IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

A new global report ranks three Swiss cities among the world’s ‘smartest.’ What exactly does this mean?

Choosing the ‘smartest’ city in the world is not an easy task, but a new study has done just that.

And its findings show not only that Zurich took the number 1 spot, but also that Geneva and Lausanne are among the top 10 (in the 4th and 7th place, respectively) — an impressive result, considering that 142 cities were ranked.

Retrieval-augmented generation is emerging as a way to help city halls get closer to more reliable, real-time generative AI usage, reports Clay Garner.

A recent survey found that 96 per cent of mayors demonstrate at least some level of interest in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). Yet, in their quest to supercharge government services with this technology, city leaders find themselves at the crossroads of transformative potential and serious challenges.

As part of Project Phase-IV of Smart Schools, increase in the utilisation of ICT-based interventions planned

Digital smart classrooms will be established in 48 schools of UP Basic Education Council running within its urban limits, in a move that could provide a fillip to teaching and learning initiatives at government-run primary schools of the district.

Government intends to connect 1.5 million households in rural and township areas by the end of the year to the internet, enabled by Wi-Fi hotspots.

Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, said government plans to connect 5.5 million households in rural and township areas to Wi-Fi hotspots in the next three to four years.

Government biometrics projects and approvals of digital ID technologies made up most of the top news stories on Biometric Update over the past week. National biometrics registration campaigns are yielding results in Ethiopia and Nigeria, a large U.S. contract has been won by Idemia Public Security and its partner, and Australia is limiting the number of companies that will be approved for its federal digital ID system, with IDverse and Mastercard among the likely beneficiaries. Yoti’s age estimation has not won a key approval from the U.S. government, yet, and sooner or later, UK’s borders are likely to need more biometric gear deployed. On the private sector side, NEC has been revealed as the facial recognition provider for a major sports initiative.

How Is AI Transforming Urban Spaces into Safer Communities?

Smart cities' worldwide market is expected to hit $104.80 billion by 2024, with an annual growth rate of 12.15% by 2028. However, the shift towards technology-focused urban development driving this growth poses privacy and security issues due to the widespread use of surveillance and IoT devices. In response, tech firms and developers are turning to AI, blockchain, encryption, and big data analytics as solutions to navigate these concerns.

Transportation is at the heart of every city. Transit is the city's circulatory system that supplies the necessary resources for the city to function. However, many megacities worldwide are experiencing a clog in the system. The average commute in the U.S. is estimated to take around 27 minutes. Back and forth, that would be nearly an hour. For one of America’s megacities, New York, the average round-trip commute can take around a staggering 79.6 minutes.

Transportation problems are a common hindrance to a city's progress, and they're one of the many problems that innovators like Prasanth Sasidharan aim to tackle. Prasanth's expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and engineering has already been adopted by large transportation companies in Abu Dhabi for compliance to city traffic authority KPI’s, fleet management including vehicle maintenance and shows how other megacities can deal with their transportation problems. Furthermore, his expertise in building integrated smart city technologies can help the world envision the future of transportation with AI at its forefront.

Srinagar is gearing up to welcome a fleet of 25 new smart city buses, introduced by the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL). An inspection and trial run of the freshly arrived buses were carried out in the city on Thursday. Anuj Malhotra, General Manager of Planning & Urban Development at Smart City Srinagar, shared details with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), saying that the city is all set to receive 25 state-of-the-art smart city buses, which will commence operations in the coming days. He elaborated on the features of the new buses, saying these have length of over 12 metres.

At Mobile World Congress this year, we spoke with Mr. Hudson Lou, Director of Network and Services Development of Macau CTM, to discuss Macau’s digitalization journey and the potential of 5.5G

Macau occupies a relatively unique position within the global telecoms market, being one of the few cities in the world to have full coverage of both fiber and 5G. Combining this with the city’s high rate of technology adoption, it is easy to see why Macau has quickly become a hotbed of advanced 5G use cases and is well on its way to becoming a truly smart city.

MDES–DEPA announced the success of DIGITAL INFINITY: SMART LIVING project, building a Smart City with digital technology to boost the country’s economic value by more than 200 million baht.

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), led by DEPA along with collaborative networks, announced the success of the DIGITAL INFINITY: SMART LIVING project. This project aims to create a livable smart city through digital technology, advancing smart city levels in Smart Economy, Smart Living, and Smart Governance across 11 areas in 10 provinces nationwide. The project has generated economic value exceeding 200 million baht and is poised to amplify its impact to promote and develop smart cities nationwide.

Chatbot is designed around a family of expert domain fine-tuned models that have unique access to government databases and generates responses and explanations.

UrbanLogiq has announced the launch of its government-grade generative AI assistant, Ethica.

According to UrbanLogiq, Ethica is designed around a family of expert domain fine-tuned models that have unique access to government databases and generates responses and explanations, from users asking questions using plain language.

The World Bank estimates that by 2050 the global urban population will double in size, putting ever-increasing pressure on city streets, housing markets, infrastructure, government services, and the environment. Luckily, over the last few years, advancements in the fields of AI, IoT, robotics, and the ongoing deployment of 5G have made the timing ripe for new technological solutions to come to the rescue. In 2023, the global smart cities market was valued at $748.7 billion and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.8% from 2023 to 2030.

These new solutions are set to reshape our urban environments into the glittering “smart cities” that exist in our imaginations — but what will that actually mean in practice?

Mastercard Cities of the Future Report on the Mena region finds that priority innovations span connected buildings, smart travel and services powered by AI.

More than three-quarters of people (76 per cent) living in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree that living in a smart city would make them happier, according to research by global payment technology company Mastercard.

Are the elements of India’s digital infrastructure, including DigiYatra, facilitating easy operations or are they introducing new challenges and threats to privacy?

Long ago, Air India released an advertisement for Bombay residents, offering them a flight to Delhi to join in celebrating India's first Independence Day festivities. Priced at a princely sum of Rs 140, the advertisement promised the "cheapest, fastest, and safest" mode of transport.

Following a surprise inspection that revealed uncleanliness and malfunctioning units, Raipur Smart City has taken strong action to address the issue of poorly maintained e-toilets in the city by taking over their maintanence. The agency responsible, Hope for Humanity, has been removed from its role.

With an aim to provide convenience to the people and assure proper sanitation practices, E-toilets in the city had been constructed, whose contract of maintenance was initially given to a Hyderabad private company which after a year went bankrupt.Then Hope for Humanity took over, but they couldn't keep up, and many toilets got damaged, said an official.

The plan outlines ambitious objectives for the city, which aspires to become a beacon of "Culture, Civilization, Modernity," characterised by its green, smart, and culturally rich environment.

An ambitious plan for Hà Nội to become a major 'smart city' of culture, innovation and technology is one step closer after the capital's People's Council green-lit a significant development resolution.

Hà Nội will become a beacon of "culture, civilization, modernity," characterised by its green, smart, and culturally rich environment.

“The success of government technology is not dependent solely on bits and cables – infrastructure, internet speed, and ubiquitous connectivity. No vision of smartness or technological advancement is possible without public trust and political legitimacy,” writes Kris Hartley.

In February 2024, Hong Kong police announced plans to instal 615 new surveillance cameras in areas of the city with “high crime figures and high pedestrian flows.” The announcement also mentioned the possibility of equipping the cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. This news follows a January 2024 announcement that 2,000   surveillance cameras would be installed around the city this year. According to an RTHK article, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk “added that he understood some people had privacy concerns, but said many other places had more CCTV cameras than Hong Kong.”

Three in four people would be happier living in a smart city, according to a new report by Mastercard

The report features insights related to human aspirations and technological progress for smart cities in the Middle East.

The report shed light on human aspirations and technological advancements driving the development of smart cities in the Middle East. With projections indicating that two-thirds of the global population will reside in urban areas by 2050, there's a growing imperative to ensure that future cities are secure, sustainable, and inclusive.

Smart cities are an initiative towards sustainable life as these are built with eco-friendly buildings, inexhaustible energy sources, and air quality sensors.

In this modern technological era, the prompt emergence of new smart cities with the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine interaction led to an integrated environment. This data-driven technology will not only raise living standards through sustainability but also ensure public safety in the cities. However, there are a few aspects to be taken into account. Challenges like significant capital investment in infrastructure as well as security and privacy concerns need to be considered for the successful accomplishment of smart cities. To commence with, let us discuss the potential merits of digital cities with the Internet of Things.

Dallas, Texas, finds itself at a crossroads in its journey toward becoming a globally recognized smart city. While recent accolades such as the 2023 Smart 50 Awards celebrate the city’s strides in technological advancement, the shadows cast by its struggling transit system loom large, sparking debates and discontent among residents and taxpayers alike.

While winning a prestigious smart city award marks a significant achievement for residents and businesses, it also starkly contrasts this aforementioned faltering transit system—into which 10.8 billion dollars has been invested since 1999.

Smart cities are continuously looking for innovative ways to improve urban planning and development. One such technology that has emerged as a game-changer is digital twin technology. Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical objects or systems that can be used to monitor, analyze, and simulate real-world conditions. These digital replicas are providing cities with valuable insights into their operations and helping them better manage their resources.

Digital twins have a wide range of applications in smart city planning. They can be used to monitor traffic flows, energy usage, water and sewage systems, and other infrastructure elements. By analyzing this data, cities can make informed decisions to optimize their operations and improve urban planning. With the help of digital twins, cities can better understand the behavior of citizens and the performance of their infrastructure.

India's tax authorities are leveraging data analytics to enhance decision-making processes

India, a nation on the cusp of digital revolution, is witnessing a transformative journey in its tax administration. The integration of digital technologies is reshaping the landscape of tax collection and compliance, promising increased efficiency, transparency, and a significant reduction in tax evasion. The digital transformation of tax administration in India is not just a modernisation effort but a game changer that holds the potential to revolutionise the entire tax ecosystem.

City Voices: It is not possible to build an innovative, robust, and resilient digital government on top of the infrastructure built almost 10 years before the internet existed

There is endless political discussion about how digital technologies can transform the public sector and create cost savings.

But the truth is, digitalisation in the UK is not doing all that well. A brief survey uncovers a picture of a digital government that is failing. The infrastructure is old, antiquated, and costly – it is full of creaking, fragmented systems that are vulnerable to collapse or to cyber attacks. Without urgent action, the UK risks going backwards and falling behind internationally.

In today's day and age, smart cities encompass three fundamental components - the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable resource utilization. For example, IoT facilitates optimized traffic flow through intelligent traffic lights, enhances waste management via sensor-equipped bins, and pushes public safety through smart surveillance systems. Concurrently, AI facilitates predictive decision-making, operational optimization, and personalized services for residents.

It can forecast traffic patterns, reduce energy consumption in buildings, and aid in emergency response by analyzing data trends. Moreover, smart cities prioritize the utilization of sustainable resources to mitigate environmental impact and foster healthier living conditions. They leverage renewable energy sources, promote the construction of green buildings, and implement efficient waste management systems. These sustainable practices mitigate carbon footprints and cultivate more sustainable urban ecosystems.

We’re talking about “smart” as in technologically advanced.

What is a smart city?

Seattle is the 5th smartest city in the entire United States, according to a new study from Top10.com. This particular study defines a “smart city” as one that uses technology like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to further improve the city’s infrastructure and public services while simultaneously providing even better opportunities for economic and social growth.

Public sector organizations face immense pressure to improve efficiencies in the services they deliver to citizens and businesses.

Budget constraints coupled with growing community expectations provide a mandate for digital modernization initiatives across government agencies.

By leveraging emerging technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the public sector may cut costs, expedite operations, and deliver more accessible, tailored services.

Huawei has released the National Cloud 2.0 solution world to help government organisations around the world accelerate national digital transformation and promote intelligence.

Mr Hu Yuhai, Vice President of Huawei Hybrid Cloud, said: “Global digital transformation has reached a new stage of full intelligence driven by data and AI.

The National Cloud 2.0 solution from Huawei provides trusted cloud infrastructure, innovative cloud services, and extensive industry know-how. We aim to help governments achieve national digital visions faster.”

Not many people outside of a smart city know or understand what a smart city is.

A smart city has the ability to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to improve the quality and performance of urban services such as energy, transportation and utilities so that there is a reduction in resource consumption, wastage and overall costs.

The Indonesian government is currently working on the development of Indonesia’s new capital city Nusantara as one of its big strategies to achieve the 2045 Golden Indonesia vision.

The 2015-2085 Indonesian Dream emphasizes the importance of this country's human resources, whose intelligence surpasses that of other nations, and the need for Indonesia to become a barometer of world economic growth.

Smart City project is going on to make Srinagar a smart city. Under which development work is being done in different areas. In this series, noise monitoring system has been installed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Smart City Project. This is an important step to reduce noise pollution and its harmful effects in crowded areas.

The system operates through a series of strategically deployed sensors equipped to continuously monitor and record noise levels at various locations in the city. This is designed to capture real-time data, providing invaluable insight into the patterns and sources of noise pollution.

NEC Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telkom Indonesia, the biggest digital telecommunications company in Indonesia, which is strongly committed to accelerating the country's digitalization.

Both companies agreed to collaborate in developing Smart Cities in the new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), and other Indonesian cities. Their goal is to create a more sustainable and livable environment for citizens by adopting digital technologies in city operations.

Back when we first wrote this collection of smart city trends, it was amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The general sentiment at the time was that shut-down had put many smart city plans on hold. We all recall hearing about the inevitable rise in self-driving cars. Some experts were even predicting, as outlandishly futuristic as it might sound, flying cars. But our dreams of living in Back to the Future II were put on hold when the health crisis caused cities to re-evaluate their infrastructure plans.

However, despite our general lack of hover-crafts, the pandemic did not kill the smart city dream. On the contrary, many cities pursued other less overtly dramatic smart city initiatives in part because of the pandemic. After all, the smartest cities know that a digitally connected community is just as much about promoting public health and safety, improving emergency response, and effective analytics as it is about transportation and sustainability. They also know that in the long run a smart city saves more than it costs.

Private bus operators in Goa have expressed their readiness to embrace the shift towards Smart City electric vehicles (EVs) as part of the private bus replacement scheme. During the meeting with chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday, private bus operators highlighted their grievances, particularly regarding the absence of prior consultation before the release of the notification announcing the commencement of Smart City EV operations in Panaji and its peripheries, from April 1.tnn

They expressed apprehensions about their future if their services were to be phased out without adequate support measures in place.

Smart sensors, artificial intelligence and cloud computing can help city leaders implement traffic policies and priorities, the developer says.

Dive Brief:

• Florida is the latest state to approve an AI-driven traffic management system from NoTraffic, a Tel Aviv-based developer currently operating in more than 24 states and parts of Canada.
• Orlando, Collier County and Pasco County are among the parts of Florida already using NoTraffic’s systems. With this approval from the Florida Department of Transportation, the company can now operate throughout the state, it said in a March 13 news release.
• NoTraffic’s system combines hardware such as smart sensors with artificial intelligence software to give traffic authorities the ability to control and prioritize traffic flow for all transportation modes, including vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles, the company said.

The Ministry of Municipality has digitalised waste disposal permit service which will be launched on March 30, 2024.

The new service will enable the beneficiary to request for a permit to dispose of waste in one of the ministry’s dumpsites or landfills.

It features automatic issuance of permits immediately without interference from employees by verifying all documents required by linking with the Ministry of Interior.

The ambitious smart city projects in the downtown area of Srinagar are well underway, with the completion of the majority of the slated ventures. As per latest reports, out of the 158 projects earmarked for the area, a substantial 93 have already been successfully completed, with work progressing rapidly on the remaining ventures.

These smart city initiatives, deemed vital for the urban development of Srinagar, are poised to meet the looming June deadline, as affirmed by officials closely associated with the project. With extensive efforts underway, the execution of the projects in the downtown area is proceeding at full throttle to ensure timely completion.

The expo - hosted at Pier 36 on May 22nd and 23rd - will showcase companies and leaders in government, tech, infrastructure, finance, equity, and climate building smarter, more sustainable cities

Smart City Expo USA today announced that its 2024 conference will be held in New York City on May 22-23 at Pier 36, with the support of the city. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser, and New York Economic Development Corporation CEO Andrew Kimball will all give remarks as part of the event.

Efforts to digitalise administrative procedures and promote digital transformation in Hanoi have recorded significant progress, from awareness to action in sectors, agencies, and units, contributing to creating new motivations for the capital city’s civilised and modern development in all aspects.

At a parking lot in Tay Ho Temple in Tay Ho district, vehicles with sticker codes on them can enter and exit through automatic barriers. Moreover, cashless payments are used exclusively, providing residents with quick, convenient, and time-saving services at transparent prices as regulated by the Hanoi People's Committee.

Ambitious plans to build a utopian sustainable city at the foot of an active Japanese volcano are well on their way to completion.

First announced in 2021, Toyota has been hard at work constructing their Woven City just miles away from Mount Fuji on the island of Honshū, with the first of 2,000 anticipated residents now expected to move in before the end of the year.

Virgin Media O2 has successfully trialled an innovative new way of improving and expanding mobile services by bringing together its fixed network infrastructure with new smart poles, which could help to boost mobile coverage in local areas across the UK.The innovation trial, delivered in collaboration with shareholder Liberty Global, has seen smart poles installed beside the operator’s existing national fibre network cabinets. The poles, which are much smaller than traditional mobile phone masts and do not require planning permission, can be safely installed in less than a day and house small cell technology which can boost mobile coverage in busy areas.

In a UK first, the electricity is supplied by Virgin Media’s fibre network rather than a traditional power supply through innovative ‘digital electricity’ technology, which transmits power from on-street cabinets in the local area along fibre optic cables. The same fixed fibre network is also used to carry data to and from the mobile cells and the internet.

India has made strides in digitalization and the digital public infrastructure (DPI) has had a transformative impact on the country, said Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Saturday.

Speaking at Indira Gandhi Arts and Science College after unveiling the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Nirmala started off mentioning about her roots in Trichy.She outlined the government's commitment to inclusive growth and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's advancement.

According to IMARC Group, the Europe smart cities market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 13.95% during 2024-2032.

The report has segmented the market by Focus area (smart transportation, smart buildings, smart utilities, smart citizen services), smart transportation (smart ticketing, traffic management system, passenger information management system, freight information system, connected vehicles, and others), smart buildings (building energy optimization, emergency management system, parking management system, and others), smart utilities (advanced metering infrastructure, distribution management system, substation automation, and others), smart citizen services (smart education, smart healthcare, smart public safety, smart street lighting, and others), and country.

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.

Digital transformation is accelerating at breakneck speed around the world. Many countries have been investing in digital transformation and designing national strategies to establish digital infrastructure and develop a digital economy. They understand that powerful digital infrastructure and a robust digital economy are key to navigating the complexities of digital transformation and enhancing their competitive edge. ASEAN remains one of the world's most vibrant and fastest-growing economic regions. The burgeoning digital economy in this region continues to grow.

Thailand, situated at the heart of ASEAN, has been leading the development of the digital economy in the region and boasts the second largest economy there. In 2016, the government of Thailand announced their Thailand 4.0 strategy, a 20-year plan for national economic and social development. The strategy aims at leveraging innovative technologies to promote high-value-added businesses, pull the country out of the middle-income trap, and enhance its overall competitiveness. The government is pushing forward digital transformation to promote industry transformation and transform Thailand into a high-income country.

The term “smart city” was coined in the mid-2000s to describe an idealized blend of modern technologies, enlightened urban planning and broadly inclusive civic engagement. It’s a semi-utopian notion that draws on a deeply rooted human instinct for gathering together and creating shared spaces that provide safety, security, and comfort.

But what does it take for a city to become genuinely smart? The City of Bridgeport offers some intriguing clues. Despite a series of political, economic, and social challenges, the Park City is thoughtfully implementing innovative solutions that qualify it as a “smart city.”

Digital divide or technology gap, which is the gap that exists in various aspects, including internet access, computer literacy, and skills required to navigate the digital world, has indeed widened in Nigeria, due to advancements in global technology.

While developed nations are creating new technologies that will propel the digital age, Nigeria and other developing nations are having to play catch-up due to inadequate ICT infrastructure.

Over one million feet of network lines have been installed throughout the city.

A citywide fiber network created to connect Kenosha residents with lightning-fast, reliable, affordable internet will soon reach its first Kenosha homes, according to SiFi Networks officials.

SiFi Networks is the driving force behind Kenosha FiberCity. It privately funds and operates citywide, open-access Smart City-enabled fiber networks across the United States.

In Summary

• Konza is connected to Mombasa, Kenya's second-largest city and the main port of entry into East Africa, by the A109 highway.
• The highway also connects Konza City to Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Nairobi is often called ‘the green city in the sun’. The capital boasts of being a city that combines a rich legacy of culture, scenic beauty, and innovative urban development.

• With robust backing by the Hong Kong Government, the city is set to transform its transportation system and promote overall sustainability by adopting innovative technologies.
• Hong Kong’s emerging tech-driven smart mobility ecosystem presents numerous opportunities for collaborations between local and international corporations.

Transportation, a daily necessity, is central to Hong Kong’s smart city development, as detailed in the “Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0” published by the Government in 2020.

• Multiple factors are needed for a smart and sustainable city, such as social cohesion, human capital and economic performance.
• The IESE ranking of the world’s most sustainable and smart cities is led by European and US cities, but many cities from elsewhere perform strongly against individual measures.
• With increasing numbers of people living in cities, initiatives like the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cities, which aims to tackle urban affordability, will become more important.

London, Paris, New York – it’s easy to reel off a list of the world’s most famous cities. But what makes a great city? And behind the hype and celebrity, are there other cities we should be celebrating as we look to create smart, sustainable, liveable urban spaces of the future?

Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said the Greater Lanseria master plan has been developed by a multidisciplinary team as the first phase of the smart city President Cyril Ramaphosa envisioned five years ago.

Kubayi said significant investment was still required for bulk infrastructure in the area.

She also said the City of Joburg has invested about R29 million of the Urban Settlements Development Grant towards the Lanseria wastewater treatment works and the Lanseria sewer outfall.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted the need to embrace technology for the advancement of both individuals and cities, making them 'smart' in today's era.

The CM was addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone and inaugurating 253 development projects worth Rs 482 crore of Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation. He also inaugurated the Integrated Control and Command Centre, released the Gorakhpur News Letter and flagged off 34 sanitation vehicles.

Imagine waking up in a city that anticipates your needs, optimizes its resources, and adapts in real time to ensure your life is as smooth and efficient as possible. A city that seems to breathe along with its inhabitants, learning and evolving with each passing day. This is no longer the stuff of science fiction; it’s the burgeoning reality shaped by the Internet of Things (IoT), and it’s redefining urban living as we know it.

Smart City Infrastructure and the surreptitious marriage with IoT are crafting cityscapes straight out of a utopian narrative. As we usher in an era where urban populations soar and the drumbeat for robust infrastructure is deafening, IoT emerges as the perfect dance partner, twirling cities into a synchronized rhythm of efficiency and sustainability.

EnGenius' EOC series is transforming connectivity in smart cities and industrial environments with advanced Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint solutions. The new series comes with dual radios, operating in 5GHz and 6GHz, with integrated NMS for ease of deployment and superior functionality to diverse sectors.

EnGenius Technologies Inc., a pioneer in innovative connectivity solutions, has launched the new Broadband Outdoor EOC655 series, with an efficient network management system called SkyPoint. This series provides integrated Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint connectivity and is ideal for various sectors, including smart cities, remote industrial control, and public safety. With dual 5 GHz radios, it is well-suited for dense radio frequency (RF) environments and offers secure and reliable broadband for last-mile and backhaul applications. The EOC series also features a mobile app, making it easy for wireless technicians and installers to deploy and use. It is designed to meet the evolving demands of dynamic industries and offers enhanced efficiency and superior functionality.

The smart city of Hanoi, covering 270 hectares in the northern Dong Anh District, is set to feature a 108-floor financial tower, apartment complexes, and hundreds of luxurious villas.

This project, as detailed in an official document signed by Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh on March 5, has received environmental impact assessment approval.

The Lagos State Government says it will ensure the delivery of the Lagos Resident Card, commonly called LAG-ID cards, to the homes of the residents more reliably.

The LAG-ID card is a smart card\xa0 introduced in July 2022 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to allow residents to access state services seamlessly.

A vivid three-dimensional rendering of a bridge appeared on the intelligent monitor and evaluation platform at Beijing Yunlu Technology Co., Ltd., pointing to key factors of bridge health. Real-time status, events, transportation navigation, and traffic conditions were all tracked on the screen.

Numerous sensors installed on bridge track every minor dynamic change on the bridge surface and perform digital analysis, according to Gao Fengyong, a regional chief with the tech firm. When a large vehicle approaches, the system checks its weight and produces an early warning if the vehicle and its load is heavier than the bridge was designed to support. The vehicle is then immediately intercepted from crossing the bridge as an emergency response. The screen of the monitor platform shows a digital twin replica of the bridge.

Last week, Otjiwarongo Municipality unveiled a strategic plan to become a smart city, focusing on sustainable urban development and innovation.

Last week, Otjiwarongo Municipality launched an ambitious five-year strategic plan, setting a clear pathway towards transforming Otjiwarongo into a smart city of excellence. The event, graced by Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni and attended by regional and local authority councillors, marks a significant commitment to sustainable urban development and improved municipal services for residents.

Jabalpur has been selected among the 18 cities, in the national-level competition "CITIIS 2.0 Challenge," organized for the country's top 100 smart cities. Only two cities from Madhya Pradesh are chosen in this challenge. On this significant success, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh and Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav have congratulated the citizens, as well as the nodal officer Sambhav Ayachi and other team members for their cleanliness campaign. Singh said the " CITIIS 2.0 Challenge," organized at the national level, aimed to select 18 cities from across the country. He said all cities were required to prepare and submit their proposals on the theme of Integrated Solid Waste Management by January 15, 2024. A total of 84 cities submitted their proposals.

The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) said that smart city investment is not only about technology but also about shaping people's quality of life.

"Investment in the smart city is not only about technology but also about shaping the quality of life of the community as a whole as well as preserving the surrounding environment," OIKN Deputy for Funding and Investment Agung Wicaksono stated here on Tuesday.

A “Libre Sakay” (free ride) app was launched on Monday, March 4, in Borongan City, Eastern Samar in line with the city government's smart city initiative.

The app was launched alongside the unveiling of the Smart Technologies Innovation Center at the Eastern Samar State University in Borongan City.

The app aims to augment the operations of the city’s Libre Sakay program where recipients of the free transport service are given easy access to the transport system with its QR-generated IDs and bus tracking features, among others.

As the pace of innovation for services in public spaces continues to increase, one of the most significant trends to have emerged in the last 12 months is the power of digital twins to revolutionise urban infrastructure.

Recent collaborations and competitions, covered this week on SmartCitiesWorld, underscore the growing significance of digital twin technology in shaping the smart spaces, from enhancing cellular coverage insights to optimising airport operations.

From Zurich to Boston and Shanghai, more and more places are using “digital twins” to create a virtual version of the city to plan the urban experiences of tomorrow. But a lack of data means there’s still a gap between our visions and reality, which Swiss researchers are working on closing.

For city planners, a bird’s-eye view of a map showing buildings and streets is no longer enough. They need to simulate changes to bus routes or traffic light timings before implementation to know how they might affect the population. Now, they can do so with digital twins – often referred to as a “mirror world” – which allows them to simulate scenarios more safely and cost-effectively through a three-dimensional virtual replica.

Leveraging its expertise in digital twins, urban intelligence, and navigation

Urbi, a leading geo-intelligence company, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the world's most attended tech event where attendees journey into new worlds, set to welcome more than 1,800 global tech exhibitors. Leveraging its expertise in digital twins, urban intelligence, and navigation, Urbi, as a strategic partner, will provide attendees with seamless indoor routing experiences, ensuring they can effortlessly explore the exhibition and maximize their engagement with the latest technologies and innovations.

What makes a smart city? Some may think of futuristic scenes like flying cars, massive screens or gleaming skyscrapers, but it is what lies underneath that makes or breaks this dream.

Speedy and stable connectivity serves as the backbone for growth, innovation and collaboration. Emerging technologies will rely on a robust and reliable connectivity infrastructure, which enables businesses, start-ups, researchers and professionals to communicate and collaborate.

The Syracuse, N.Y., Office of Analytics, Performance and Innovation and its partnership with the Department of Public Works demonstrates the cascading effects of what happens when traditional services go digital.

There are few city services that touch as many residents where they live as trash and snow removal. And yet little of the smart city buzz features the blue-collar public works departments that provide those services. The approach and results of the Syracuse, N.Y., Office of Analytics, Performance and Innovation (API) and its partnership with the Department of Public Works demonstrate what happens when these traditionally non-technical agencies go digital.

Du is using Microsoft Azure and Azure Open AI Service to enhance call center analytics and agent response time, with a focus on personalized customer solutions, while also empowering employees through the adoption of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to boost creativity, productivity, and skill development.

Collaboration set to drive a strong joint go-to-market strategy in the UAE, with further innovative use cases expected to follow to solidify du's position in the digital transformation space.

Cebu retained its status as the country’s richest province for the 9th consecutive year in 2023. The Commission on Audit (COA) places its assets at P235.73 billion in 2022, with an increase of P20.43 billion from P215 billion in 2021.

This is largely through the growth of various industries including Tourism, Transportation, IT-BPM, Agricultural Sectors and Processing, Mining, Water, and Telecommunications that are supported by a skilled workforce, along with government infrastructure projects such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the Metro Cebu Expressway, and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway that will bring additional growth in the years to come.

On March 1, 2024, Hong Kong introduced the Telecommunications (Amendment) Ordinance 2024, enhancing 5G deployment and smart city development.

On March 1, 2024, Hong Kong took a significant leap towards becoming a smart city with the gazette publication of the Telecommunications (Amendment) Ordinance 2024. This landmark ordinance paves the way for mobile network operators to install and maintain mobile communications facilities (MCFs) in new buildings, streamlining the deployment of 5G infrastructure across the city. The Legislative Council passed this amendment on February 21, marking a pivotal moment in Hong Kong's journey towards enhanced 5G mobile services and smart city development.

Urban populations are growing rapidly. Today, over half the world lives in cities, and by 2050, over two-thirds of people will live in urban areas. With this growth comes challenges like traffic, energy use, and strained services. However, new technologies offer opportunities to meet sustainability goals while improving safety and quality of life. Video-based systems are one solution helping smart cities worldwide become greener.

Cities today face pressing problems, including worsening congestion, high energy consumption, pollution, public health threats, and limited police resources. The smart city movement uses connected, data-driven technologies to enhance city operations. When powered by flexible video management software, devices like cameras and sensors provide integrated visualization and data insights to improve services, reduce costs, and elevate sustainability and safety.

As Muntinlupa eagerly anticipates its 29th Cityhood Anniversary on March 1, the city is gearing up for a day of celebration and reflection under the theme “Progressive Pathways Towards Smart City Excellence.”

The anniversary festivities will kick off with a Holy Mass at 6:30 AM, setting a tone of gratitude and unity as the community comes together to mark this significant milestone.

Clarens, a picturesque arts town nestled in the Free State, has been classified as South Africa's inaugural "smart town”, which will support its existing smart-city initiatives such as the installation of smart meters, electric vehicle charging stations, and a variety of small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs).

The key to Clarens achieving this milestone: a stable supply of electricity, one that is being made possible through a pilot load-management project in partnership with Eskom, and backed by a mobile application released by Augos.

There’s No Doubt Smart City Infrastructure Will Form a Sustainable Foundation, However Electrification Doesn’t Start With Governments, But With Businesses

Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have proven themselves invaluable in the making of more sustainable cities—not just in terms of improved efficiencies and opportunities from a business standpoint, but also in terms of improving quality of life, globally revitalising the environments in which people live, move, and work.

Dien Bien Provincial People’s Committee on Wednesday launched a campaign to promote their “Dien Bien Smart” app assisting the province’s online public services.

“Dien Bien Smart” is a user-friendly mobile app integrated with many features to serve officials, citizens, and businesses in cyberspace.

It provides users with official and needed information from all levels of state agencies; gives timely warnings, guidance, and recommendations; and provides several utilities for daily life use.

In an exciting development that promises to redefine the boundaries of digital entertainment & urban innovation, Coloss3um, in partnership with Faction Ai, has announced a groundbreaking initiative poised to revolutionize both the digital entertainment sector & Faction's Cognitive Ai Smart City development within the Dubai & Abu Dhabi region. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the fusion of cutting-edge technology with immersive digital experiences, setting new standards for the future of urban living and digital engagement.

Coloss3um, renowned for its pioneering approach to live 3D entertainment on game platforms, has shattered previous limitations, enabling mass market adoption of ultra-realistic digital experiences. Coloss3um offers a monetization platform that integrates biometric security and prioritizes family-safe content, making it a premier destination for a wide array of digital engagements. From live concerts and brand experiences to digital museums and UNESCO sites exploration, the platform caters to a diverse audience, ensuring an unparalleled immersive experience. Douglas Borthwick, CEO of Coloss3um, emphasized the platform's innovative capabilities, stating, "Coloss3um represents not merely an advancement in digital entertainment but a quantum leap into the future of immersive, secure, & diverse digital experiences."