IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The City of Imperial became Thursday the first smart city in the county.

In a press conference held on December 12 at Eager Park, city officials said the city is being transformed by leveraging technology to improve the quality of life for all our residents.

By ensuring equitable access to high-speed broadband internet, the city is closing the gap and providing all residents with the resources they need to thrive in the digital age, the city said.

Technology disruption and rising cloud costs are forcing public sector agencies to rethink their digital transformation roadmaps. Artificial intelligence and 5G promise revolutionary capabilities, but they also demand unprecedented computing power — and many agencies are discovering their current infrastructure isn’t ready. The solution? Strategic data center modernization is the critical first step on a practical path to implementing next-generation innovations.

Here is a guide on how to check your fines and how you can pay them online in just four easy steps

Have you recently committed a traffic violation in the UAE and received a fine for the offence from Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)? Or do you wish to check your driving record for any violations and are not completely sure on how to go about it?

Fret not. The UAE, and Dubai in particular, has made massive strides in becoming a smart city, through its array of digital initiatives.

Julian Belgrave, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) country representative, has said the Connected Arima initiative is the first of its kind in the West Indies and possibly Central America. He said there was interest in replicating the initiative in other Caribbean countries.

Belgrave was addressing over 50 Arima businessmen at a consultation with the Arima local economic development unit and the office of the MP, Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, the Arima Borough Corporation and the IDB.

The GCC’s population more than doubled over the past 25 years, growing from 26.2m in 1995 to 56.4m in 2021, outpacing the global growth rate of 30%. Urbanisation has also accelerated across the region, driven by rapid economic development, migration and the concentration of economic activities in urban centres. By 2015 the GCC led Arab countries as the most urbanised subregion, with an urbanisation rate of 82.2%. Specifically, Qatar and Kuwait achieved urbanisation rates of 99.2% and 98.3% respectively, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia both exceeded 80%. Meanwhile, Oman reached 77.6%. This rate is expected to rise to 95.1% by 2050.

Hanoi is enhancing its urban agriculture with high-tech and ecological farming models, with efforts directed towards concentrated production areas and planning challenges for sustainable growth.

The capital city has converted over 40,227 hectares of rice land to new production models. These include more than 15,600ha dedicated to high-quality rice cultivation, nearly 3,000ha allocated for safe vegetable production, around 7,400ha used for fruit tree cultivation, and 285 high-tech agricultural production models spanning various fields.

Actelis Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASNS) (“Actelis” or the “Company”), a market leader in cyber-hardened, rapid deployment networking solutions for IoT and broadband applications, today announced that it has secured a significant new order for the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). This milestone further cements Actelis’ role in critical infrastructure modernization across the U.S. and globally, following recent wins in Washington, D.C., San Jose and major international cities.

Selected to upgrade and expand Seattle’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) as part of a key asset refresh, Actelis’ hybrid-fiber networking technology will power essential traffic management applications, including signals, cameras, congestion monitoring systems, and dynamic messaging signs. Seattle, recently named the smartest city in the U.S., has long relied on Actelis’ solutions for secure, high-speed connectivity, underscoring the city’s confidence in Actelis’ ability to deliver innovative, cost-effective infrastructure.

Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) was selected to receive a grant of Rs 5 crore under the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) programme. This grant is a part of central govt’s initiative to enhance sustainable urban development across the country.

The IPSCDL stated that this grant would be utilised for various initiatives under CITIIS 2.0 to address climate action through a structured, multi-component plan.

Resident Associations are made up of professionals and talents with the capacity to drive Nairobi's transformation into a modern, smart city.

The government has been urged to collaborate with Resident Associations (RAs) to digitize operations and services as part of efforts to transform Nairobi into a smart, 24-hour economy city.

Jubilee Holdings Ltd Group CEO Julius Kipng’etich emphasized that Resident Associations are made up of professionals and talents with the capacity to drive Nairobi’s transformation into a modern, smart city.

Many City Council members said they can’t ignore the prospect of Dallas getting up to an estimated $3 million a year for 150 of the electronic advertising stands despite strong opposition.

Dallas will move forward with plans to consider adding digital kiosks on sidewalks around the city, which could include paying nearly $1 million to get rid of existing nonelectronic stands before their 2028 contract end date.

Milton Keynes City Council has outlined three initiatives as part of a smart city action plan.

While not yet publishing the full plan, it has said it will support the Tech, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy and is expected to be approved next week.

The first element is the enhancement of partnership, including the locally based Open University, through the MK:Smart programme.

After years of delays, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is moving forward with a Rs 94 crore project to install 75,000 LED streetlights. A public-private partnership will handle installation and maintenance. This initiative aims to reduce the city's electricity bill by 47% and address long-standing resident complaints about inadequate lighting.

The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is set to proceed with the installation of LED streetlights, provided all arrangements go forward as intended. The corporation has begun the process to install 75,000 LED streetlights, with an investment of Rs 94 crore through a public-private partnership model.

Improved municipal decision-making in the Philippines

The town of Angat in the Philippines faces a number of urban management challenges. Thanks to the ‘Smart Angat’ solution developed by RASA Surveying and SuperMap, the Angat municipal government officials will benefit from more effective decision-making processes supporting taxation, planning, development and disaster preparedness, among other things.

The decision to hand over responsibility for the system to the Smart City Company will be finalized in the upcoming meeting of its board of directors as confirmed by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Additional Commissioner Prithviraj B. P

In a surprising turn, Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL) has decided to continue managing the ‘Adaptive Traffic Management System’ (ATMS) for the next five years, reversing earlier plans to hand over the project to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Now, PMC will pay maintenance charges to PSCDCL as per an agreement. The ATMS launched by PSCDCL with help of PMC aims to reduce traffic congestion in Pune by synchronizing traffic signals, making it a critical component of the city’s smart infrastructure initiatives.

The Vietnam-Asia Smart Cities Summit 2024 highlights strategies for digital transformation and sustainable urban development, drawing lessons from global successes.

Developing smart cities is not merely about advancing technology but creating sustainable societies centered on people. This perspective, emphasized by RMIT Vietnam expert Associate Professor Nguyen Quang Trung, calls for a comprehensive approach that integrates governance, sustainability, and inclusivity.

West Bengal's Transport Department, through its ‘Yatri Sathi App’, as developed by the IT&E Department, has launched digital bus ticket booking services for the buses operated by WBTC.

This new feature is currently available on 12 pilot routes connecting the airport.

It will expand to cover the entire WBTC network in Kolkata soon.

The government should apply the concept of smart cities in Sindh, as modern technology has made it possible to develop our major and secondary cities and towns swiftly, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday.

He said there are several benefits of smart cities. They the potential to significantly improve the level of transport available across the city. They improve the ability to better manage traffic, track public transportation and better serve the citizens with consistent information and lower prices.

The much-awaited CCTV-based surveillance and traffic management system has been made operational at 11 points in Mohali and is in test mode. “Work is in progress at five more points, while four points will be made operational soon,” said additional deputy commissioner (general and urban development) Viraj S Tidke.

Tidke assessed the progress of CCTV installation under the City Surveillance & Traffic Management System with MC commissioner T Benith and GMADA additional chief administrator (ADA) Amarinder Singh Tiwana. Jaswinder Singh, executive engineer of Punjab Police Housing Corporation, briefed the ADC and other officers on the progress of the installation of CCTVs.

Tallinn’s 2025 budget emphasises the principles of the approach and an analysis of the spatial distribution of services. The City reports it will enable more efficient planning for new kindergartens, schools, and services for seniors, improving accessibility and aligning with community needs.

The proposed budget allocates €6.1m to urban planning operations for the coming year. Key priorities include shaping Tallinn’s spatial identity through comprehensive plans, directing the development of urban and mobility centres, and enhancing street spaces into high-quality public environments.

In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said more than 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed and 713 kilometres of cycle tracks developed in 100 smart cities so far.

Thirteen out of 100 smart cities have completed all their projects, while 48 cities have achieved over 90 per cent completion under the Smart Cities Mission, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday. In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said more than 84,000 CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed and 713 kilometres of cycle tracks developed in 100 smart cities so far.

To accelerate infrastructure development to support seamless public transport services in city A. Sreenivas, Chief Executive Officer of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), chaired a review meeting of the Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by senior officers of GMCBL and officials of Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) Ltd.

MyKad and MyDigital ID upgrades announced

The Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama, will take a significant role supporting the country’s digital transformation, as it focuses on promoting safe and responsible internet use.

This will come not only from delivering news but in educational initiatives and raising public awareness on navigating the digital landscape. “It is crucial for the public to understand how to navigate the digital landscape wisely and safely,” Bernama CEO Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said.

“We don’t need AI or big data to tell us with much greater detail how screwed we are as a city or as a planet,” Rohit Aggarwala said at Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Summit last week.

City leaders don’t need artificial intelligence-driven technologies to tell them they have a climate change problem, at least in the eyes of Rohit Aggarwala, New York City’s chief climate officer.

Once several were damaged, local officials decided they needed to clarify what these sensors were and weren’t. Last year, the town posted a small sign beneath many clarifying their function.

Not everyone welcomed, or perhaps understood, the sensors.

“People at first thought they were cameras,” Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley said. “So, people were damaging them because they didn’t want to be filmed.”

The NICDC is developing these industrial smart cities with a "plug-and-play" system. Under this model, entrepreneurs will have access to all manufacturing-related facilities in one place, already set up and ready to use.

Following the government’s announcement to create a robust manufacturing ecosystem, land has been acquired from state governments in 10 states, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, for the development of 12 industrial smart cities. Work on building the necessary infrastructure is set to begin in March next year. These projects are targeted for completion within the next three years. The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) is now initiating the process of selecting construction agencies for these projects.

Muscat governorate is undergoing a transformative phase with a series of ambitious projects aimed at enhancing development and the tourism landscape, according to Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat.

One of the standout projects is development of Sultan Haitham City, Oman’s first integrated smart city, spanning 14mn sqm.

Polokwane's Vision 2030 was launched to guide the city's long-term development with the vision aiming to transform Polokwane into a modern smart city.

Members of the mayoral committee of the Polokwane Municipality gathered in Mookgophong last Monday for a two-day Mayco strategic session where municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni presented a clear vision for the future of Polokwane.

The presentation highlighted both the city’s opportunities and challenges as it moves toward its ambitious Vision 2030 goals.

TAWAL and 5SKYE partnered at Connected World KSA to deploy smart poles and micro-edge data centers, enabling 5G, IoT, and cost-efficient smart city solutions.

At the Connected World KSA event, TAWAL and 5SKYE signed a pivotal agreement to advance smart pole deployment and micro-edge data centers in Saudi Arabia. The signing, witnessed by Eng. Bassam AlBassam, Deputy Minister for Telecom and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, underscores a shared commitment to enabling smart city solutions.

Smart city indicator tools have become essential for governments around the world to measure the effectiveness and competitiveness of their smart city initiatives. These tools range from globally recognized frameworks, such as the IMD Smart City Index, to indicators tailored to national and cultural contexts, such as Japan's SCI-Japan Liveable Well-Being City Index or the Thailand Smart City Competitiveness Index by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA). These systems are crucial in supporting policy formulation and guiding strategic initiatives for smart city development.

During the leading 5G ecosystem event in Europe, Techritory, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to commit to forming a European Metacities Partnership.

The Memorandum was signed by 15 public and private organizations from six European countries – Latvia, Greece, Bulgaria, Belgium, Finland, and Cyprus. By signing the MoU, the organizations have expressed their commitment to fostering greater collaboration and developing joint Metacity initiatives around Europe, as well as forming a European Metacities Partnership association in the future.

Number part of 1,500 AI-enabled cameras under Johor Safe initiative, says exco member

Installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that utilise artificial intelligence (AI) are part of efforts to bring a unified smart infrastructure across Greater Johor Baru, says a state exco member.

Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said 995 of 1,500 such CCTV cameras are already in operation in key areas around Greater Johor Baru, with the rest to be installed within the next two years as part of the Johor Safe initiative.

Key projects included plans for a railway underpass, overpass, the BRTS Road to the railway station and bridges from Singh Nagar and Rajarajeswari Peta to Errakattu to ease traffic congestion.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath stated that the challenges faced by citizens would be resolved through joint efforts by the Central and State governments.

He, along with West Constituency MP Sujana Chaudhary, held a review meeting with Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra and departmental heads at the VMC’s command control room on Tuesday.

In South Africa, the vision of smart cities is more than just an aspiration – it’s a potential solution to some of the country’s most pressing urban challenges.

From traffic congestion to unreliable water supply and waste management inefficiencies, municipalities are struggling to deliver essential services to a growing population. While some regions have made progress with isolated projects, such as public bike-sharing schemes or ‘smart’ waste bins, these piecemeal efforts fall short of the true potential of smart cities.

Strategic collaboration seeks to accelerate adoption of smart city projects in the US with engineering solutions across mobility, sustainability and tech.

The Colorado Smart Cities Alliance (CSCA) has announced a strategic collaboration with L&T Technology Services, an engineering, digital and R&D services provider.

This partnership aims to drive innovation and technology integration in smart city development projects across the state of Colorado.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Dahod district of Gujarat has achieved remarkable progress as part of India's Smart Cities Mission, a press release said.

Launched in June 2015, the mission aims to transform urban areas by improving infrastructure, and quality of life, and promoting sustainable growth. Under the mission, a state-of-the-art Integrated command and control centre has been developed at Dahod for Rs 121 cr.

High above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centerpiece of Greece’s future “smart city” look out over the Saronic Gulf.

At their feet, construction machinery stirs up dust.

Its backers say the 8 billion euro (US$8.43 billion) project financed by private funds is a symbol of Greece’s renaissance after the years of financial stagnation that saw investors flee the country.

The city of San Diego unveiled the first of more than 50 brand new kiosks scattered through downtown on Friday, aiming to help people better navigate the area and interact with local businesses.

Known as the Interactive Kiosk Experience, these wayfinding touchscreens have myriad features, encompassing transit, dining, entertainment, safety resources and city services.

The dual-sided kiosks, which are operated by IKE Smart City, can be found in 15 other cities across the country, including Houston, Miami, Atlanta and Baltimore.

Will take innovative ideas to scale and commercialise

Chosen to lead the Sustainable Cities Centre of Excellence (CoE) in AI on October 15, as part of the Ministry of Education’s initiative 'Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India’, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) prepares to start actual work in Phase II starting January 1, 2025.

Academic partners in the project also include IISc Bengaluru, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Gandhinagar, IIIT Delhi, NIT Calicut and Princeton University. Adani Total Gas Limited, Adani Electricity, Tata Consultancy Services and Multi Modal Transport Solutions Startups are also part of the coalition.

Qatar wrapped up yesterday its participation in the Cityscape Global 2024 exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Minister of Municipality H E Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah chaired the Qatari delegation to the four-day event.

Addressing the conference, Al Attiyah detailed the Qatar National Vision 2030, along with the key underway projects to create a sustainable society based on the knowledge economy. He highlighted the Ministry of Municipality’s commitment to ensure the alignment of the country’s urban planning with the economic and social development goals - which improves the quality of life and sustainability.

When we step back from high emotions—in either direction—after the U.S. election last week, we see millions of extraordinary people doing yeoman’s work to make our lives, cities, and communities better and more resilient. Hundreds of ways they are doing so were on vivid display at the Smart Cities Expo World Congress 2024 last week in Barcelona, Spain which I had the privilege of exploring. People from across the globe who share a fervent desire to make our cities run more efficiently, serve more residents more effectively and be more resilient – that is, to make them “smarter” — gathered and displayed their solutions.

It's a living reminder that clever, determined, creative people will always use their imagination, resources, networks and elbow grease to find a way to solve every day challenges both large and small. Most of the people I talked to at the Expo – from the Netherlands, to Cyprus and Singapore, from Europe to the Middle East, and fellow Americans – are quick to say their work continues no matter who sits in the White House.

As urban areas in India rapidly expand, the need for sustainable development becomes increasingly critical. By 2050, it is estimated that nearly 68% of the global population will reside in cities, putting immense pressure on infrastructure, resources, and the environment. In India, where cities are experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation, this urgency is amplified. Urbanization is not just changing the physical landscape; it is reshaping the social, economic, and environmental aspects of urban life.

India’s urban population is projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2030, putting immense pressure on key resources such as housing, transportation, water, and energy. To address this growing challenge, the country is prioritizing sustainable urban development to minimize environmental impact and improve the quality of life in cities. The integration of green infrastructure, advanced technologies, and efficient urban planning is seen as a critical solution for creating sustainable, resilient, and liveable urban environments. Initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission are core to this strategy, aiming to modernize urban infrastructure using sustainable practices.

In an increasingly digital world, the right connectivity is essential for meeting the complex needs of modern businesses.

But looking beyond its application in everyday business use, connectivity is also paramount for enabling the innovative technologies powering modern smart cities.

To provide context for those who haven't followed the meteoric rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), in 2023, there were 15.9 billion IoT devices connected globally. By 2030, that figure is forecast to more than double.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where roughly 60% of people still live in rural areas urbanisation is occurring faster than anywhere else in the world. The temptation to build new cities on greenfield sites, away from existing city centres is enormous.

Alison Groves, director: discipline lead: built ecology and WSP in Africa and Hlologelo Manthose, built ecology: sustainability consultant at WSP in Africa, are advocates for retrofitting buildings to make them more sustainable – environmentally, socially and economically – across Africa’s cityscapes.

The pilot aims to modernise the current system to protect vulnerable road users who are walking, biking and using transit while improving transit operations.

The City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDoT) and the Department of (DoF) have announced the launch of the Smart Streets Pilot programme to enforce illegal parking.

The initiative using camera technology to enhance enforcement of parking and standing violations in bus and bike lanes downtown. It aims to modernise the current system to protect vulnerable road users who are walking, biking and using transit while improving transit operations.

NEOM has announced architecture and engineering partners to help complete Phase 1 of The Line in Saudi Arabia

NEOM has announced the appointment of world-leading partners to deliver the core city planning, design and engineering for the first phase of THE LINE, the linear smart city under construction in NEOM.

NEOM said Delugan Meissl Associate Architects (DMAA), Gensler and Mott MacDonald are collaborating with THE LINE’s design, development and project delivery teams to provide urban design, planning consultancy and infrastructure design for the first phase of the city.

The strength of South Korean companies lies in offering comprehensive IT solutions

Tampere, Finland’s second-largest city and a former industrial center, is undergoing significant infrastructure revitalization. The “Nokia Arena,” inaugurated three years ago, has become a flagship of this renewal. With a capacity of 15,000, it stands as Finland’s largest ice hockey venue and integrates a hotel, an indoor performance space, and a variety of restaurants. The arena showcases cutting-edge visual technology, including large-scale LEDs, transparent OLEDs, video walls, and commercial displays, all supplied by LG Electronics. The company is also assessing the potential of installing electric vehicle charging (EVC) stations and implementing robotic solutions in the city.

Despite the state government frequently making ambitious announcements about high-tech projects, the execution of these promises often falls short.

From skywalks and electric buses to smart roads, projects are hyped with tech-savvy language, but when it comes to implementation of these projects, visible progress remains lacking.

Months after the skywalk from Barik to Police Bazaar was announced, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma revealed that the government could not go ahead with the project due to traffic being affected in the area.

Real estate is like the foundation of a smart city. Technology would not be anywhere without well-planned buildings and spaces.

Smart cities are gradually shifting from dreams into reality, and real estate is a key enabler of this new phenomenon. However, what does a smart city mean? It is a city that applies everyday technology to aspects such as transport, power, and the general living standards of the city’s populace.

Long Beach has continued its efforts to improve the lives of all Long Beach residents by making technology more accessible to address community needs.

The city has launched community technology pilot programs in four Long Beach neighborhoods as part of its Smart Cities Initiative – which advances solutions to civic challenges by engaging the community, staff and private sector to explore and implement emerging technology.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out self-service kiosks across the city that allow residents to renew their driving licenses in just three minutes. A video recently showcased a Dubai resident using one of these kiosks, with the entire renewal process completed quickly and seamlessly. The initiative offers a modern solution to save time and cut down on queues at RTA centers.

Multiple Services, All in One Place

The RTA has installed 32 of these kiosks in 21 locations, including the main RTA headquarters, customer happiness centers, and high-traffic areas like Tasjeel in Al Barsha. The kiosks provide around-the-clock access to 28 different digital services beyond just license renewals, including vehicle licensing, driver services, parking, and even nol card management.

Smart city technology can save transportation agencies money and inform conversations with the public, says a white paper by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

“Every city is struggling to manage traffic,” said Doug Gilmour, TomTom’s global business development manager for traffic and travel products.

Last year, traffic on U.S. roads exceeded pre-pandemic levels and was the highest on record dating back to 1998, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Mapmaking company TomTom named New York City; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; Boston and Chicago as the top five most congested cities in 2023. Drivers in these large cities each lost anywhere from 72 hours to over 100 hours per year in rush-hour traffic.

The central city plans to set up QR codes on signals of all streets, providing information and history, as well instructions for local residents and tourists, following a three-year pilot project in Sơn Trà district.

It’s part of the progress of the city’s digitalisation, outlined in the Master Plan in building Đà Nẵng into a ‘smart’ city in 2030-45 period.

• MTN, ZTE, Weskus, and Aizatron showcase the transformative impact of 5G technology on smart cities and maritime communications
• An MOU was signed to advance 5G-enabled smart city development and AI-based solutions, marking a significant milestone for South Africa's urban innovation

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, in collaboration with MTN, Weskus, and Aizatron, has hosted the 5G innovation event – "Unfolding the Intelligent Potential: Tech for a Better Tomorrow" in Langebaan, West Coast. This landmark gathering emphasized the transformative role of 5G technology in advancing smart cities and innovative applications, attracting key industry leaders from South Africa's technology sector.

The Triangle Plus Connected Communities Conference was held again last week, thanks to the leadership of Raleigh Smart City manager, John Holden, and his team.

City and community leaders, business leaders, and techies all joined together to celebrate the “smart city” momentum.

ThoughtLab is launching its latest global study of 250 cities that shows how city leaders are advancing their social, sustainability and economic goals.

A select group of cities are jumping ahead when it comes to being “future ready,” according to a global study, conducted by thought leadership research company ThoughtLab.

From Future Vision to Urban Reality is being launched at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, which runs from 5-7 November.

Beyon Group’s cutting-edge “Digital City” will reshape Bahrain’s digital landscape by 2030

In a significant push towards digital transformation, Beyon Group has announced its ambitious plans to develop a “Digital City” in Hamala, Bahrain.

This expansive 380,000-square-meter project was unveiled at the Gateway Gulf Forum 2024, held at the Four Seasons Bahrain, signaling a major advancement in Bahrain’s journey toward Vision 2030.

Countries are making significant investments in smart city applications. According to one survey, consumers spend 70% of their time on transportation, making smart traffic management a lucrative opportunity for a variety of firms. Smart parking management systems integrated with charging stations have gained popularity, with businesses such as Acer and Asustek Computer targeting this market through their respective affiliates.

Peter Wu, general manager of Asus Cloud and Taiwan Web Service (TWSC), sees significant potential in the use of smart parking poles. These not only provide roadside parking but can also collect data within smart cities via AIoT. TWSC, an Asustek subsidiary, seeks to deliver integrated one-stop system services, according to Wu.

The Kakinada Smart City Project launched in 2015 with a big bang has not yielded the desired results even after nearly a decade. One can see the promised “smartness” nowhere in the port city, even after crores of rupees have been spent on the project.

Government of India launched Smart Cities mission aimed at creating sustainable and inclusive cities, with core infrastructure that provides a decent quality of life to its citizens, apart from a clean and sustainable environment.

Indonesia has presented three key elements in the development of smart cities in the country as well as ideas for the integration of ASEAN smart city development.

Indonesia has presented three key elements in the development of smart cities in the country as well as ideas for the integration of ASEAN smart city development.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary Eleazar E. Ricote served as a resource speaker at the workshop on “Exploring Strategic Collaboration Between Finland and the Philippines Through Smart Technologies in Smart City & Infrastructure” on October 24, 2024, at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati City. This workshop brought together stakeholders from both countries to discuss collaborative opportunities in infrastructure development, focusing on transportation and mobility advancements in the Philippines.

In his opening remarks, Asec. Ricote highlighted the role of PPPs in attaining the country’s developmental goals. He stressed the enactment of Republic Act No. 11966, or the PPP Code of the Philippines, as one of the main drivers of the Philippine government to expedite infrastructure development and economic growth in the country.

Madurai Corporation aims to reduce illegal waste dumping along the Vaigai River by installing 38 surveillance cameras on the riverbank and 100 more at high-waste sites in the city. Stricter regulations for meat shops and fines for violators will be enforced. Additional measures include a proposed sewage treatment plant and riverfront development.

The Madurai Corporation plans to install 38 surveillance cameras to curb illegal waste dumping on the banks of the river Vaigai . Another 100 cameras will be placed at other high-waste dumping sites across the city to monitor and reduce pollution.

The IKN Nusantara Authority (OIKN) and seven technology companies from the United States have collaborated to develop the Phase II Command Center concept in the Indonesian capital city of Nusantara (IKN), East Kalimantan.

Deputy for green and digital transformation of OIKN, Professor Mohammed Ali Berawi, expressed optimism over the support from the United States Government.

The smart city project's public bicycle initiative in Hubballi remains inaccessible to numerous residents across various parts of the city. Despite multiple requests from individuals and organisations seeking the bicycle-sharing facility in their neighbourhoods, the authorities have not taken any concrete steps to address these demands.

Certain locations with existing bicycle stations show low utilisation rates, so officials have identified these underperforming spots but have not relocated them to areas with high demand. Residents from Old Hubballi, Siddaroodha Mutt, Old bus terminal and market areas have consistently requested bicycle stations, yet the administration has shown no interest in transferring the facilities to these locations where they are most needed.

The Muang Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality prepares a suite of online services for residents’ convenience as part of its smart city set-up

The Muang Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality will next year provide online services to residents as part of its smart city development, which kicked off in 2021, a deputy mayor said.

Chatree Wongwibulsin, deputy mayor of Korat municipality, said on Thursday that the Korat Smart City project has progressed a lot with several online services ready for use next year.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the approval of the master plan for "Dibrugarh Vision-2045," an initiative aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to transforming cities nationwide into smart urban centers. Sonowal emphasized that this visionary project is part of the Prime Minister’s broader ambition to foster advanced, sustainable urban development across India, with Dibrugarh positioned as a key focus in Assam.

“Dibrugarh Vision-2045” was unveiled today, showcasing an ambitious framework that has received approval following close coordination with the Assam government. The plan outlines a roadmap for enhancing urban infrastructure, smart technology integration, and sustainable development practices within the city. Sonowal underscored the government’s dedication to Dibrugarh’s progress, stating, “We are fully committed to the development of Dibrugarh, and we look forward to seeing it evolve into a model smart city that aligns with PM Modi's urban vision for India."

Wasl enables digitally signing lease contracts with UAE PASS

• UAE PASS digital signatures ensure secure and authenticated transactions, providing enhanced security and peace of mind.
• Reduce lease processing time by up to 80% with fast and efficient digital signatures.

Indonesia presented three key elements in the development of smart cities in the country as well as ideas for the integration of ASEAN smart city development.

Amran, Indonesia's National Representative of the ASEAN Smart City Network, outlined the three elements, namely inclusive and culturally-aware livable cities; resilient green cities with strong public order and community protection; as well as digital-based government services to spur community welfare.

Anticipating a massive influx of devotees for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a toll-free helpline for train passengers.

Anticipating a massive influx of devotees for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a toll-free helpline for train passengers.

The Prayagraj Railway Division has introduced this helpline to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel experiences for millions of pilgrims.

Urban areas in South Africa are rapidly evolving, necessitating modern solutions to tackle multiple challenges, from resource management to environmental sustainability. The concept of smart cities has gained significant traction globally, and South Africa is no exception, with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ambitious Lanseria Smart City project paving the way.

If successful, this development can demonstrate the intersection of technology and urban planning, and it reflects how tech giants like Asus Business, with its suite of business technology solutions, are crucial in realising such visions.

In the city of Brownsville, Texas, Nokia and NTT DATA have delivered private 5G for a range of smart city applications

From a technological perspective, the variety of cellular-enabled solutions that could be present in a city is effectively open-ended; given this complex and vast addressable market, the digital transformation from city to smart city has been slower than in other areas. However, as business models, ecosystems, strategies and tech stacks have evolved, smart cities could be poised for a break out—in fact, Nokia and NTT DATA recently announced a global, joint go-to-market partnership focused on bringing private 5G connectivity to bear on a wide range of smart city use cases across airports and cities.

Microsoft’s Didier Ongena explains how generative AI, digital twins and the cloud are helping governments and city leaders to optimise operations and deliver better services to citizens

Every public sector employee in the UK spends more than eight hours per week managing data and performing routine administrative tasks, according to Microsoft’s 2024 Harnessing the Power of AI for the Public Sector report. The research shows that 45 per cent of respondents are “drowning in unnecessary administrative tasks”, with 55 per cent saying this workload negatively impacts their ability to get on with the day job, and nearly half indicating it compromises the quality of service they provide and limits how long they can spend directly interacting with the public.

At the Viet Nam Digital Government Summit 2024 recently organised by the International Data Group (IDG) Viet Nam, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Digital Communications Association (VDCA) and related units in Da Nang management agencies and experts exchanged ideas and solutions for comprehensive information technology (IT) development, promoting the construction of an e-Government system, and implementing digital government, building a smart city in Da Nang in particular.

Promoting digital pillars

Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Administrative Procedure Control (Government Office) Nguyen Duy Hoang said that administrative procedure reform aims to facilitate people and businesses, cut costs related to unnecessary procedures and focus on people and businesses.

StarAgile, a renowned institute in the UAE believes in learning and is at the forefront of integrating Agile methodology into smart city development highlighting its dedication to sustainable urban infrastructure. With the fading away of command and control-based traditional management, Agile through frameworks like scrum is being adopted as a preferred choice for complex projects. The Certified Scrum Master or CSM Certification offered by StarAgile is instrumental for professionals looking to excel in this transformative environment.

The CSM certification is for those who wish to construct their career within the scrum framework. It gives them the wherewithal to handle the project management in an efficient manner. "Becoming a Certified Scrum Master equips the individual to lead teams in the effective adoption of collaboration and continuous development toward product goals. This hands-on training enhances management skills and prepares professionals for the unique challenges of smart city projects," said an official from StarAgile.

Edinburgh City Council has approved its latest smart city strategy which incorporates plans to boost digital inclusion and sustainability.

The Digital and Smart City strategy 2024 – 2027 is aimed at accelerating the city’s technological transformation, and follows a previous strategy launched in 2020 which the council says has made “significant progress in using digital tools to improve the city’s infrastructure and services”.

Ethio Telecom is back in the news – this time via plans to launch a smart city project in Bahir Dar, capital city of the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia, following the deployment of commercial 5G services.

This week the state-owned company announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city's mayor to move forward with this initiative.