Given that a "knowledge city" uses information and communication technology (ICT) to facilitate everyday life, he said I-City could help the Selangor government achieve its aspiration to make the state capital a "knowledge city."
Eu, speaking on the second day of the 2nd International Symposium on Knowledge Cities here today, said I-City, which has already been named as Selangor's first MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) Cybercity outside Cyberjaya, is poised to bring direct and indirect benefits to the state.
These include attracting foreign direct investment and re-establishing Shah Alam as a premier location for foreign investors.
The proposed I-City development over some 30 hectares comprises shop offices, corporate office towers, three hotels, serviced apartments, a shopping mall and a smart school.
When running at full capacity, Eu estimated that I-City would have 50,000 knowledge workers and they would bring great economic spin-offs in terms of demand for accommodation and other economic services.
"The challenge in the development of I-City is how to translate Selangor's vision while at the same time retaining the advantages of it being a private sector project," said Eu.
Two key elements to achieve the vision of a "knowledge city" are the possession of basic infrastructure to provide connectivity, accessibility and security, and an environment that would support interoperable e-government applications to ensure wider participation by the people, he added.
Before Shah Alam can be transformed into a "knowledge city", he said, there must be favourable support from the state government in areas like laying the foundation for a broadband infrastructure, educating the public on life in the digital era, continued use of e-government programmes and provision of trade incentives.
Quelle/Source: Bernama, 17.07.2007
