As cities, infrastructure systems and the built environment continue to evolve, the need for practical, future-focused learning has never been greater.
From low-carbon buildings and digital engineering to AI-powered productivity and intelligent urban ecosystems, professionals across government, construction, engineering, technology and urban development are being asked to navigate increasingly complex challenges — while also staying ahead of rapid change.
Through its partnership with the Smart Cities Council, ZIGURAT Institute of Technology continues to provide access to industry-led education, masterclasses and global learning opportunities designed to help professionals build capability in the areas shaping the future of cities and infrastructure.
New ZIGURAT Resources and Masterclasses Now Available
ZIGURAT has recently released a range of open-access sessions and updates that may be of interest to the Smart Cities Council community.
Low-Carbon Consulting: The Journey to Zero Carbon Buildings
In this featured session from the ZIGURAT HVAC Congress, Janet T. Beckett — Director of the Master’s in HVAC Systems with Energy Efficiency and Founder of Carbon Saver Consultants Ltd — explores how the industry can bridge the gap between increasingly complex regulations and commercially viable project delivery.
The session provides valuable insights for professionals working across sustainable buildings, HVAC, decarbonisation and energy efficiency, with a practical focus on the journey to zero-carbon buildings.
HS2’s Digital Engineering Journey: Building the Future of Rail
From ZIGURAT Construweek 2025, this session offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most significant rail infrastructure projects.
Featuring James Daniel, Head of Digital Engineering at HS2 Ltd and Director of ZIGURAT’s Master’s in Global BIM Management for Civil Engineering and GIS, alongside Andrew Robinson, Bentley Consultant, the session explores how digital engineering, BIM and data-led delivery are transforming major transport infrastructure.
For professionals involved in rail, civil engineering, digital twins, infrastructure delivery and project management, this is a compelling case study in digital transformation at scale.
Navigating the Future: Building Intelligent Urban Ecosystems
Smart city development is no longer simply about deploying technology — it is about building mature, connected and self-sustaining urban ecosystems.
In this ZIGURAT Tech Minds session, Chris Dymond, Director of the Master’s in Global Smart City Management and Founder of Unfolding, sits down with Tom Pennington, Global VP of Advisory at the Smart Cities Council, to explore how digital technologies, governance and data are reshaping urban environments around the world.
The conversation examines what it really takes to create more intelligent, resilient and future-ready cities, making it highly relevant for city leaders, planners, consultants and smart city practitioners.
AI-Powered Productivity with Microsoft Copilot
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how professionals work, plan and make decisions.
In this practical session, Juan Carlos Gutierrez explores how Microsoft Copilot can improve productivity across the Microsoft Office environment by automating repetitive tasks, surfacing insights and supporting more strategic ways of working.
For professionals seeking to understand how AI tools can be integrated into day-to-day workflows, this session provides a useful and highly practical starting point.
Latest News from ZIGURAT
ZIGURAT is also continuing to strengthen its role within the global education and built environment ecosystem, with several recent milestones including:
- Participation in Digital Construction Week 2026, with a session focused on BIM, AI and Digital Twins 👉 Read the full news
- ZIGURAT Student Week 2026, which brought together around 150 students from 44 countries in Barcelona 👉 Read the full news
- ZIGURAT Summit 2026, welcoming more than 200 professionals in Barcelona 👉 Read the full news
These activities reflect the growing global interest in practical, cross-disciplinary education that connects technology, sustainability, infrastructure and urban transformation.
Explore ZIGURAT’s Programs Through the Smart Cities Council
As a Smart Cities Council partner, ZIGURAT’s programs and learning opportunities are also featured within the SCC Partner Education Programs area, helping members and the broader SCC community connect with education that supports the future of cities, infrastructure and the built environment.
Whether your focus is smart cities, BIM, digital twins, AI, sustainability, energy efficiency, project delivery or future infrastructure, ZIGURAT offers a range of courses, masterclasses and professional development pathways designed to help you stay informed and build practical capability.
Explore ZIGURAT and other SCC Partner Education Programs here: https://www.smartcitiescouncil.com/partner-education-programs
As the pace of change accelerates, access to high-quality, globally relevant education will remain one of the most important tools available to professionals shaping smarter, more sustainable and more resilient communities.
For more information on Smart Cities Council programs:
