IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

The Canadian federal government launched the Smart Cities Challenge in 2017 to award up to $50 million to municipal governments that are best able to leverage technology to improve life in their cities.

The challenge is part of the government’s Impact Canada Initiative, which aims to address complex economic, environmental and social problems across the country.

I spent last week in Washington DC, speaking at and participating in a number of Smart City conversations. One day was spent with the Canadian consulate and a number of startups bringing technology to the public sector. RIoT led a startup pitch competition at Smart Cities Connect, the most significant US conference that covers the intersection of technology, data and the communities we live in. And I had the opportunity to lead a keynote conversation about regional technology collaboration.

The Smart City market sector is growing rapidly. The majority of projects and progress is at the municipal level. That is why conferences and other forms of convening are so important, so local governments can share best practices and learn from each other. But there is still a long way to go before we could truly call Smart Cities mature.

The party workers, led by district convener Tirlochan Singh, took out a “Pole khol bhraman” at the work sites to check their condition and status of work

The Congress party on Saturday questioned the “pending and failed” development works under the Smart City Project in Karnal.

Sandra Baer takes us through the eight things city leaders should be looking for during Cop28 in Dubai, to help build inclusive and lasting climate resilience.

Cities may only cover two per cent of the world’s surface, but they are major contributors to climate change, consuming 78 per cent of the world’s energy and producing more than 60 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The status quo in our cities, combined with continuing urban sprawl, are key drivers for more urgent climate action, and make Cop28 a summit at which urban climate action commitments must come to the fore.

Over 2 billion tons of garbage are produced globally every year and at least 33 percent of that – according to conservative estimates by the World Bank – is not disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. The problem directly challenges cities, as many local governments are responsible and accountable for waste collection and management.

In Europe, many cities are struggling to improve trash collection and make streets and districts cleaner. The call to increase waste recycling and promote the circular economy is also getting more intense. As for the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals, EU member countries committed to recycling at least 55 percent of municipal waste and 65 percent of total packaging waste by 2025. While some countries including Italy, Germany, Czechia, and Denmark are well on track to meet those goals, a recent assessment by the European Environment Agency highlighted that 18 member states out of 27 are at risk of missing one or both of them.

A digital revolution is under way in South Africa, and it is leaving an indelible mark on industry and enterprise. It is changing how we move people and products, how we create and use energy, how we interact with and care for each other. It is influencing how we build our cities, spend our money and manage our wellbeing. It is remodelling our thinking and how we solve problems, and it is pushing us towards a connected future.

The New York municipality’s recent smart city initiatives focus on quality of life for its residents.

In 2020, StateTech named Syracuse, N.Y., as a top Smart City to Watch. On Nov. 28, Syracuse Director of Strategic Initiatives Jennifer Tifft will participate in Smart Cities Connect 2023 on a panel, The National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology and Implications for Smart Cities and Communities. The conference, hosted by the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., explores issues regarding the design and adoption of networks supporting the Internet of Things and related technologies.

Equipped with IP cameras and GPS Tracker, 10 school buses start their journey on the city streets on Monday

Upon boarding a smart school bus, students will now need to tap their smart cards, which will instantly alert their parents of their whereabouts and boarding time. Similarly, as the students get down, another message will be sent, informing guardians of their children's drop-off location and time.

As a city dweller who has resided in Kuala Lumpur for almost 10 years, Salina Ahmad regularly finds herself stuck in traffic jams and often wonders why roads that used to be relatively clear are now congested all the time.

Whether she is rushing to a meeting or buying groceries at a supermarket, the 42-year-old bank officer also experiences the frustration of searching for parking space in the city. Not only that, she is also concerned about her car's safety especially when it is parked in a dimly-lit alley at night.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Friday, Nov. 24, that "automation" or making the city government services accessible for QCitizens online is the greatest tool for good governance which resulted in several accomplishments the local government received this year.

The lady mayor announced this during her fifth State of the City Address (SOCA) on Friday, Nov. 25, held at the Carlos Albert Hall, Legislative Building at the Quezon City Hall compound.

Smart Columbus will receive $15m of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funding while Franklin County will contribute $5.2m to further support the initiative.

The City of Columbus, Ohio, has allocated $15m to expand access to digital resources and boost digital participation and skills among residents with limited resources.

As a city dweller who has resided in Kuala Lumpur for almost 10 years, Salina Ahmad regularly finds herself stuck in traffic jams and often wonders why roads that used to be relatively clear are now congested all the time.

Whether she is rushing to a meeting or buying groceries at a supermarket, the 42-year-old bank officer also experiences the frustration of searching for parking space in the city. Not only that, she is also concerned about her car's safety especially when it is parked in a dimly-lit alley at night.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has predicted that the Nige­ria’s digital transformation future would be “brighter and also offers hope of being prosperous.”

The NITDA’s boss expressed this optimism in Lagos while delivering his keynote address titled “Imple­menting a National Digital Trans­formation Agenda” at the ongoing Global Tech Africa 2023 with the theme “Facilitating Investments in Africa’s Digital Economy.

Thailand is accelerating the development of smart cities, aiming to enhance the country's digital capabilities and the quality of life for urban communities towards a sustainable future.

Designated as a national agenda, the government is strategically leveraging technology for the development of smart cities, with a focus on sustainable economic growth, resilient urban development, and adaptability to change, said Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.

The WEF G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance’s model policies and regional networks are helping to accelerate responsible adoption of smart city technologies.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released a white paper and two new model policies that highlight how cities can implement new technologies and share data safely to help improve city services and increase quality of life for urban residents and visitors.

Benin’s government aims to accelerate the country's digital transformation, positioning it as a key driver of socio-economic development. A budget of CFA31 billion FCFA was allocated to the Ministry of Digitalization for FY2023.

Benin’s government is pursuing its digital transformation ambition. For FY2024, the government is planning to allocate up to CFA24.3 billion ($40.5 million) to the Ministry of Digitalization (MND). Minister Aurelie Adam Soulé Zoumarou (pictured) presented the budget to the National Assembly's Budget Committee on Monday, November 20.

Pushing Thailand towards the next generation of smart cities

Huawei strengthens its position on fully enabling Thailand to become a smart city, showcasing various innovations and cutting-edge technology and partnering up with Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) to set up a special "Thailand Smart City Expo 2023" seminarand accelerating digital transformation for the cities in Thailand.

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) on November 20 incentivised smart city development by offering a 50% cut in corporate tax for three years.

DES Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong announced the move during a seminar titled “Thailand Smart City 2024” in Bangkok.

Prasert said the Pheu Thai-led government is focusing on developing provincial hubs into smart cities in seven fields – transport, energy, economy, citizen, living, public services, and the environment.

The two-year Visible initiative will support city leaders in London, Madrid and Oslo to pilot equitable and viable construction and renovation models.

C40 Cities has announced Visible, a project that seeks to harness the power of cities to decarbonise their built environments in a way that is both just and economically viable.

The two-year project will bring city leaders and officials in London, Madrid and Oslo together with representatives from workers unions, housing providers, construction industry actors, asset managers and finance and development stakeholders to explore how social equity and inclusion can be embedded into an urban decarbonisation journey.

The City has selected Juniper Cloud Metro solutions to build out a private 5G network, powering services for government, public schools, tourism and residents.

The City of Las Vegas has selected Juniper Cloud Metro solutions to build out its private 5G network, powering services for the city government, public schools, tourism and residents. The intention is that it will help the city reach its goal of becoming a model smart city by 2025.

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry on Monday (Nov 20) incentivised smart city development by offering a 50% cut in corporate tax for three years.

DES Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong announced the move during a seminar titled “Thailand Smart City 2024” at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok.

Prasert said the Pheu Thai-led government was focused on developing provincial hubs into smart cities in seven fields – transport, energy, economy, citizen, living, public services, and the environment.

Realizing the potential of Smart Cities will require public-private cooperation and security by design.

The idea of smart cities is starting to take shape as the digital era develops. A city that has developed a public-private infrastructure to support waste management, energy, transportation, water resources, smart building technology, sustainability, security operations and citizen services is referred to as a "smart city". Realizing the potential of Smart Cities will require public-private cooperation and security by design.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vishesh Sarangal on Friday said the surveillance and traffic management project would be completed by December 15.

The DC said the work of installing 1,218 CCTV cameras at 188 locations was already underway in the city. He said these cameras would be connected with an integrated command and control centre (ICCC).

Sunderland, a city in the North East of England, is set to become one of the UK’s most advanced smart cities, thanks to a £3.8 million grant from the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The funding will be used to improve the city’s digital infrastructure and wireless technology, paving the way for enhanced port efficiency, transport connectivity, and agricultural automation.

One of the key areas of focus in Sunderland’s bid was the use of 5G technology to improve the city’s port operations. By leveraging wireless connectivity, the port can enhance efficiency, reduce fuel usage, and minimize environmental impact. The aim is to transition the port to an all-electric operation, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for maritime trade. Additionally, 5G technology will be utilized to create a connected transport intelligence system, optimizing road transport efficiency within the city and connecting strategically important locations such as Nissan and the Port of Tyne.

A road map for New York City recommends taking a “challenge-based” approach to procurement and beefing up startup infrastructure.

New York City is poised to be a thriving hub for urban innovation, but first, it must get out of something researchers at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and the New York City Economic Development Corp. call “pilot purgatory.”

Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) is to host the first Riyadh Smart Cities Forum in early 2024, bringing together national, regional and global experts to advance the Saudi Arabia-wide discussion on people-centric, smart and sustainable cities.

The forum is being developed as part of SDAIA’s new three-year partnership with FIRA Barcelona, which organises the annual Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

The City of Raleigh will debut new interactive kiosks in the downtown area in hopes of improving the way people navigate the area.

The city will unveil 8-foot tall black boxes called IKE or interactive kiosk experience.

Each one has an interactive touch screen and when activated they'll help users get directions, find information about upcoming events in Raleigh as well as community and social service resources.

Survey by Capterra reveals that smart cities are evolving, but steps must be taken to foster trust from residents with data protection the biggest concern.

5G is the most widely available smart technology in the UK, identified by more than half of respondents (54 per cent) in a recent survey, followed by artificial intelligence (AI) (42 per cent) and the Internet of Things (IoT) (37 per cent).

Those eligible for its Fair Entry subsidy programme can access low-cost access to internet, wireless and TV services through the Rogers Connected programme.

The City of Calgary is introducing a low-cost internet, wireless and TV service programme for those living with low income, contributing to the Canadian city’s social equity objectives.

The summer of 2023, with its extreme heat waves and fires, may be remembered as a tipping point in the public perception of climate change. But we may also be at a tipping point in terms of how cities manage transportation and services to reduce the emissions that affect climate change. With Inflation Reduction Act funding for emissions reduction and greater resilience, and advanced hardware providing tools to pursue those goals, U.S. cities in particular have an opportunity to become smarter, safer, and more sustainable. These developments also represent an opportunity for companies that develop hardware and data analytics solutions.

Claims the new facility will showcase combined human and robotic processes to 'set new standards of customer experience'

Hyundai Motor Group has revealed initial details of its first ‘smart urban mobility hub’.

The company says the new facility – located in Singapore – and known as the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS), will redefine the future of mobility production and set new standards in customer experience when it opens on 21 November 2023.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program" master plan supports the development of smart cities, specifically its component on township development.

This was highlighted by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar in his keynote speech during The Business World x The FREEMAN Forum in Cebu City on Friday.

The Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo is coming to Raleigh next spring. The event, billed as “the nation’s leading smart city IoT event”, will take place at the downtown Convention Center May 8-10, 2024.

According to Richard Erb, the Executive Director of Smart Cities Connect, next year’s event should bring 1,500 total attendees, including 200+ speakers, 80-100 sponsors and exhibitors, and 60 startups. Past events have included attendees from as far away as Japan and Nigeria. Past Triangle area sponsors include RIoT and the Research Triangle CleanTech Cluster.

The state government launched a unified, single-window portal to provide various services under the department of housing and urban affairs on Friday.

People under 103 urban local bodies (ULBs) will now be able to avail the municipal service along with other departmental services through this portal.

Aboitiz InfraCapital’s LIMA Estate, the leading smart and sustainable industrial-anchored estate in Asia, has clinched the Smart City Award at the inaugural ESGBusiness Awards, held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This accolade recognizes LIMA Estate’s efforts in seamlessly integrating innovation with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its smart city initiatives—driven by a strong commitment to transform Lipa-Malvar, Batangas into a thriving, next-generation economic hub.

Through strategic partnerships with global urban infrastructure experts and Aboitiz Data Innovation, LIMA Estate has successfully implemented a comprehensive suite of smart city features, that focuses on enhancing the liveability, resilience, and sustainability of its community.

Due to the breadth of technologies that have been implemented under the smart city label, it is difficult to distill a precise definition of a smart city.

Experts interviewed by Bernama recently share their thoughts of what makes a city ‘smart’ and their vision for a smart city. Some of the key words highlighted are liveable, technology, connectivity, people-centric, sustainability and unity building.

In a time where population growth sparked mass urbanisation, our cities have become the epicentres of transformative change, teeming with opportunities and challenges alike. The surge in urban populations has propelled cities into a new age, a digital and technological renaissance that promises greater operational efficiency and a greener, more sustainable future. At the same time, there are a complex web of operations and challenges, demanding innovative solutions and strategies to meet the evolving needs of our ever-expanding urban communities.

There are several critical issues caused by urbanisation that need to be addressed – not least the its impact on climate. The rapid growth of urban areas and the associated increase in energy consumption have a profound effect on the environment. The adoption of digital technologies, while offering numerous benefits, can also contribute to higher energy consumption, which further exacerbates the climate crisis.

ICT infrastructure constitutes the fundamental foundation of these people-centered cities and responds to changing economic, cognitive, and social conditions more effectively and immediately than traditional cities

Revolutionizing the idea of urban planning and development, smart cities are currently emerging as a symbol of advancement in the modern era. Hailed as the next frontier in the future of living, smart cities are backed by numerous technological breakthroughs and innovations, all of which aim to improve the quality of life of citizens and promote economic growth. The primary goal of smart cities is to provide a technologically advanced environment that fosters innovation and education while also placing a significant emphasis on sustainability. ICT infrastructure constitutes the fundamental foundation of these people-centered cities and responds to changing economic, cognitive, and social conditions more effectively and immediately than traditional cities.

The Asia Pacific region is witnessing a remarkable transformation as smart cities become the new norm. With the rapid advancements in technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a key driver in this revolution. IoT nodes and gateways are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of smart cities across the region.

Fuengirola Council is improving urban traffic with an intelligent traffic management system. This is a new initiative of the government team to turn Fuengirola into a “smart city” and combines traffic light control with a network of video cameras that use images processed through artificial intelligence to manage mobility in a more efficient way, in order to improve safety on Fuengirola’s road network.

“Everyone is already aware of the firm and resounding commitment that we are making at Fuengirola Town Hall to innovate services in order to offer greater well-being to our residents,” said the mayor Ana Mula.

Climate change and galloping urbanisation pose unprecedented challenges to the world's major cities. Half the global population lives in urban areas today, and by 2025 that proportion will be seven out of ten – and cities already account for more than 70% of the world's carbon emissions.

Ensuring personal safety, managing crowds, regulating road traffic and improving public transport are key concerns for cities everywhere. To be appealing, they need to be safe, liveable and sustainable, and their vibrancy is measured in terms of their ability to attract new talent, innovative businesses and visitors from around the world.

Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal, on Sunday encouraged citizens to "leverage" the online services proffered by the revenue department, an official statement said. He was presiding over a volunteer services camp as part of the ongoing vigilance awareness week to bolster transparency, efficiency, and accessibility of public services, as per a statement.

"The momentous event served as a resounding testament to the unwavering commitment of the administration to swiftly address the multifaceted concerns and grievances of the public," an official said. "In a time where the clarion call for digital transformation resonates, this camp stands as a beacon of the district's resolute pursuit of modernization," the official added.

India, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse population, is now embarking on a transformative journey towards becoming a connected nation. With the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing importance of digital connectivity, India is striving to bridge the urban-rural divide and create a seamless network of smart cities and digital villages.

Smart cities, a concept that has gained significant traction in recent years, refer to urban areas that leverage technology and data to enhance the quality of life for its residents. These cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure, efficient transportation systems, and integrated digital services that promote sustainability and improve the overall well-being of citizens. By adopting smart city initiatives, India aims to create modern urban spaces that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally sustainable.

Smart cities and cybersecurity are inseparable. When you start integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) with infrastructure, a city cyber attack is, unfortunately, inevitable. But that doesn't mean it has to be successful.

Systems that were once on separate operational technology (OT) infrastructures have merged with modern information technology (IT) systems and use IoT to gather and manage data. This data is processed and analyzed to optimize city services such as lighting, traffic data management, public parking, video surveillance and real-time response systems.

Makati City is the lone finalist from the Philippines and the Asia Pacific at this year's World Smart City Awards, its local government said Saturday.

Six cities from six countries are vying for the City Award category, which recognizes a city with "developed global strategies combining projects, initiatives and policy implementations for their citizens."

Competing for the award are Sunderland in the United Kingdom, Cascais in Portugal, İzmir in Turkey, Curitiba in Brazil, and Barranquilla in Colombia. This year, the 2023 Call for Awards received 411 top-level proposals under different categories from 63 countries.

As part of the government's vision 2041, a master plan has been jointly developed by the Urban Development Directorate, BRAC’s urban development programme, and Gaibandha municipality to transform Gaibandha town into a model city.

To mark World Cities Day, which has been observed on 31 October since 2014, the master plan was unveiled at a round table discussion on 'Financing Inclusive Urban Planning and Development', and an exhibition at the BRAC Centre in the capital on Wednesday, read a press release.

A panel of experts – including Vodafone UK, NatWest’s Boxed and Google – say asset tracking and optimising connected buildings and vehicles are some of the more encouraging 5G use cases, but we need better collaboration and storytelling to narrow the digital divide and create a truly digital society in the UK

Nick Gliddon, Vodafone UK’s director of business, argues that 5G is crucial to help both communities and businesses make swift and wide-ranging progress. Earlier this year, Vodafone research calculated that having a best-in-class 5G network in the UK would deliver up to £5 billion a year in economic benefit by 2030.

SiFi Networks, the company behind the build, said the fiber network will be completed at no cost or risk to taxpayers, according to a statement from the company.

More than 50,000 residents, businesses, and institutions will be connected to high-speed internet when a new $70 million privately-funded open access network project is completed in the Michigan cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills.

South Korean telecommunications giant KT Corp. announced Wednesday that it has secured a partnership with Telkom Indonesia, pushing development for the smart city project in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.

On Tuesday, the two telcos signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on Indonesia’s smart city project. The signing ceremony was attended by Moon Sung-uk, KT senior vice president and head of global business unit, and Rizal Akbar, manager of smart city development task force, at Telkom Indonesia's headquarters in Jakarta.

In moving toward a vast initiative that is slated to provide broadband internet to 85% of Memphis households — including 85% of low-income households — the city of Memphis is looking to Chattanooga for inspiration.

The city is also bracing for a fight with telecommunications companies, much like the fight that occurred when Chattanooga first announced a plan to offer gig-speed internet communitywide through fiber-optic cables.

Malaysian operator CelcomDigi has struck a deal with property developer I-Berhad to accelerate digital development of its ‘i-City’ smart city project, starting with lots of fibre.

CelcomDigi says it will collaborate with I-Berhad to deploy its fibre-to-the-room (FTTR) service in i-City, delivering broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps to any room in i-City homes. The operator will offer the service at exclusive promotional prices for i-City residents, provided they’re already existing Celcom or Digi postpaid customers.

The City of Butuan today is outperforming most Philippine cities in terms of transformative governance. It is a rising transformation gem in Caraga recognized for its innovative projects, including being one of the 15 cities in the world declared as winners in the last Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Mayors Challenge that came with a $1 million prize, technical support, and coaching for three years for the implementation of the city’s winning proposal.

After eight years, I was back in Butuan a couple of weeks back to speak at MindaCon 2023 which the city hosted. The well-attended conference is an annual event of all the ICT Councils in Mindanao and is jointly organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines.

Chicago Taskforce on Innovation and Technology brings together a coalition of public and private sector organisations to resolve Chicago’s most critical issues.

The City of Chicago is launching the Chicago Taskforce on Innovation and Technology (CTIT) to advance new solutions in public safety, smart government, and connected infrastructure.

Projects of the Smart Cities Mission under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs are driving up real estate prices in Hubballi, Karnataka and land prices near Tolankere Lake have seen a two-fold increase in three years, says Rudresh S Ghali Managing Director, Hubballi Dharwad Smart City Limited. Before the redevelopment of the Tolankere Lake, land prices were around Rs 2,000 per square feet, but after the redevelopment of the lake it has shot up to Rs 4,000 per sq feet, said locals residing there.

Tolankere Lake is one of the important open spaces and the second largest lake in Hubballi Dharwad city. The lake has been transformed by Hubballi Dharwad Smart City Limited at a cost of Rs 25 crore. The lake surrounding offers amenity for all age groups including walkways, children play area, amphitheater, meditation area, parking facility for two and four wheelers.

In small-town Kazakhstan, an experiment with the “smart city” model has some residents smiling. But it also signals the start of a new mass surveillance era for the Central Asian nation.

At first glance, Aqkol looks like most other villages in Kazakhstan today: shoddy construction, rusting metal gates and drab apartment blocks recall its Soviet past and lay bare the country’s uncertain economic future. But on the village’s outskirts, on a hill surrounded by pine trees, sits a large gray and white cube: a central nervous system connecting thousands of miles of fiber optic cables, sensors and data terminals that keeps tabs on the daily comings and goings of the village’s 13,000 inhabitants.

In the heart of Indonesia, a new capital city is rising. Nusantara, a name meaning ‘archipelago in between’, is set to become the country’s first smart city and digital hub, ushering in a new era of innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. What was once a distant vision is now materializing, with the Indonesian government’s ambitious plan of transforming the nation into an advanced economy by 2045.

The Blueprint of a Smart City

Nusantara’s design is a testament to the confluence of technology and urban planning. The city is envisaged to be an eco-friendly urban landscape, with buildings harnessing renewable energy, public transportation running on electricity, and digital access to public services. The city’s blueprint is not just about integrating technology into daily life, but also about using it to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants.

LAMDA Development is pleased to announce Little Athens, the latest residential neighborhood of The Ellinikon, Europe's largest urban regeneration project and a smart city being built from the ground up in Athens. Amid significant sales velocity across The Ellinikon's residential offerings, Little Athens will bring approximately 1,115 new residences to the sales market in its first phase. Created within the sustainable, smart urban ecosystem of The Ellinikon, Little Athens represents a brand-new residential approach for Athens, embodied in the neighborhood's first 50-meter-tall residential building, Park Rise, designed by acclaimed architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

The ancient town of Siem Reap, renowned for its Angkor World Heritage Site and vibrant tourism industry, is on the cusp of a significant transformation into a “Smart City” by 2035.

Scheduled for completion by 2035, the Siem Reap Smart City project has a dual purpose: enhancing the local community’s well-being and accommodating a significantly larger number of tourists, projected to reach more than 18 million, in 2035.

In the wake of rapid technological advancements, the concept of smart cities has emerged as a beacon of progress, revolutionizing urban landscapes across the globe. At the heart of this transformation lies the synergy between smart cities and smart cars, where automobile technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of urban living. This symbiotic relationship between cities and cars is not just about convenience; it represents a fundamental shift in the way we perceive and interact with our surroundings.

Dagang Nexchange Berhad (DNeX) is tying up with Zhongheguoji Construction Group Co Ltd (CSI) to source for state-of-the-art technology and solutions from China.

In a statement, DNeX said it is establishing a joint venture with CSI for the establishment of a joint venture enterprise (JVE) to also expand its geographical footprint into the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

Data centre co-location is on the upswing worldwide, says Bloomberg, with demand in the market set to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7 percent between 2023 and 2030 to reach nearly $90 billion, according to the global media and financial data and analytics firm.

This upsurge can be attributed to several factors, including rising demand for over-the-top (OTT) media and video streaming services and the need to lower ICT infrastructure costs, as well as the emergence of technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), self-driven vehicles, cloud computing and robotics.

A city near Tokyo is the first in Japan to test wireless charging for EVs – and the chargers are in front of traffic lights.

Wireless charging for EVs at traffic lights

The pilot is being run in Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City by the Universities of Tokyo and Chiba, along with nine companies, including tire maker Bridgestone and auto parts makers NSK and Denso. (Kashiwa Smart City is named that because it’s a model city for intelligent transport system experiments.)

A Geographic Information System (GIS) project has been successfully implemented through Pimpri-Chinchwad Smart City Limited, as part of the Smart City Mission initiated by the Government of India. This innovative project introduces a state-of-the-art GIS system to enhance the day-to-day operations of 20 different departments within the municipal structure. Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Shekhar Singh shared insights into the project, emphasizing that it marks a pioneering initiative undertaken by the municipality in the country.

The GIS system empowers various departments of the Municipal Corporation to streamline their operations seamlessly. According to Commissioner Shekhar Singh, the project offers a view of over 300 data layers, encompassing essential details such as the locations of municipal facilities, including roads, water tanks, utility poles, footpaths, parks, ward-wise areas, playgrounds, municipal properties, and more. Officers and employees in each department can access this information according to their respective areas of operation, which will be instrumental in facilitating data editing and report generation.

Global artists will collaborate on a painting of Shanghai's oldest iron and steel mill in Baoshan to mark its transformation into a smart city.

The Baoshan government initiated the campaign for the former No. 1 Shanghai Steel Factory to be reestablished as the Wusong campus of the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts of Shanghai University.

New York City has announced the launch of the new Smart City Testbed Program, which will involve government collaboration with outside organizations to launch eight pilot technology projects.

Earlier this month, the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) announced the NYC Smart City Testbed Program.

The city of Brownsville's new comprehensive mobility plan has been rolled out.

The 208-page BTX Mobility Plan is meant to serve as a road map to guide the city's development of efficient and safe transportation systems that benefit the community, according to the city. In an executive summary, the plan describes itself as a "framework that outlines strategies and related actions for the provision of safe, clean and efficient urban transportation."

Batac City is gearing up to become the region’s next model of a smart and sustainable community through innovative solutions for a better and easier life.

Backed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) along with other government agencies, the city government of Batac is now in the process of upgrading its digital highway to speed up government transactions as well as improving the food chain supply through smart agriculture.

Cities around the world are transitioning toward smarter and more efficient living, marking the end of the third-generation (3G) network era as faster networks rise to the forefront.

The transition to a faster network is being accelerated by the planned shutdown of all 3G networks over the next 12 months by Australia’s major telecommunications providers, which include Telstra, Vodafone, and Optus.

In an era where technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, the parking industry is also undergoing a significant revolution. The integration of digitization and advanced technologies has paved the way for energy-efficient solutions that address the pressing challenges of urban congestion and environmental sustainability. These innovations are reshaping the future of urban mobility, and taking the industry in a far more environmentally-friendly direction. As cities grow and vehicles increase, traditional systems for parking struggle to cope with the demand. However, digitization offers a transformative solution by leveraging technology to optimize operations, improve user experience, and reduce energy consumption.

In our cities, climate-related disasters disproportionately impact the poor, while women and children struggle to access essential urban services.

Cities have always been dynamic hubs of culture, education, economic growth, and opportunity. Most importantly, they serve as centres of social interaction that attract residents and visitors alike.

The Digital Dubai Dubai.AI platform will use generative AI to act as a personal digital assistant for users, answering their queries in real-time

The Digital Dubai generative AI personal digital assistant will answer user queries in real-time about all sectors of the emirate “with a personalised touch”.

Digital Dubai is launching the Dubai.AI platform, in partnership with the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), to enable users to easily access services and information about the emirate across various sectors.

The Middle East, renowned for its history, culture, and economic strength, is experiencing a pivotal moment where urban development converges with tech innovation.

Data-driven video technology, utilising AI and smart city infrastructure, is a crucial catalyst for this evolution. Analysing real-time video data from cameras and sensors enhances security, optimises traffic management, and informs urban planning. This technology drives the region towards a safer, more efficient, and interconnected future.

The Municipality currently oversees eight advanced digital projects and services in vital sectors and fields

H.E. Al Hajri: “GITEX Global is a platform for collaboration in emerging tech, advancing Dubai’s goal to become the world’s most advanced digital city”

Dubai Municipality has announced its participation in GITEX Global 2023, one of the largest and most comprehensive technology events in the realm of digital economy, which will be held from October 16 to 20, 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The municipality will showcase eight of its most innovative digital projects and services, covering significant areas such as licensing and regulation of building and construction activities, the use of 3D printing in construction, and AI-powered detection of construction violations, as well as projects involving geographic information systems, sewage treatment, and services for promoting investment opportunities, enhancing investor satisfaction, and responding to customer inquiries.

The paradigm shift in the automotive industry is driven by the integration of technologies like 5G, AI/ML, Natural Language Processing, and in parallel cloud computing enhances the vehicle experience.

In today’s uber-tech world, consumerisation of automotive has rapidly changed expectations for what our vehicles need to deliver. In such a scenario, imagining a car that doubles up as a comfortable living room and a productive workspace on the go is not tough. The evolution of car cabins from traditional transportation pods to multifunctional living spaces is already underway. Data suggests by 2022, around 25% of new cars sold worldwide were equipped with connected features, providing an immersive experience to passengers and drivers alike.

In a bid to help city police expand the fleet of electric hoverboards, Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited (SCTL) is procuring 10 self-balancing electric scooters to be used for patrolling in the city. Powered by a 48V 14AH lead acid battery, the driver only scooters will weigh 60 kg and above. The maximum driving speed will be 18km per hour and it will have a load capacity of 120 kg. The full charge time will be six to seven hours, says a request for proposal issued by the SCTL.

The vehicle will be designed to transmit real time location (GPS) via GSM/GPRS through API/Interface with integrated command and control centre of SCTL. As part of remote monitoring and data reporting, each vehicle will be fitted with a telemetric device which will be connected to integrated command control centre that can monitor, collect, and report information related to each vehicle, including vehicle identification data, daily distance run, routes, timings, vehicle tracking, charging event information, vehicle own times, energy consumption, fleet operator ID, etc.