Smart cities were going to fix everything – from gridlocked traffic and energy-inefficient buildings to lack of urban safety and waning quality of life. The vision was sleek: autonomous systems, AI-driven infrastructure and hyper-connected environments would make cities more efficient, sustainable, and livable. Yet, several decades in, it remains just that – a vision.
Beyond the hype and the headlines, though, urban renewal is happening. A revolution is taking place, consistently and quietly, one building at a time, through practical, tech-driven solutions. They might not always be flashy – but they are potent.
Our own innovations are driving this change – making new and existing structures more energy-efficient, reducing maintenance-related carbon emissions, and enabling long-term building flexibility and sustainability.
Here’s how.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Schindler Traffic Vision software facilitate the visualization of elevator and escalator planning in such a precise way that we can use them to configure products and reduce material waste. And in some projects, we pull our certified self-climbing system, Schindler CLIMB Lift, into action from the word go, removing the need for scaffolding or external hoists, and promoting safety, productivity, and energy efficiency.
Quai Vernets residential development in Geneva, Switzerland, proved to be a great showcase for what Schindler CLIMB Lift can achieve. With its fast cruising speed, large lifting capacity, and ability to manage construction logistics from inside the buildings, whatever the weather, our Schindler 5500 Climb Lift helped accelerate construction – saving time and energy. Learn more ➝
Then there’s Schindler MetaCore, which makes lifetime sustainability a reality. One elevator group serves various purposes within mixed-used buildings – whether they’re hotel, residential, or office spaces. This means buildings can function efficiently and effectively with fewer elevators – and therefore fewer elevator shafts – optimizing space, reducing energy use, and avoiding unnecessary construction. With this innovative technology, existing, outdated high-rise buildings can be repurposed and redefined time and time again. Instead of being demolished and rebuilt, they switch from monofunctional to mixed-use, with the elevators evolving alongside the building to meet the changing needs of urban populations. Learn more ➝
Our digital services leverage the latest in data analytics and diagnostics. By tracking the status, usage, and performance indicators of any connected system, we can identify, diagnose, and even on occasion fix potential issues from afar. And, when on-site visits are needed, service technicians are well-prepared and fully informed, reducing the number of visits required – and the carbon emissions generated. In fact, connected units, data analysis, and remote maintenance activities mean callback needs are reduced by up to 37 percent and carbon emissions can drop by up to a staggering 80 percent.
In Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport and CapitaSpring skyscraper, two structures renowned for their biophilic design, there’s more than waterfalls, farms, and plants at play. We’re contributing to the green building approach at both iconic buildings, collecting and transmitting equipment data to Singapore’s Technical Operations Center, where it’s primed and prepped to alert a Service Technician of any anomalies. Sometimes, technicians can troubleshoot remotely – or, if an on-site visit is needed, they can arrive armed with the necessary information, tools, and parts, saving time, reducing waste, and limiting carbon emissions from journeys made.
Schindler PORT, our holistic building transit management solution, complete with Schindler PORT ECO feature, uses elevators more efficiently, adapting service to match traffic requirements – leveraging usage data to dispatch only the elevators required and switching unused elevators to standby mode. In doing so, it reduces energy consumption, while continuing to offer secure access, scalability, and personalized user experience.
And in Australia, when a 1970s structure was in need of a refresh, the Quay Quarter Tower team rose to the challenge. They retained almost two-thirds of the original structure, doubled floor space without altering the building footprint, created a biophilic emblem, and incorporated energy-efficient equipment, including our double-deck elevators and Schindler PORT. Having reduced construction time, limited carbon dioxide emissions, and added a modern icon to Sydney’s skyline, Quay Quarter Tower was (deservedly) recognized for its innovation in sustainable building.
And, seemingly simple yet extremely effective, we’ve gone digital with paperwork – from field documentation and invoices all the way through to fitters’ manuals. Our paper-free approach to installation and commissioning manuals alone saves 250 metric tons of paper a year. Discover more ➝
That’s not all, though. Many of our products, through a host of varied features, are pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency. Regenerative drives are reducing net power usage by up to 50 percent and cutting heat generation and dissipation – in turn saving on the need for extra energy for cooling – and gearless machines are using 30 percent less energy than their old, geared counterparts.
ECO Premium technology specific to our escalators is driving efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and smart power management means the motor uses various levels of power, depending on passenger traffic, and stop-and-go, slow-speed, and stand-by modes are implemented accordingly – teamwork in all its glory.
The eye-catching pink escalators in Beijing’s Xirondo Plaza shopping center are a prime example. The drive system powering these escalators combines high-efficiency gears with an International Efficiency class IE3 motor to deliver impressive energy efficiency gains. And, the (pink) icing on the cake, by using die-cast aluminum escalator steps – which have a longer life span and can be recycled more efficiently – we’ve cut the escalator’s weight by 40 percent and boosted efficiency by five percent.
Over in the Prudential Tower in Boston, our modernized gearless machines are providing smooth, quiet rides to users, while simultaneously regenerating power back into the building’s electrical system. In doing so, our elevators are contributing to the overall energy savings of the skyscraper – which was a worthy winner of Elevator World’s 2025 Project of the Year.
It (almost) goes without saying that across all our products and solutions – elevators, escalators, and moving walks alike – where we can use sustainable, LED lighting, we do. These lighting options have a longer life span and improved energy savings. And we don’t skimp on design – lighting options offer flexibility and plenty of design choices across our product lines.
Our solutions – used in planning, installation, digital services, and product innovation – are quietly but powerfully transforming city infrastructure. Technology and innovation are key to upgrading cities – helping to both retrofit old infrastructure and repurpose spaces for new uses.
As we continue to incorporate energy-saving features, digitize processes, and enable building repurposing, not only are we enhancing the sustainability, functionality and longevity of buildings, we’re ensuring they meet the evolving needs of our growing population – and of our planet.