and informal settlement strategies, can create more inclusive and climate-resilient neighborhoods.
Cities worldwide face interconnected difficulties, including housing affordability issues, aging neighborhoods and infrastructure, underutilization of urban land, climate change risks, and growing social inequality. According to the 2026 World Cities Day Conceptual Note, up to 3.4 billion people lack access to adequate housing, secure tenure, basic services, or affordable living conditions. Urban regeneration offers an opportunity to address these problems by improving existing urban areas while simultaneously expanding access to adequate housing and ensuring no one is left behind.
The 2026 theme emphasizes the need for comprehensive approaches linking affordable housing with improvements in public space, infrastructure, connectivity, and climate resilience. Special attention is given to community-involved regeneration, as well as protective measures that can prevent resident displacement and ensure that existing inhabitants benefit from improvements to their homes and neighborhoods.
In 2026, World Cities Day will provide a platform for national and local governments, United Nations bodies, international organizations, academia, the private sector, and communities to exchange experiences, demonstrate innovative practices, and identify practical solutions. The official program structure for 2026 is scheduled from October 31 to November 2, 2026, at the Fuzhou Bay International Convention & Exhibition Center and includes an opening ceremony, thematic forums, side events, exhibitions, and city tours.
