The concept of a "smart city" has evolved significantly over the past two decades. What began around 2005 as a tech-focused display of digital infrastructure, IoT, and urban data has matured into a multidimensional, systemic vision. This early approach, while innovative, sparked criticism for its technocratic view, treating cities as collections of technical problems rather than living, complex systems. It also threatened to become invasive regarding mass surveillance and data privacy. Many pilot projects failed to scale, lacking context and integration with legacy systems, and often excluded citizens from planning.
As a result, emphasis has now shifted from technology as the driver to technology as an enabler of more livable, resilient and just urban environments. This reimagined "smart" approach necessitates system-thinking, moving beyond isolated technological fixes to integrated strategies that harness real-time data for adaptive governance, enhanced climate resilience in urban planning, inclusive growth, and collaborative policymaking. It also demands human-centered innovation, ensuring that technology serves human needs by designing systems that are inclusive, ethical and responsive to the complex realities of urban life, rather than imposing top-down solutions.
Creating a smart city also involves leveraging advanced tools such as AI, Digital Twins, and sophisticated urban data systems to simulate multiple scenarios, stress-test projects, and refine decisions before implementation. Smart, effective strategies blend innovation with good governance and robust community leadership. The goal is to design systems for people and plan for the planet, with technology fostering collective well-being.
The creation of Philippine smart cities by 2030 becomes urgent because humanity will find itself at a pivotal crossroads by then. Despite pockets of innovation and progress, our urban future is threatened by escalating climate change, geopolitical turbulence, widening inequalities, and a pervasive decline in social trust.
According to the United Nations’ 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Progress Report, a mere 15 percent of SDG targets set for 2050 are currently on track. 2024 was the warmest year on record, with an 86 percent chance that global average temperatures will exceed 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels within the next five years. Emissions continue to rise despite net-zero pledges. Underfunded adaptation efforts lead to environmental catastrophes, the disruption of food and water systems, and the straining of fragile infrastructures. When it comes to economic insecurity, a global housing affordability crisis impacts an estimated 3 billion people.
Living examples
This confluence of environmental, social, and geopolitical pressures renders the 2030 deadline a matter of sheer survival. The crucial groundwork and measurable gains to attain the UN goals in 2050 must be achieved by 2030 to make those later goals even remotely attainable.
The path forward demands transformational leadership, where leaders possess the political courage to challenge old paradigms, embrace disruption, and prioritize long-term well-being over short-term gains. Examples like New Zealand’s well-being budget or Finland’s education reforms demonstrate this visionary leadership.
The creation of a smart city by 2030 calls for innovative financing to overcome the challenge of upfront costs for resilience investments through alternatives like infrastructure banks, green bonds, carbon pricing, and other creative financial instruments. Cities can invest in nature-based solutions, electrify and decarbonize urban systems rapidly, mandate transparent emissions reporting from corporations, and proactively protect and empower frontline communities most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Pioneering cities demonstrate what's possible: Taiwan uses AI for typhoon predictions. Kyiv employs Digital Twins for urban management. Cape Town implemented smart water meters to avert "Day Zero.” Singapore mandates Building Information Modeling for efficient construction. Oslo incentivizes electric cargo bikes. Los Angeles uses cool pavements. Oceanix Busan has prototypes of floating communities.
Cities are the laboratories of innovation, the hubs where collective will can be harnessed for change. By breaking down silos, fostering cross-sector partnerships and empowering communities, municipal leaders can create resilient and inclusive urban spaces. The time ahead is not just a planning window, but a launchpad for unprecedented change: to realize a vision for a truly smart, sustainable and equitable urban future by 2030.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Ludwig Federigan
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: The Manila Times, 06.01.2026
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