According to the UN World Urbanization Prospects, over half of the world’s population (around 55 percent) live in urban areas, and this is expected to increase to 68 percent by 2030, which is adding another 2.5 billion to urban areas. This rapid urbanization has led to many problems including pollution, high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and traffic congestion. This is where smart cities come in, they are the way forward to improve the lives of citizens by bridging the gap between sustainability targets and urban development strategies.
As cities become more populated, it is high time for citizens, governments and all stakeholders to reimagine how to make their cities smarter, more liveable and sustainable. Of course, with the help of technology.
The government will invest 1.35 trillion baht to transform the eastern seaboard’s Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) into a regional financial hub and a world-class smart city by 2037, deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Thursday (Dec 29).
In the first 10 years, the focus will be developing the business and financial area, regional business offices, government offices, medical facilities, and educational centres, she said.
Read more: Massive investment planned for new Smart City in Thai Eastern Economic Corridor
Construction of a 5-billion-baht Silicon Tech Park, expected to be a model for Thai digital cities, is set to start next year in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) through a public-private partnership.
The project, dubbed the "Silicon Valley of the East" and co-developed by Planet Communications Asia Plc, Cisco and the EEC Office, is located on an area spanning 500-700 rai in Rayong's Ban Chang district.
Read more: TH: Rayong: Digital city planned for EEC next year
The Cabinet on Tuesday (Dec 20) approved the operational plan for a 1.35-trillion-baht business hub and smart city project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek (pic) said.
Under the plan, the city will be constructed by 2027 and developed as one of the world’s top 10 smart cities by 2037, said Ratchada.
Read more: Thai cabinet approves plans for EEC smart city project
Agency wants to level up community skills Equipping people with digital skills in local communities, stimulating a 5G ecosystem and supporting digital content as a means of soft power are among eight projects the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) aims to pursue in 2023 to improve the country's digital landscape. These projects are part of the third phase of Thailand's digital landscape development plan, which is geared towards full digital transformation. The third phase kicks off next year.