Images projected on buildings, sensory activated state-of-the-art lighting along the walkways, and ubiquitous Internet access... This is not Vegas; it is set happen in the Klang Valley in 2008.
Located along the Federal Highway in Shah Alam, the entire development is connected via high-speed broadband, both wired and wireless.
RM40mil will be spent on ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure that will ultimately make the whole 72 acres a wireless hotspot.
A wireless network has its benefits because interactive kiosks, cameras and other wireless-enabled devices can be deployed with relative ease.
Other wireless devices will be installed in public spaces to make life easier for citizens, including devices for security and traffic monitoring, and for parking payments.
But enough WiMAX-speak, i-City is a 72-acre ICT-based urban township that features a 1,000ft pedestrian street mall (called "CityWalk"), houses, shop offices, corporate offices, a retail mall, serviced residences, a hotel, an innovation centre and an intelligent school.
Digital community
The entire project will take eight to 10 years but the first phase will be completed by the end of next year, according to I-Berhad chief executive officer Eu Hong Chew.
Even at this juncture, visitors and tenants will already experience ‘intelligent life' in action.
Eu claims that in 2007, CityWalk will come to life with its multimedia lights bouncing off the street pavement, buildings. "There will also be laser shows in the sky," Eu said.
"We are creating a comprehensive digital community with a RM40mil ICT infrastructure to allow for technologies and applications," he said.
i-City is in the process of obtaining Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status, and has been earmarked as a premier ICT hub for Selangor. i-City is combining the best practices of successful smart projects/cities around the world, Eu said.
i-City has already roped in Intel for its mega city, said Debjani Ghosh, country manager, Intel Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd.
"We are committed in working with i-Berhad to build a robust architecture in helping i-City to be realised. The collaboration will focus on the strategy of platform technologies that help enable day-to-day activities of people working and living in i-City," she said.
There will also be an Intel Showcase Centre that displays the latest technologies from Intel.
Other iCities
"We have studied existing smart communities and projects which currently stand-alone, and have amalgamated the best models and applications into a comprehensive digital framework for i-City," Eu said.
i-City is influenced by Belgium i-City (which offers wireless access via PDAs), Intel Westminster city in Britain (which offers surveillance and security) and Taipei, Taiwan which has wireless Internet connectivity.
The Belgian i-City project involves a number of mobile applications which are being developed and tested in two cities (Leuven and Hasselt).
Intel Westminster city offers CCTV cameras on a wireless network. The pilot currently allows CCTV cameras and noise monitoring equipment to be operated over a wireless network.
This means that the systems' operators can respond to new outbreaks of criminal activity, while new cameras and equipment can be installed at short notice and at low cost.
The Taipei City Government started the "Taipei Cyber City" initiative.
Its objectives are to improve information infrastructure, Internet education, e-government and automated public services.
The initiative was aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Taipei city government, improve the IT literacy of the public, and ultimately, improve the competitive edge of the city.
As all municipal agencies and schools in Taipei have ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) infrastructure in place, the "Taipei e-Services" website was launched to provide Taipei citizens many e-services (www.e-services.taipei.gov.tw).
140 types of applications now can be submitted online; around 700 forms are available for download, and 132 services have gone paperless and are available at one stop via four municipal databases.
Every month an average of more than 4,000 questions are handled through the mayor's e-mail.
Fanfare for the common man
"It's a place to see and experience digital technology in action," Eu said.
"It's community supported and facilitated by digital technology in every aspect of daily life," he continued. " You can make your grocery orders from your home and it will be delivered to your doorstep."
For example, Eu said there will a café which he thinks will be a hit among teenagers. "They can exchange greetings and messages with new friends over the large screen virtual messaging board while some others may be brushing up their skills at the e-gaming centre."
i-City will also help with your traffic woes. The system will capture your car number plate upon entry instead of issuing tickets. You will also be informed of available parking lots and there will be indicators directing you to your desired lot.
The residential component in i-City is the serviced residences. The security features in the home will be connected to the central control unit and it will be monitored around the clock.
The smart management facilities will also be able to inform the home owners of any utilities leakages, breakdowns, and other events.
For the corporate man
On the business front, i-City's facilities and amenities will appeal to MNCs (multinational corporations), business outsourcing operators, and Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers who will appreciate the level of sophistication and range of services that will support their business operations.
i-City's creators want to create a hub for skilled knowledge workers and an innovation hub for entrepreneurs to develop new technologies.
It will be a platform for companies to test and develop their products.
2007 will see the completion of the first phase of the development comprising 44 shop offices (CityPark), 80 rent-only retail suites, 73 retail suites (CityWalk).
"Simultaneously, with a shared network and fully connected digital office, tenants have the flexibility of mobile working, moving between the office spaces," Eu said.
I-Berhad will also offer business mentoring, the company said.
Intel will be offering small businesses shared services on a "pay-per-use" basis, via its Intel Digital Home and Office Solutions, which include accounting software and small business solutions.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Steven Patrick
Quelle/Source: The Malaysia Star, 12.12.2006
