Data centers should benefit the cities that power them
Rest of World Nasiphi Moya
Cities hosting data centers for AI infrastructure need greater involvement in planning these facilities to balance economic growth with local service delivery obligations like electricity and water. Over 40 cities including those in Africa have signed the Global Urban Data Centres Pact launched during London Climate Action Week to ensure data centers are sustainable, benefit communities, and that municipal governments have a say in their development. When cities integrate digital infrastructure into broader urban planning with industry partnerships, they can attract long-term investment while strengthening infrastructure resilience and creating local economic opportunities beyond just hosting facilities.
Why it matters
Cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America must ensure AI infrastructure development benefits local communities and leads to sustainable economic growth.
