IfG.CC - The Potsdam eGovernment Competence Center

Deal will put Rubicon’s smart city software at the heart of Phoenix’s Public Works Department, providing waste and recycling collection to some 418,000 locations.

The City of Phoenix, Arizona, has entered into a five-year smart city partnership with Rubicon Technologies for it to digitise and improve efficiencies across the City’s solid waste collection operation.

The face lift of Jammu city under the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) Project has imparted a ‘’smart look to the city of temples making it at par with any metro city of the country.

With the beautification of the markets, rotaries, flyovers, government buildings and offices, bus stands and parks, Jammu city is catching the eye of everyone reflecting a new charm added to it under the different works undertaken by the Jammu Smart City Project.

The man who created Sandy Springs, Georgia, has some advice for those who want to a build a metropolis in northern California. Peter Thiel’s floating city in French Polynesia. Elon Musk’s self-sustaining city on Mars. Bill Gates’ smart city in Arizona. Long before a host of the biggest players in Silicon Valley set their sights on creating a new city in Solano County, California, many billionaires thought they could start their own utopia. But one man, a retired AT&T executive from Georgia, has actually been able to do it—for better or for worse.

Data is important, but cities depend on infrastructure and people more than technology, says journalist

How smart are smart cities?

It's a simple question. But it isn't exactly easy to answer.

While smart technologies promise a safer city, and a sustainable and efficient way of living an urban life, the hype around smart cities can be a distraction from truly vital urban infrastructure, according to Toronto-based urban affairs journalist John Lorinc.

Confident Communications, a specialised marketing communications agency, is the new partner for the Romanian Smart City Association (ARSC), the primary independent authority in the Romanian Smart City industry. ARSC has taken on the mission of promoting the development of smart cities in the country by collaborating with public authorities and industry partners to implement innovative solutions that enhance the quality of life.

From 2016 to the present day, ARSC’s experts and professionals have contributed to the reinvention of cities and have undertaken large-scale projects, such as the Smart City Academy – the first such specialised course in Romania, the publication of Smart City Magazine – the first magazine dedicated to the industry, and the national program “Smart City Caravan” – conducted in the main regions of Romania. In almost 8 years of activity, ARSC has provided direct expertise in more than 100 communities and projects, working alongside a team of almost 40 experts – from the creation of Smart City, Smart County and Smart Village strategies to providing consultancy services and technology recommendations.

Smart City has been told to assess the impact on traffic of various changes being contemplated to the area’s masterplan and propose solutions.

The obligation is found in the terms of reference for a Traffic Impact Assessment issued by the Planning Authority.

The study is likely to determine whether the Smart City development, which is set to accommodate the American University of Malta’s campus and other residential institutions, will require a new access road.

The Ayyankali Hall-Zam Zam stretch will not only undergo blacktopping but will also be beautified, taking inspiration from the design of the Manaveeyam stretch. The construction of two significant smart road projects in the capital is set to commence next week. These projects, namely the Ayyankali Hall (formerly VJT Hall) to Zam Zam stretch and the Spencer-AKG Centre stretch are part of the Smart City Mission scheme and have been pending for a considerable period. The contract for both projects has been awarded to Kochi-based Tech Mantra.

The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) has made Smart City a strategic initiative to address key challenges in making cities in Malaysia more productive, competitive, sustainable and livable for current and future generations.

Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the nation’s urbanisation rate has tripled over five decades from 28.4 per cent in 1970 to 75.1 per cent in 2020 and is projected to reach 85 per cent by 2040, which is stipulated under the 4th National Physical Plan (NPP-4).

City of Mesa’s Transportation Department is expanding use of UrbanLogiq’s traffic data analytics platform, adding its crash analysis tool to its capabilities.

The City of Mesa, Arizona, has announced a five-year contract renewal with UrbanLogiq underpinning its continuing commitment to using traffic data analytics to improve road safety.

The entire procession of Ganpati immersion will for the first time be monitored from the command-and-control room at the city police commissionerate.

The Nashik Smart City Cell has completed installation of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at eight chowks and spots that are part of the procession route.

More details about the Kigali Green City pilot project expected to be set up on some 600 hectares in the Kinyinya suburb of Gasabo district have emerged.

The features of this futuristic city were showcased at the September 6-8 Africa Smart City Investment Summit, held in Kigali. During the summit, Kigali was announced as Africa's premier smart city with promising smart city solutions according to the 2023 African Smart City Index.

The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) has made Smart City a strategic initiative to address key challenges in making cities in Malaysia more productive, competitive, sustainable and livable for current and future generations.

Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the nation’s urbanisation rate has tripled over five decades from 28.4 per cent in 1970 to 75.1 per cent in 2020 and is projected to reach 85 per cent by 2040, which is stipulated under the 4th National Physical Plan (NPP-4).

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host three global events from Sept. 25 to 26 to highlight its smart city vision.

According to the city government, Sunday, the events will feature the Seoul Smart City Prize, the Seoul City Forum and the sixth general meeting of world smart sustainable cities organization WeGO.

In a three-week international development program on project and risk management, delegates visited to the Ujjain Smart City Project Mahakal Mahalok.This educational program was organized and conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, supported by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The delegates from Cote D'Ivoire, Algeria, Cameroon, Gambia, Nigeria, Togo, South Sudan, Uzbekistan, Comoros, South Africa, Iraq, Republic of Sao Tome, Ecuador, Myanmar, Laos, Uganda, Tajakistan, Mongolia, Mali, Cambodia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Ethopia, Ghana, Burundi, Palestine, Mozambique, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Madagaskar and Sierra Leone were briefed about the valuable insights into project management techniques and risk mitigation strategies, with a special focus on the Ujjain Smart City Project.

The increasing connectivity of cities through IoT devices presents a remarkable opportunity

At the heart of the smart city concept lies a fundamental vision—to harness the power of information and communication technology (ICT) to tackle urban challenges head-on and build a connected, technologically advanced, and sustainable infrastructure. This transformative vision took flight in India with the inception of the Smart Cities Mission on June 25, 2015, spearheaded by PM Modi. Since then, India has made remarkable strides, with 34 cities already designated as smart cities, and a goal of completing the remaining 66 by the end of this year. The government has also increased its allocation for the Smart Cities Mission to Rs 16,000 crore for FY24 against the allocation of Rs 14,100 crore in FY23.

"To achieve successful indigenization of 5G tech, the government, industry, and academia must work together to create a supportive ecosystem. This includes investment in research and development, fostering innovation, supporting startups, and promoting skill development in relevant fields. With a holistic approach, India can position itself as a 5G hub with sustainable and cutting-edge technologies, driving economic growth and digital transformation across the country," David says.

The African Smart Cities Investment Summit in Kigali which had over one thousand delegates, over eighty speakers, twenty-five sessions and over forty-nine sessions brought to the fore the importance and the necessity for African Smart Cities. The speakers from their own varied perspectives stated and alluded to the fact that cities cannot be built the way cities used to be conceptualised, developed and built. Cities need to be attuned with the realities of the 21st century. A smart city uses technology and data-driven solutions to improve the quality of life for its residents, enhance sustainability and maximise urban services. It was also stated that second and third cities have to be developed and built as smart cities.

As per reports, public Wi-Fi services at 10 locations in East Siang district were launched by Pasighat East MLA Kaling Moyong under the City Innovation Exchange of the Smart City Mission by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Moyong further hopes that this step will prove beneficial for the student community, business community and researchers.

Matthew Britt, General Manager (Smart Cities) at Honeywell Building Solutions, the driving force behind the Bangalore Safe City project, sheds light on the intricate nature of transforming existing urban landscapes into smart cities.

Eight years since Prime Minister Modi's ambitious Smart City Mission was first announced, the chief architect of the Bangalore Safe City project has acknowledged that building a smart city is a lot harder to pull off within existing infrastructure.

Ulez expansion is a significant step, but a standardised framework for e-bike parking and riding is also required to maximise its success, says Manish Kharel, general manager of Lime in London.

London’s efforts to improve air quality and encourage people to use sustainable modes of transport has been nothing short of ambitious. The city is leading the country, continent, and, indeed, the world in creating a healthy environment for people to live and work.

The government is keen on rolling out policies that will facilitate the establishment of smart cities in Tanzania. To start with, the government insisted that it had earmarked Dodoma as a potential smart city.

Fielding questions from reporters here on Wednesday, Deputy Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Kundo Mathew said it was high time the country turned to smart cities to enhance citizen and government engagement.

A new survey of 16,000 Americans helps illustrate the link between a local government’s use of technology, its transparency practices, its service offerings and how much trust it’s earned from residents.

Today’s demand from consumers for exceptional digital self-service and immersive engagement has become an all-encompassing influence, shaping their interactions with brands and corporations across industries and governing bodies alike.

Located in Al-Seeb, a district of Muscat, the new city will comprise over 2.9 million square meters of public space, 20,000 new homes of different scales and types, and smart urban mobility spanning 14.8 million square meters.

SOM’s vision also transforms an existing 7.5-kilometre-long dry river – a wadi – that runs through the site. Harnessing natural water from flooding, the wadi is reinvented into a spectacular public green park that provides an interconnected network of open spaces and shaded plazas to encourage outdoor activity and social exchange.

Each of the 2.40 lakh properties within JMC limits are being geo tagged and given a unique digital door number.

An Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to ensure the smooth online delivery of various services to citizens, a digital door numbering system with unique QR codes and geo coordinates for each residential and commercial property, a fleet of e-buses and a smart public bicycle sharing system – these are some of the features of the ongoing project aimed at transforming Jammu into a smart city, the first phase of which is set to be completed next year.

Wellington City Council is preparing to roll out a new monitoring network to collect data on active transport to better inform effective, evidence-based decision-making in a cost-effective way.

Data collected by the new traffic counting sensors will include counts of different types of road users, paths of travel, and travel speeds, including cars, trucks, bicycles, scooters, buses and pedestrians.

Smart cities are becoming a reality rather than a concept, and integrating technology into everyday infrastructure has become a norm.

They present local authorities with a vast number of opportunities, including data-driven decision-making, enhanced engagement between citizens and the government and a reduced environmental footprint.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif on Saturday said that the taxation system is being digitalised and that it will help in documenting the economy.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that the IT sector had emerged as a vital contributor to the nation’s economy.

Introduction: The Convergence of IoT and AI In the fast-paced world of technology, two buzzwords that have captured the imagination of innovators and consumers alike are the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Though these two concepts have their unique trajectories, their convergence is setting the stage for a smarter, more connected future.

Officials of the local government unit of San Juan, Batangas, officially opened its new municipal building retrofitted with cutting-edge PLDT Enterprise connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions attesting to the municipality’s digital transformation journey and commitment to provide more effective and improved services to its constituents.

San Juan Mayor Ildebrando D. Salud shares his excitement about the completion of their new building and the implementation of PLDT Enterprise’s advanced solutions. “We will be able to better serve our constituents, communicate with them, and collaborate with each other more effectively with the help of this digital infrastructure,” Salud says. “We are thankful for the partnership we have with PLDT Enterprise, which has helped us get closer to becoming a Smart City. This allows our community to be more digitally inclusive, fostering a sustainable and progressive environment for all.”

The ambitious move by the nation also comes with cybersecurity risks.

Rwanda plans to modernize its infrastructure with a series of smart-city deployments that experts warn will drive fresh cybersecurity requirements.

Officials unveiled the Smart City Hubs concept at the Smart Cities Africa conference this week. The project aims to create pan-African collaboration on smart-city initiatives as well as further develop smart cities around the continent, with plans to build 100 smart cities by 2100.

Kigali emerged as Africa's premier smart city among the 30 cities featured in the 2023 African Smart City Index, a pioneering initiative designed to gauge the integration of digital infrastructure, sustainability measures, and innovative urban solutions in Africa's rapidly evolving urban centers.

The index unveiled on Wednesday, September 6, during the Africa Smart City Investment Summit held, in Kigali, focuses on the key categories most relevant to developing a sustainable and inclusive future for growing African cities.

Visitors to Dublin can enjoy some extra help touring the city after Dublin City Council announced the launch of a new augmented-reality (AR ) mapping feature that allows users of the Dublin Discovery Trails app to open up a 3D map of the capital on their device and allow them to explore the city in a new, innovative way.

DiscovAR Dublin uses new open Google Maps technology to form an interactive 3D map where users can be transported into the city to interact with the map to uncover Dublin landmarks, museums and attractions. Users can also learn more about the history and significance of locations such as the Guinness Storehouse, EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum and 14 Henrietta Street.

Economists have praised Siem Reap’s goal of becoming a smart city, which will harness technological and digital solutions to enhance the lives of both residents and visitors.

They anticipated a substantial increase in tourist numbers if the smart city initiative proves successful.

Agencies can share data through virtual replicas and demonstrate the inner workings of municipal systems.

Municipalities generate vast volumes of data, and digitally enabled smart cities go even further. They leverage the Internet of Things to gather information about traffic flows, population trends, water, sanitation and a range of other indicators.

What if you could pull all that together to make a virtual model of the whole city, with its many interconnected parts and pieces?

Company set to open UAE's first net zero building at Cop28 later this year, CEO says

Abu Dhabi's Masdar City plans to take advantage of the capabilities of artificial intelligence to create more efficient and smarter techniques to support the UAE capital's smart city agenda, its chief executive has said.

The sustainable research and development hub, part of Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar, aims to collect and analyse data in a "swift manner" to support its ambitions, Ahmed Baghoum told The National in an interview.

Gorilla Technology Group Inc. ("Gorilla") (NASDAQ: GRRR), a global provider of AI-based edge video analytics, IoT technologies, and cybersecurity, with the receipt of the advance payment from Government of Egypt, announced the official commencement of its ground-breaking project that will provide the Government of Egypt with a Smart Government Security Convergence solution. The project is a significant step forward for the country and will contribute to Egypt's Vision 2030 objectives.

"Driven by global threats, we are pushing the boundaries of cutting-edge technology innovation and progress for defence networks. We are thrilled to kickstart the project and embark on this journey. I am extremely proud of the Gorilla team and elated to share a profound commitment that beats at the heart of my endeavours, the unwavering dedication to transforming Egypt into a technological giant,” said Jay Chandan, Gorilla’s Chairman & CEO. “With our keystone project in Egypt progressing, we have begun generating revenue and cash flow, increasing our cash balance and providing ample runway to capitalize on the growth opportunities ahead of us.”

The Nusantara Capital City Authority (OIKN) collaborates with Finland's Smart City Innovation Cluster (SCIC) to make Indonesia's new capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan become a smart and happy city.

"We are very open to the participation of various parties from both inside and outside Indonesia," Deputy for Green and Digital Transformation of OIKN Mohammed Ali Berawi said.

It follows launch of the City Manager’s Performance Dashboard one year ago that displays more than 130 key metrics to provide a holistic view of its operations.

The City of Phoenix has announced it is seeking feedback from those who live and work in the city to help enhance its performance dashboard platform and help advancement of open data.

Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Evolution of Smart Cities

The evolution of smart cities is rapidly accelerating, thanks largely to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI). This cutting-edge technology is reshaping urban landscapes, enhancing efficiency, and improving the quality of life for city dwellers worldwide. As we delve into the profound influence of AI on smart city development, it becomes clear that the fusion of these two concepts is not only inevitable but also beneficial.

NEC Corporation India has launched the latest smart city project in Tirupati, India, on behalf of Tirupati Smart City Corporation Limited, in one of two projects expanding the use of facial recognition in the country.

NEC India will spearhead the implementation of information and communications technology (ICT) including facial recognition throughout the city, including establishing a City Operations Center (COC) in Tirupati, according to a company announcement. The ICT systems, which include integrated services and a unified command and control center, will facilitate real-time data collection and analysis and improve two-way communications. This digitalization effort will help to provide more efficient responses to issues related to safety, security, healthcare and environmental concerns, the company says. Furthermore, a city network infrastructure and on-premises data center will provide a data-backed decision-making process for the city.

Exploring the Transformation of Urban Mobility: The Integral Role of IoT in Smart City Transportation

The transformation of urban mobility is no longer a distant vision of the future, but a reality that is rapidly unfolding in cities across the globe. This transformation is being driven by the integral role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart city transportation. The IoT, a network of interconnected devices that communicate and exchange data, is revolutionizing the way we move around our cities, making transportation more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly.

Jason Mann, Vice President of IoT at SAS discusses how data is revolutionising cities across the globe by enforcing traffic management to reduce emissions

Over the past 20 years, the city of Istanbul in Turkey has doubled in size – making it twice as big as New York City, US. This rapid population growth has led to an increase in traffic in the city, and consequently, generated a great deal more data, too.

Hong Kong is trying to add another jewel to its crown - that of a global data hub. Experts say the city needs a dedicated government unit to oversee growth of the digital economy, beefing up data sharing, and supervising data crossing.

With the help of digital technologies, all business, economic, social and cultural activities are going online, which provides fresh business opportunities in a digital economy - one that operates predominantly by using digital technology, and which has emerged as the new driver for economic growth worldwide.

• Wavre, Belgium, got its city status in 1222 — but it's not frozen in time.
• It's integrating 5G into city services, such as energy management, to build a smarter city.
• The project also includes affordable or free 5G internet access for residents, depending on needs.

The Belgian city of Wavre has had its city status since 1222. But the 800-year-old conurbation isn't happy to live in the past. A technology project in partnership with the European Union could bring 5G to all aspects of Wavre residents' lives — and make energy systems within the city work smarter than before.

The "Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation" (Sidec) is set to take centre stage once again with its highly anticipated Selangor "Smart City & Digital Economy Convention" (SDEC).

Part of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS), the four-day convention will start on Oct 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, and promises to be a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and investment opportunities in the realm of smart cities and digital economies.

Neom’s intention is for the sector to enable access to a world-class education, research, and innovation ecosystem, no matter what stage of life the learner is at.

Neom, the sustainable development being built in northwest Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to establish an education, research, and innovation (ERI) sector to offer personalised and lifelong learning.

Nashville, Tenn., might be known for pioneering country music, but it’s also become a leader in a different type of orchestration: using artificial intelligence to improve citizens’ lives.

Last fall, Vanderbilt University, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and others formed the CIRCLES Consortium, using AI and deep learning to improve traffic flow within the rapidly congested city. Over 2,500 hours, 100 AI-equipped vehicles assessed traffic patterns, fuel economy, air quality and more on stretches of Interstate 24, one of many examples of state and local governments leveraging AI to deliver better experiences.

Thai Nguyen province in the northwest has made it onto the list of top performers nationwide in digital transformation, and is ready to do even more.

At a conference reviewing Vietnam’s 2023 digital transformation situation in Hanoi last month, for the second year in a row Thai Nguyen secured eighth position out of all localities nationwide in the digital transformation index.

US-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has unveiled masterplan proposals for a smart city project in Oman.

Known as Sultan Haitham City, the project spans 14.8 square kilometres and is located in the Al-Seeb district to the west of Muscat. According to media sources, the new city will have over 2.9 sq km of public space and 20,000 housing units catering to more than 100,000 people, as well as a university, schools, health facilities and mosques.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir VK Bidhuri on Monday said that every house, road and cultural heritage in Srinagar district will get Unique Identification Number which will help every person and authorities to identify the person or place without any hassle.

“Allotment of Unique ID is a process taken under the Smart City Project. In Srinagar it was earlier executed on trial basis and soon it will be extended beyond Srinagar too,” said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir VK Bidhuri.

The India Smart Cities Award Contest is organised under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs' Smart Cities Mission. It recognises and rewards cities, projects and innovative ideas that promote sustainable development across the 100 smart cities.

The Jammu Smart City Limited's e-Mobility project, including the deployment of eAutos and eRickshaws, has secured the India Smart Cities Awards Contest for 2022, an official said on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the winners on September 27 in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, the official said.

More than 300 high-ranking officials, experts gathered in person and online for the workshop on “Leveraging TVET system for Digital Skill development and Skill Mobility in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" on August 25.

The workshop provided an opportunity to share reflections after the collaboration, while inviting the international and national experts to share their insight on the priority areas for improvement in the skills development of Vietnamese workers.

The prime minister said that an updated version of the government application “Sanad”, currently offers 500 services and has half a million activated digital identity profiles

The digital transformation has so far digitalised and automated 960 government services, reaching a 40 per cent completion rate, according to Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh.

His remarks were made during the “A Year of Modernization” forum, which kicked off on Friday at the King Hussein Convention Centre at the Dead Sea.

The award was given by union minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Minister of Science and Technology Om Prakash Sakhlecha.

Bhopal Smart City Development Corporation has received National e-Governance Award 2023 for employing modern SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system for water supply. The award function was held in Indore on Friday.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasised the integral role of public cooperation in ensuring the success of the Safe City Project.

While reviewing the progress of the Safe City Project on Friday, the chief minister said that CCTVs should be compulsorily installed in commercial establishments, intersections, government and private hospitals as well as educational institutions.

Indore has bagged the best “National Smart City Award” for exemplary performance among the 100 smart cities in the fourth edition since the Central government started the contest. Surat and Agra have emerged as the second and third winners among cities.

The results for the fourth edition of India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) for 2022 were announced on Friday. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the results for 2021 could not be announced last year.

Adam Reiser, sales director, North America at Opendatasoft, explains how cities can liberate data from individual departmental silos so it can easily be used by all.

Thanks to falling costs, increasing capabilities and improving connectivity, cities have successfully rolled out extensive Internet of Things (IoT) sensor networks. At the heart of creating smart cities, these sensors cover a wide range of use cases, from mobility and public safety to flood warnings and energy monitoring.

The trial run of 6 e-buses procured under the smart city project began in Srinagar on Thursday. The trail run of these buses will take place from Lal Chowk to Nishat and will return via Foreshore road today.

CEO, Srinagar Smart City Limited, Athar Aamir Khan said that the trial run of e-buses has been started today.

UAE-based AI and data company Bayanat working with government on smart infrastructure

Abu Dhabi-based Bayanat, an artificial intelligence-powered geospatial data products and services provider, expects its recently announced space deal for satellites as well as its self-driving vehicles pilot programme to offer a significant boost to the emirate’s smart city ambition.

The company, which is majority owned by G42, is working on boosting its capabilities as part of efforts to work with the government to ensure that Abu Dhabi is “first in the world” when it comes to smart city infrastructure, Abdulla Al Shamsi, Bayanat’s chief operating officer, told The National.

NEOM is a new urban area planned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be built in its northwestern Tabuk Province. The area is bounded by the Red Sea to the south and the Gulf of Aqaba to the west. NEOM's unique location will provide residents with enhanced livability. Its diverse climate offers both beaches and snow-capped mountains.

What does NEOM mean?

NEOM is derived from two words; the first three letters come from the Ancient Greek prefix neo – meaning 'new', while the 'M' is the first from 'Mustaqbal', an Arabic word meaning 'future'. The M is also the first letter of His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors.

With digitization driving the global economy, no country can afford to be left behind either in its application or investment in the sector. Thus, at its inception in 2006 as a public enterprise wholly owned by the federal government, the mandate of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) was well defined and straightforward – setting up and operating a unified Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure platform that addresses the connectivity, transversal and other technology imperatives for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government. The company was also charged with operating a nationwide network backbone to help facilitate the digital inclusion of underserved areas and rural communities towards the realization of the federal government goals as enumerated above.

Stakeholders in the built environment have urged professionals to embrace the concept of smart cities that would focus on using technology and data to improve public services, as well as quality of life for the residents.

The architects and planners, who spoke at the Archibuilt Exposition in Abuja, said the use of artificial intelligence and technology, innovative devices and knowledge-based economy would promote affordable housing.

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has shifted to the use of smart technologies that promote sustainability, public safety, energy efficiency, reduce congestion, ensure smart transportation, smart parking and intelligent water and sanitation services to improve on its service delivery.

Presenting his Valedictory Report for the period 2018 to 2023, the outgoing mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni said, guided by their goal of being a leading, smart, transformative city by 2024, the local authority was focused on the use of smart technologies that help create a better quality of life for the citizens.

Kampala City Lord Mayor Mr. Erias Lukwago has tasked local and international technocrats to assure the public whether it is possible to turn Kampala into a modern city.

He made the remarks at the Kampala Capital City Authority politicians’ consultative meeting aimed at discussing the integrated urban development master plan for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area held on Friday.

There are high hopes for the possibility of Anambra citizens having access to the St​ate Laws and other legislative instruments digitally, as the Anambra State ICT Agency on Friday took its digitization drive to the State House of Assembly.

The ICT Agency’s delegation led by Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, met with Mr. Somto Udeze, the Speaker of the House, and Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme the majority leader.

Atlanta BeltLine Inc. is kicking off its digital inclusion strategy and announcing the partners for the organization's first smart cities demonstration project which will include autonomous grocery stores, wayfinding kiosks and EV charging stations, in partnership with Atlanta-based Fortune 500 and local disadvantaged business enterprise companies, according to a press release.

Two interactive pop-up sites along the Atlanta BeltLine will provide Atlantans with tech-driven experiences to help bridge the digital divide by providing free public Wi-Fi, an autonomous grocery store, information on BeltLine activities, smart trash cans, maps and more in the coming months. It's part of a pilot project with Fortune 500 and local businesses to address urban issues such as access to food, technology and wellness.

Cities are growing rapidly. Here’s how they can continue providing adequate public safety, emergency response and other critical services while prioritizing energy resilience.

Cities everywhere are growing – and feeling the strain. Some 55% of the world's population⁽¹⁾ lives in urban areas today, and that number is expected to reach 68% by 2050 – which means 2.5 billion⁽²⁾ more people living in cities. In the nearer future, by 2030, the world is projected to have 43 megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants each. Cities of the future are expected to account for 75% of global energy consumption and, as soon as 2025, many cities across the developing world are likely to suffer energy shortages.⁽³⁾

The corporate business arm of PLDT Inc. teamed up with the provincial government of Cebu to expedite its digital transformation for the benefit of constituents and thriving business communities.

The collaboration will provide advanced digital solutions and reliable connectivity with the initial roll-out of free, unlimited public Wi-Fi in 50 barangays, including prominent areas like Guadalupe, Tisa, Basak San Nicholas and Talamban.

At ULI’s Spring Meeting apartment experts found new solutions and opportunities to build—even in uncertain times.

A questionable economy and high-interest rates are not stopping apartment developers from making new plans to transform communities.

Smart cities are becoming a reality rather than a concept and integrating technology into everyday infrastructure has become the norm. They present local authorities with a vast number of opportunities, including data-driven decision making, enhanced engagement between citizens and government, and a reduced environmental footprint. Though, as with any new technologies there are many risks to consider when becoming a smart city.

Arguably one of the biggest threats is their vulnerability to cyberattacks. This is because using large,connected networks gives cybercriminals more entry points than ever before and the perfect opportunity to jump from one exposed system to the next. Now, while we should never let fear get in the way of innovation, it's essential that we adequately prepare ourselves with robust security protocols.

New Clark City was cited during a recent Japan forum for utilizing best practices centered on improving its future residents’ health and wellbeing, and in promoting smart city features.

SCI-Japan, a private sector-led, non-profit organization founded by think tank Mitsubishi UFJ Research & Consulting, as well as media group Nikkei, in July 2023 congregated smart city champions across the globe, through a forum titled: “Challenge of Japan’s Smart City Initiative Improving Citizen’s Well-being,” to introduce some of best practices and discuss how to utilize well-being indicators for policy design toward sustainable smart city business.

One of the key promises by the Kenya Kwanza administration was to transform provision of services by leveraging technology. Well, the promise is on course with ongoing implementation of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032 which underpins the country’s digital plans.

The ambitious plan centres around five pillars; digital services and data management, digital skills, digital entrepreneurship, and effective alignment to policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks. The ultimate aim of the project is to enable the government to deploy technology to improve public services by digitising government records and services while fostering an innovation and entrepreneurship culture. Going digital will be a game-changer in transforming the economy, creation of the much needed jobs and in driving financial and economic inclusion.

In today's rapidly evolving world, smart cities are gaining traction. With the integration of cutting-edge technologies, cities are transforming into interconnected ecosystems that aim to foster sustainable development and enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants.

As the cofounder of a smart city economic development council, I believe smart cities will be powered by numerous converging frontier technologies, as well as pioneer the adoption of "phygital" environments. And this could ultimately lead to omniverse-enabled cities. From my view, omniverse-enabled smart cities would be able to capitalize on advanced computational power and accelerate, customize or enhance current urban projects.

The vast majority of transit riders expect transport operators to offer open loop, contactless payments, according to a global passenger survey by Visa.

More than half of public transit riders (51 per cent) use four or more different payment methods a month for their travel, according to a global survey by digital payments specialist Visa.

With its steadfast commitment to innovation, Dubai is on the fast track to becoming the world's smartest city. The driving force behind this remarkable journey is the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness has set in motion a unique digital transformation journey that aims to make Dubai a global leader among smart cities.

At the centre of this vision is a commitment to elevate the quality of life of Dubai’s people and turn it into the world’s best city to live, work and visit. By embracing advanced new technologies and fostering a culture of constant improvement, Dubai strives to create standards of wellbeing that rival that of the world’s leading cities.