We are living through a transformative era where artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the fabric of our cities, our environments, and the very ways we inhabit urban space. This issue of U+U Journal brings together six diverse and thought-provoking perspectives from leading voices in urban design, planning, and technology, each exploring the profound implications of AI on the future of urban life. From the evolution of electric vehicle infrastructure to the reimagining of placemaking in transit-oriented development, our contributors interrogate how innovation, data, and digital intelligence are redefining the demands and possibilities of contemporary urban environments.

As cities worldwide grapple with unprecedented change, this collection offers both critical in-sight and practical frameworks for understanding where—and how—we live in the age of AI. The papers in this issue invite readers to engage with new explorations, challenge assumptions, and envision pathways toward more resilient, equitable, and vibrant urban futures.

Alain JF Chiaradia, Louie Sieh, and Fiona Waters present a middle-range theory framework for placemaking value in transit-oriented development, integrating anthropological and economic perspectives to systematically link design decisions with the generation and distribution of value among stakeholders. Their model distinguishes between Value in Exchange, Value in Use, and Shared Value, and operationalizes these through measurable indicators, offering a practical tool for research and policy. By synthesizing welfare economics and emphasizing adaptive governance, the paper provides a nuanced approach for balancing stakeholder interests and guiding equitable, resilient urban development in the age of AI.

Adeline Chan and Anne Zhang’s paper provides a timely and incisive exploration of the dual role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of urban construction and governance. By distinguishing between "AI Governance"—the ethical and regulatory frameworks guiding AI’s development—and "Governance in AI"—the use of AI to enhance oversight and transparency in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction sector—the authors illuminate both the opportunities and the critical safeguards needed for responsible innovation. Their analysis underscores that successful integration of AI requires not only technological advancement but also adaptive, multi-layered governance to ensure safety, equity, and resilience.

Peter Cookson Smith’s contribution takes readers on a reflective and imaginative journey through the eyes of an urban designer grappling with the promises and perils of artificial intelligence.

Framed as a modern “fairy story,” the narrative explores AI as both a Pandora’s Box and a creative partner, raising essential questions about the boundaries between human and machine intelligence. Smith’s work highlights the existential uncertainties and ethical dilemmas of AI-driven urban transformation, while emphasizing the enduring value of human creativity, consciousness, and judgment. Barry D. Wilson’s paper analyzes the global rollout of electric vehicle roadside charging infrastructure using a socio-technical framework, highlighting the need to address not only technical and economic factors but also societal, policy, and urban design challenges. Its systems-thinking approach and emphasis on stakeholder integration offer valuable insights for the "AI and Urban Design" issue, informing how emerging technologies like AI can be contextually embedded in complex urban environments.

Jeroen van Ameijde’s paper shifts the focus to the human scale, offering a rich historical and socio-political analysis of basketball courts as vital social infrastructure within Hong Kong’s high-density urban landscape. By tracing the evolution of these spaces from their introduction by the YMCA to their role in contemporary community life, van Ameijde reveals how accessible, inclusive, and community-driven design can enrich urban living. His work reminds us that, even amid rapid technological change, the true richness of city life is found in spaces that foster connection, health, and social cohesion.

Together, the contributions in this issue of U+U Journal illuminate the complex interplay between technology, policy, and the lived experience of urban space. They challenge us to consider not only how AI and innovation can transform our cities, but also how we can ensure that these transformations remain grounded in human values, creativity, and the pursuit of equitable and sustainable communities.

We invite you to engage with these explorations, reflect on their insights, and join the ongoingconversation about the future of our cities in the age of artificial intelligence.