Urban intelligence: how AI is changing our cities… for the better

A new chapter in our innovation journey is about to begin! Find out more here. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the world, and cities are no exception. It has the potential to be a powerful tool for both public and private sectors, tackling pressing urban challenges—from decarbonizing mobility to enhancing residents’ quality of life.

• AI could usher in cities that are not just smarter but also more resilient and livable for all, by “encouraging [...] the inclusion of individual experience in the design of the city”, writes UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme). For instance, before conducting new developments, urban planners can now simulate how sunlight, views, or tree positioning can affect resident comfort. And in Los Angeles, AI-powered streetlights are now able to adjust their brightness in reaction to the presence of pedestrians or cars – an efficient way to boost safety and comfort in the public space, while cutting energy consumption by 70%.
• AI can also help optimize the use of energy and natural resources in cities. One example: the deployment of smart meters equipped with IoT sensors, providing cities with real-time data to improve energy management and reduce operational costs. In 2012, Barcelona implemented nearly 20,000 of these smart meters to monitor and control irrigation and water levels in city parks. The result: a 25% rise in water conservation, and annual cost savings of $500,000+. But AI can also help save energy at the building level: in smart buildings, real-time sensors are now able to collect data that can help operators optimize performance. As AI in construction specialist Dr. Svenja Lauble (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)) told us: “this means improved energy management, distribution, storage and also redistribution in the event of surplus photovoltaic production, for example.”
• Just as in public spaces, AI can enhance user comfort in buildings. For instance, 'continuous analysis using AI monitors air quality and adjusts ventilation accordingly, positively impacting occupants' health,' notes Dr. Svenja Lauble. 'It can also personalize the indoor environment by learning occupants’ preferences—such as temperature, lighting, and noise—while enhancing safety and detecting anomalies.
• AI can also promote more sustainable urban mobility by providing accurate public transport demand forecasts, supporting better transit planning. Additionally, data-powered mobility platforms enable users to access real-time information on available transport options, making public transit more convenient. AI further facilitates intermodality—seamlessly integrating multiple modes of transport in a single journey—with algorithms now generating precise travel estimates to help connect bike-sharing systems with other transportation modes. The bottom line? AI is making low-carbon transport options easier to use—and therefore, more appealing.
• Cities worldwide are also using AI to tackle their biggest challenge: traffic congestion. By analyzing data from traffic cameras and mobile devices, AI can now predict traffic patterns for both vehicles and pedestrians, allowing cities to adjust traffic control accordingly. In Spain, Barcelona has implemented AI-driven traffic lights equipped with sensors and algorithms that optimize traffic flow in real time. The result? A 30% reduction in congestion—and significantly shorter travel times.
• Beyond improving our cities today, AI can also inspire us to imagine what they may look like in the future. This is the goal of the invitation we extended to AI creators Hedy Magroun , Aurélien Pakula-Rayssac-Baures , Stéphane Munnier , and Sandramaria ?San” Schweda to envision global cities in 2050, based on prompts we provided. The goal: to explore, through immersive video formats, how AI pictures the possible futures of architecture and construction – and to compare this vision with our expertise! From European eco-districts to West African skyscrapers, discover these “7 visions of the future” here… and see how our experts reacted. From improving urban infrastructure to imagining the streets of tomorrow, AI could well prove a crucial tool in creating more sustainable cities – and in making the world a better home!

Innovation station

Say hello to T21, a groundbreaking 6,000 m2 extension to our historic research center in Aubervilliers, France!

• ?Connected to the century-old research center by walkways and surrounded by a 16,000 m2 park, T21 provides Saint-Gobain Research Paris , one of our eight cross-disciplinary research centers across the globe, with exciting new research capabilities.
• Developed in collaboration with Spie batignolles , enia architectes , PAYET , and A.R.T. Réalisations , T21 features 1,200 m2 of advanced laboratory space and some of our most high-performance techniques and materials, combined with a human-centric and environmentally friendly design.
• A new chapter in our innovation journey is about to begin! Find out more here.

Window to the future

All over the world, cities are transforming underused sites into exemplary, zero-carbon and inclusive projects. In Milan, the C40 Cities Reinventing Cities Competition has just crowned three projects that do just that!

• Like many dense cities, Milan faces significant challenges, from heat islands to land and green space scarcity, air pollution, and flood risks. To solve these problems, the city is actively promoting sustainable construction, local cooperation, and the development of affordable social and student housing. From a carbon-negative district in a former abattoir, to a zero-carbon social housing project in an old marshalling yard, discover how Milan is changing the urban recycling game!

Can you guess?

SageGlass ’s innovative dynamic glazing technology is widely valued by professionals for its energy performance. But there’s one thing architects were more reserved about…?

• …and that’s its blue tint. That’s why we’ve just introduced a major style upgrade. After five years of development, RealTone? achieves a more neutral aesthetic while maintaining SageGlass’ durability. The result? Clearer views, true-to-life colors, and, as always, no need for blinds or shades!
• Take a behind-the-scenes journey with Jordan Doria as he shares the story of how RealTone? came to be.

Pioneers

Speaking of the T21 extension: a few days ago, it hosted our global innovation community for its annual Innovation Awards, bringing together bright minds and creative teams from across Saint-Gobain!

• With 400 teams from 39 countries presenting projects across five categories—ranging from sustainable innovation to manufacturing process improvement—the ceremony celebrated the boldness and creativity of our people worldwide.
• Each project showcased how our teams are transforming their ideas into concrete solutions, with impact both within and beyond the group. And, as always, with one goal in mind: to make the world a better home. Discover the winning projects here!

Building bridges

In France, our commitment to training the next generation of construction professionals has made a significant stride, with a new partnership between our Sustainable Construction Schools and the BTP CFA network.

●? The goal? To expand, across France, our Sustainable Construction School program, which has been training new generations of craftsmen, from masons to roofers and plumbers, in the sustainable construction trade.

• This partnership will launch at least 20 new classes each year across 72 schools, building on the success of our four specialized programs: L'école des batisseurs , L'école du toit , 19°C L'école du Génie Climatique, and Carré, l'école de l'aménagement intérieur du batiment . Find out more here!

Expanding our horizon

For the first episode of our 360 Years Young video series, we took climate expert Fran?ois Gemenne ne on an insightful journey through the United States East Coast to answer one crucial question: How can we make housing more resilient to climate change?

• One key solution lies in materials. That’s why Saint-Gobain offers innovative roofing designed to withstand hail, as well as wall systems that rapidly recover from flooding.
• Another powerful lever is offsite construction, which not only cuts building times by 50% but also helps address the housing shortage.
• From CertainTeed ’s headquarters in Pennsylvania to an offsite-built home in New England, join us on this journey!