YINCHUAN – Cities are like Tolstoy’s families: each messed up in its own way. The new challenges urban conglomerates have to face and how to better address them were the main topics of discussion at theSmart City in Focus conference which took place in Yinchuan (China) a couple of weeks ago.

If for Atlanta, Georgia, transportation and public safety are the top priorities to address, in the struggling desert utopia of Masdar City, the focus is on renewable energy and smart buildings.

Some administrations are counting on apps and sensors to better serve citizens, while others are trying to engage the population through loyalty cards similar to those issued by Tesco or Target TGT -0.49%.

If you live in Tel Aviv, Israel, for instance, you can request Digitel, a resident’s card which will give you access to a number of online services, from managing your bills to get notifications about what’s taking place in the city.

It also entitles you to discounts and benefits like free swimming pools the last week of summer or members-only events. In the name of boosting efficiency and improving the quality of life of citizens, the municipality gets to know a lot more about you and your habits.

Thousands of miles away, in Palo Alto, California, the city council launched in June an app which allows citizens to report issues and access local government-provided services on a 24/7 basis, while Dubai is experimenting with ‘smart kiosks’ where citizens can top up and pay their bills.

Keep reading on Forbes.