<p>The capital of <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/estonia" target="_blank">Estonia</a> emerged from Soviet state to high-tech hub. It was the world’s first nation to declare internet access as basic human right, first to switch on online voting, and one of the first nations with a speedy 5G network that powers local locals and visitors alike. The celebration of <a href="https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/discover/articles-guides/100-years-of-the-republic-of-estonia" target="_blank">Estonia’s centennial</a> as a republic is underway, offering dozens of events through 2020. (<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/tallinn-estonia" target="_blank">Plan your trip to this smart city</a>.)</p>

Tallinn, Estonia

The capital of Estonia emerged from Soviet state to high-tech hub. It was the world’s first nation to declare internet access as basic human right, first to switch on online voting, and one of the first nations with a speedy 5G network that powers local locals and visitors alike. The celebration of Estonia’s centennial as a republic is underway, offering dozens of events through 2020. (Plan your trip to this smart city.)

Photograph by Lucas Vallecillos/VWPics/Redux

See the future: Here are the world’s most innovative cities

With urban gondolas and reclaimed green spaces, these urban areas confront challenges with creativity.

By 2050, two out of every three people are projected to live in cities. As populations grow and urban areas become better connected, travelers are exploring them like never before: International tourism arrivals reached just over 1.3 billion in 2017, according to the latest reports from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to build cities for the future. (Find more smart and sustainable cities around the globe.)

Smart cities are confronting these challenges with creativity: improving roads, boosting access to technology, supporting heritage and diverse communities, and protecting the environment. (Learn how to build a city for the future.)

Discover how these 10 innovative destinations are protecting the planet while benefiting locals and travelers alike.

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