IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

The City of Victorias in Negros Occidental is making significant strides in digital governance by collaborating with a mobile commerce services company for an expanded program to further empower the local government unit (LGU), micro, small and medium enterprises, and its residents.

“It is our vision to have a digitally inclusive and innovative city, where all will benefit from the advantages of going digital,” Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said in a statement on Thursday.

Claro Chile, a subsidiary of Mexico's América Móvil, is involved in two smart city projects and wants to establish itself as an integrator and facilitator of urban solutions.

“The demand for solutions for smart cities is constantly growing due to several global trends such as the concentration of population in cities, security and the incorporation of sustainability variables in urban development and urban mobility,” Francisco Guzmán Marín, vice president of B2B unit Claro Empresas, told BNamericas.

Imagine navigating Tehran's bustling streets with ease. Traffic lights that adjust to rush hour automatically, waste collection that anticipates your needs, and even parks offering personalized exercise routines – this is the vision of a "smart Tehran," and it's not just a futuristic dream. By harnessing the power of data collection and analytics, Tehran is aiming to become a more efficient, livable, and ultimately, happier place for its citizens.

“Smart” cities tend to be rich. Places like Zurich, Canberra and Singapore sit atop IMD’s 2024 Smart City Index, which tracks how well residents perceive a city is using technology to improve their lives.

But AI could be allowing less wealthy countries to afford the dream of having a smart city that’s innovative, efficient and data-driven, said urban experts at the Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore conference on Tuesday.

If you weren’t already aware, the world’s gaze will soon switch towards Indonesia for this year’s Independence Day celebrations — where it will bear witness to the opening ceremony of Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital city on the island of Borneo.

Set to replace Jakarta as the nation’s capital, the estimated $33 billion project is positioned to officially open on August 17th, 2024.

In a landmark development poised to reshape the urban landscape of Ibadan, the capital of Ibadan, EVC Nig Ltd has unveiled the Vision Smart City, a cutting-edge housing estate designed to provide affordable and sustainable living options for residents.

The project, which was officially launched on Saturday, marked a significant step in addressing the housing deficit in the city while promoting smart living solutions.

The Indian government is to build a total of 12 new industrial smart cities in various states to drive domestic manufacturing in the country. These join eight urban manufacturing centres that are already under development. The department of industry and trade revealed progress with the initial developments, mostly about allocation of land and deployment of higher-order trunk infrastructure, and also details about some of the new catchments. Two new industrial cities will be developed in Andhra Pradesh in the south and Bihar in the east, next to Nepal.

WiMi said the aim is to establish a sharing ecosystem for IoT data in smart cities that is secure and efficient and ensures IoT data security and integrity.

Hologram augmented reality (AR) technology provider WiMi Hologram Cloud is launching a blockchain-based privacy security protection framework for secure data sharing and collaboration in smart cities.

Lahore now offers free wi-fi access to the public at most locations in the city. The idea is to facilitate those in emergency situations, but also surveillance

We are living in a digital world where the buzzwords are AI, automation and so on. Lahore is on its way to becoming a smart city. As the city embraces digital technology for surveillance, it’s expected to offer free connectivity to the public at most locations.

eCommunity™ Fiber is excited to announce the commencement of construction for it ambitious Smart City initiative in collaboration with the City of Morrow and A2D, Inc. This project, launched through the eCommunity™ platform, aims to transform “Olde Towne Morrow” into the new and improved District, marking a significant milestone in Morrow’s journey toward digital inclusivity.

Antwon Alsobrook, Founder and CEO of A2D, Inc., shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Breaking ground on this project brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of a connected, inclusive community. We are eager to see The District become a hub for tech-centric students, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will leverage our network to develop and test smart city technologies.”

As our cities grow bigger and busier, they are becoming major players in the production of waste and contributors to climate change. It’s a challenge, but also an opportunity, because by 2050, seven out of ten people worldwide will be city dwellers. Here’s the exciting part – worldwide, nations are thinking about and applying ways to convert their cities into smarter, more sustainable urban centres. This global push towards smart cities isn’t just about implementing fancy technology. It’s about reimagining urban life to be more sustainable, efficient, and liveable. From New York to Singapore, from Dubai to Tokyo, cities are experimenting with innovative solutions to turn urban challenges into opportunities for positive change.

The term “smart city” conjures images of futuristic utopias where technology seamlessly enhances our daily lives. Traffic flows like a symphony, garbage trucks only show up when needed, and potholes fill themselves while apologizing for the inconvenience. But peel back the glossy veneer, and you’ll find that these so-called smart initiatives are often just a new way to nickel-and-dime residents. Let’s take a tour through the cityscape of this digital pickpocketing.

In a bid to find solutions to real-life problems faced in rural areas, 136 students from Purna Chetana Public School in Mysuru created a miniature model of a ‘smart village’ showcasing innovations driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.

The event, titled ‘longest marathon of assembling robotic models by a team,’ was held recently at the school and earned World Record titles from Elite World Records, Asian Records Academy, and India Records Academy.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Smart Cities Mission on the 25th of June 2015, he did so with the noble intention of promoting cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to citizens of the country through the application of “smart solutions”. However, nine years after the official launch, several gaping holes in this “smart” project were disclosed/exposed after a Shillong-based computer hacker successfully hacked into the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on the June 25, 2024, extracting over 5 gigabytes of data.

‘Smart cities’ are on the rise, laying out technical foundations for data-driven decision-making, efficiencies, and services to the benefit of their citizens.

Smart cities are springing up around the country. These technologically modern municipalities use a variety of systems, devices, and sensors to enhance services and operations, manage assets, and increase efficiency — fueled by the power of data.

We are only 24 years into the century, but if you had to pick a candidate for the development of the century, it would have to be Saudi Arabia’s Neom. The city is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its reliance on crude oil sales. The original plans were grandiose and bordering on absurd, proposing a 660-foot-wide, 110-mile-long city called The Line, stretching from Neom Bay in the Red Sea to Tabuk, near the Jordanian border. The project was estimated to cost around $1.5 trillion and was scheduled to be completed in 2039.

From its inception, Neom has faced criticism for displacing indigenous people and skepticism about its viability. Now, as the project is behind schedule and not attracting the investment the Crown Prince had hoped for, the plans are being scaled back.

The People’s Committee of Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on July 24 held a working session with Fujitsu Limited of Japan on a project on providing technical support for the locality, aiming to build a smart city model through digital transformation in land management.

The project, which will be carried out between 2025 and 2028, has a total investment of about 29 million USD. Of the sum, 28.4 million USD is non-refundable aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the rest comes from the city’s budget.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission ( NDPC) on Tuesday said it was on guard to ensure that individuals and organizations who want to deploy technology to drive a smart city project comply with data protection laws in the country.

This disclosure was made by the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji in Abuja at the Second Nigerian Data Expo and Conference (NDEC) organized by ioSafe Nigeria, and Havel Corporate Concept in collaboration with some Federal government Ministries Departments and Agencies.

The project aims to establish a platform for exchanging experiences among government entities and learning about best practices to enhance the quality of data.

Digital Dubai is launching an initiative aimed at elevating the level of data standards in terms of quality, accessibility and governance.

The concept of smart cities has been around longer than one might think. The first smart city, Seuol, started its initiatives in 2014. Since then, the concept has spread around the world.

With recent advancements in AI and analytics, modern technologies have become more affordable, powerful and efficient, enabling the adoption of more smart city projects.

US company C&N Associates plans to build a "smart city" in Nurafshan, Uzbekistan, with an estimated investment of $10-15bn, the Tashkent regional khokimiyat (city administration) has announced.

Regional khokim Zoir Mirzayev met with Ronald James Hubbard, director of C&N Associates, to discuss the smart city project that would cover 1,600 hectares with advanced infrastructure and technology aimed at providing high living standards.

A team of business people and state officials from South Korea visited Vietnam last week to discuss large-scale projects such as urban development and high-speed rail.

South Korea hopes to tap into Vietnam’s extensive urbanisation and infrastructure plans, Business Korea reports.

South Korean infrastructure minister Park Sang-woo met Vietnam’s minister of construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi in Hanoi to discuss the Dong Nam New Town in Bac Ninh Province, northern Vietnam.

The local government of Lipa City in Batangas province is gearing up to enhance governance through a strategic alignment with the Department of Science and Technology in Region 4A (DOST-Calabarzon).

DOST-4A Regional Director Emelita Bagsit and Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa have formalized their commitments to implement the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) and Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) programs.

In a pioneering move towards digital transformation, Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) signed on Sunday a contract with the Republic of Korea's NAVER Cloud Platform to implement smart city solutions on the digital twin platform "Baladi."

The collaboration aims to adopt global best practices in the municipal and housing sectors by utilizing innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced cloud services.

Diriyah is one of a number of extraordinary giga-projects funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Alfie Gibbs, Chief Business Development Officer at Diriyah Company, tells Inside Saudi why Diriyah will be a destination like no other for businesses seeking to thrive.

Q: Could you start by telling us about your role as Chief Business Development Officer at Diriyah Company and what your day-to-day responsibilities entail?

Introduction

What if our cities could think, adapt, and evolve to meet the needs of their inhabitants? As we stand on the brink of a new era in urban planning, digital trends are reshaping the way we conceive, build, and manage our urban environments. But how exactly are these technological advancements transforming our cities into smart, sustainable havens for the future?

Digital Trends Revolutionizing Urban Design

The intersection of technology and urban planning has given rise to a new paradigm in city development. Digital trends are at the forefront of this revolution, offering innovative solutions to age-old urban challenges. From smart infrastructure to data-driven decision making, these advancements are paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities.

The African Rebirth Vision International has expressed its willingness to build a Smart City in Abia to facilitate socio-economic development in the state.

The President of the organisation, Mr Chuka Nwokoro, said this on Friday during a meeting with Gov. Alex Otti of Abia in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

Nwokoro said that the organisation had embarked on a mission to build a city that would be engineered by technology just like other smart cities in the world.

Among the projects shelved is the proposal to set up two sewage treatment plants (STPs), each with a capacity of 5.5 MLD, at Lawspet and Dubrayanpet at Rs 21 crore.

Thirty-two of the 66 developmental projects planned under the Smart City initiative to address traffic, sewage, market facilities and parking issues have been dropped, disappointing residents and authorities alike.

The initial outlay of the projects was Rs 1,056 crore, which has dropped to approximately Rs 620 crore for implementing 34 projects. The union government, typically contributing to 50% of the funds, saw its contributions go underutilised, while the cash-starved union territory missed out on crucial central funds.

In a paper published in the journal Sustainability, researchers systematically reviewed intelligent transportation literature, analyzing 113 journal articles from the Web of Science database. The paper summarized existing knowledge, identified research trends, and evaluated academic impacts through scientometric analysis. Nine emerging subtopics were identified and discussed qualitatively, aiding in future research directions and informing research policymakers and editorial boards.

Dwarka's model provides a blueprint for creating thriving, sustainable communities in the heart of urban landscapes.

Dwarka, a sub-city in southwestern Delhi, is setting new benchmarks in sustainable urban development. As part of its smart city initiatives, Dwarka’s commitment to sustainability makes it a prime location for environmentally-conscious retail investments. We take a look at how Dwarka’s eco-friendly infrastructure and smart city initiatives create an ideal ecosystem for sustainable retail.

Driven by the growing prevalence of smart tech such as 5G, AI and IoT, cities around the world will be able to become smarter places to live and work. But how can smart tech get to places hitherto unconnected to prevent a digital divide?

Technological innovation abounds all around us. Think of the cloud. Communications networks. Artificial intelligence (AI). The evolutionary steps that each of these, plus many other facets of IT, have taken, have been totally transformative for those developing them as much as for those using them. It can be argued that the trend of digitisation over the past decade has provided homes, businesses and whole communications with new opportunities.

"A swarm of different technologies are beginning to radically change how we inhabit and navigate our cities."

Toyota's futuristic "smart city" featuring the latest green technologies, including hydrogen power and driverless vehicles, is expected to welcome its first residents by the end of this year.

Located on Honshū Island, Japan, the carmaker's sustainable "Woven City" sits just miles from Mount Fuji and will serve as a "living laboratory" for residents and researchers to test advanced technologies — including driverless cars, robotics, smart homes, and artificial intelligence — in a real-world setting, per a company news release.

The city police and traffic police will now be able to independently manage crime and traffic control with the help of 3,600 CCTV cameras installed under Smart City and 2,200 at various establishments, which have been integrated with setting up of the new Command and Control Centre at police control room building in Civil Lines.

The centre, inaugurated by deputy chief minister and home minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, has been established jointly by Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) and Nagpur Police.

Smart city pioneer extends contract to maximize value and impact of its data and successfully manage risk

Opendatasoft, the leading Data Portal solution provider, today announced that the Town of Cary in North Carolina has renewed its contract to use its solution to power its data portal.

Women City, this is the name associated with a large project carried out by Toyota. The famous Japanese multinational engaged in the production of automobiles has in fact the objective of building a real innovative city at the foot of Mount Fuji.

The reason? Simple, to make sure that this city is a real laboratory where new technological realities can be tested and at the same time perfected. For example artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, clean energy, robotics and much more.

The Ajman Transport Authority from the UAE has partnered with BPC, a global leader in payment solutions, to become the first authority in the emirate to implement modern payments technology on public transport buses.

This move aims to enhance smart services within the transportation sector, through introduction of O-CITY, a solution for Smart Cities’ and mobility developed by BPC.

In an exclusive interview with MWN, UM6P professor Radoine challenges the dominant industry narrative, which often prioritizes technological bells and whistles over human-centered solutions and sustainable practices.

Africa is on the cusp of a historic urban transformation. By 2050, the continent’s urban population is projected to double, with cities becoming hubs of economic activity and innovation.

After having broken ground for its 4,000 crore integrated electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu through group company VinFast, Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has now set its sights on Telangana and Hyderabad, in particular.

The Vietnamese giant is looking at the possibility of setting up a 1,000-acre mega smart city project in and around Hyderabad and has already begun scouting for options around the city, sources told TOI.

Chandigarh’s newly elected MP Manish Tewari chaired the Smart City Advisory Forum meeting to review both completed works and those in progress

The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Chandigarh has reduced traffic violations in the city by 40% and fatal crashes by 31% from January 2021 to December 2023, officials said during the 23rd Chandigarh Smart City Advisory Forum meeting on Monday.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requires at least 20,000 CCTV cameras installed throughout the capital to monitor crime and traffic congestion.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at present, there are only 5,000 units around the city.

He said the installation cannot be undertaken solely by DBKL but requires the cooperation of various ministries, departments and agencies, especially the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

The project also aims to make recreational, residential, commercial, and green spaces on the reclaimed land and the adjoining warehouse.

In a significant move towards enhancing urban sustainability, Jammu Smart City Ltd (JSCL) is considering establishing green buildings on the reclaimed land and adjoining areas of the Tawi riverfront development project, an official said on Monday. These green buildings are expected to incorporate energy-efficient designs, renewable energy sources, and sustainable construction materials, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and enhanced quality of life for residents, the official said.

Miami-Dade County has earned a coveted spot among the tech-savvy governments of the nation, bagging 9th place in the Center for Digital Government's 2024 Digital Counties Survey for populations of 1 million or more. As reported by Miami-Dade County's News site, this annual survey gives a nod to local governments that expertly wield technology to align with their goals, find cost-effective solutions, bolster transparency and cybersecurity, encourage civic participation, and meet the evolving expectations of their constituents. Miami-Dade's IT Department (ITD) has been recognized for working hand-in-hand with County departments to enhance the resident experience by improving the miamidade.gov portal and enriching the Open Data Hub.

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government has cancelled the first phase of the smart city road project due to feasibility concerns. They are now planning a new proposal using state funds to improve important city roads.

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has decided to cancel the first phase of the smart city road project due to feasibility issues. This announcement was made by the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of urban and municipal affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on July 12.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Punjab Land and Revenue Authority (PLRA) signed accords for digitization of land record in the federal capital.

Under these agreements, all sites in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) will be digitized within three months, with 25 ICT sites set to go live by August 14, 2024.

The 8 billion-euro Ellinikon project in Greece – which took inspiration from Singapore – is set to become a global template for others to follow

Deep inside a cavernous hangar on the site of Athens’ former airport, a Lamda Development executive is discussing one of the world’s most significant construction projects. In front of him is a large interactive screen stretching across an entire wall of the room. With a few flicks, he pulls up a virtual 3D rendering of the area, zooms past a park, and enters an apartment. We’re now “standing” in the apartment’s balcony, where we can see exactly what the view from this soon-to-be-built tower will be like, down to the gently swaying treeline. As we take in the seaside panorama, the executive taps the screen again, and the room instantly glows orange from a simulated sunset.

Theta Edge Bhd's subsidiary Theta Telecoms Sdn Bhd a secured a request for proposal (RFP) contract from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for the supply of cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Under the terms of the project, Theta will invest RM673.8mil in developing IoT for the smart economy in Ampang Jaya.

Depa has signed a MoU with Silpakorn University and Dassault Systèmes to foster smart city development and enhance the digital skills of the Thai workforce.

The MoU is designed to help position Thailand as the smart city hub of the Asean region

Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), Silpakorn University in Bangkok and technology company and digital twin platform specialist Dassault Systèmes have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster smart city development and enhance the digital skills of the Thai workforce over the next three years.

Dubai Customs has announced the launch of a new blockchain platform designed to reduce supply chain friction within Dubai and across its borders.

Strategic Initiative for a Smart City

The blockchain solution was introduced as part of a broader strategy to cement Dubai’s position as a leading “smart” city, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office on July 8. Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, highlighted the innovation as a reflection of Dubai’s vision to become a global hub for trade and logistics.

The Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (NMSCDCL) has set up an emergency operation centre at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the civic body’s headquarters, to provide a centralised system for disaster management in view of the Kumbh Mela to be held in 2027.

The centre, costing Rs 59 crore, was inaugurated by NMSCDCL CEO Sumant More.

It has been equipped with CCTV cameras and a public address system.

Revolutionizing Supply Chains with Blockchain: Dubai Customs Leads the Way

Imagine a world where every piece of data shared across local supply chains is secure, tamper-proof, and transferred with just a click. Well, that's no longer a stuff of imagination. Dubai Customs is turning this dream into a reality by introducing a blockchain solution aimed at transforming the local supply chain landscape. The move is not just about embracing digital innovation; it's about leading a revolution that promises to save time, effort, and mountains of paperwork.

Modern public lighting, with its mix of street lamps and sensors, incorporates technologies to connect its services. For this reason, smart cities are focused on streamlining their operational efficiency while improving the experience of their users, all amid a general background of cost-cutting. This is the third paper in a series of articles on cybersecurity issues in smart and connected cities.

Behind this modernisation of practices in the urban environment lies the same problem as with other elements of the smart city: the more connected a city is, the more it is exposed to cyberattacks. What are the associated cyber risks? What cybersecurity strategy should be adopted to deal with these new challenges? This article provides answers to these questions.

Dubai Customs hopes the blockchain solution will facilitate tamper-proof data sharing, save time and effort and reduce voluminous paperwork for local supply chains.

Dubai Customs has announced the launch of a new blockchain platform aimed at smoothing out supply chain friction within Dubai and across its borders.

The blockchain solution was launched as part of a broader strategy to cement Dubai’s position as a leading “smart” city, Dubai Media Office said in a July 8 statement.

Wrexham Council has won a national award for its plans to develop the use of technology to help manage and improve the city centre.

The council beat off tough competition from across Wales to win the Excellence in Plan Making award from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

The award recognises excellent practice in developing plans that will help shape the future of towns and cities – particularly plans that are unique and innovative.

Social Security Administration leaders say the “data rich” agency is undergoing cultural change with its adoption of SecurityStat and embrace of several AI tools.

For more than two decades, the Social Security Administration has worked to shed its well-earned image as a “paper-based agency,” doing everything from shifting away from hard copy signatures to embarking on a large-scale modernization plan.

Now armed with a robust artificial intelligence use case inventory and a splashy new data-tracking tool, SSA’s technology leaders feel especially bullish about where they stand in their digital journey.

As the world grapples with the impact of climate change, the need for sustainable urban development has never been more pressing, especially in the rapidly developing regions of Asia. This rapid urbanisation, if not managed properly, can exacerbate issues like pollution, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions – all of which contribute to climate change.

The rise of "smart cities" offers a promising solution. By leveraging advanced technologies like the Internet of Things, big data analytics, and renewable energy, smart cities have the potential to significantly reduce a city’s environmental footprint while improving the quality of life for residents.

What makes a good mayor? What makes a good municipality? For me, it is our ability to meet our constitutional obligations to serve the people of Thembisile Hani local municipality by providing services that are enduring and of a high quality — and able to impact our landscape positively.

I would also define success on our part as when the poorest and most vulnerable among us are not only able to survive but live happily within this municipal region. But to attain this, I realised that we needed to do things differently than before.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reviewed 17 ambitious Smart City projects in Gwalior. Emphasizing the leadership of PM Modi and CM Mohan Yadav, Scindia outlined development plans and addressed airport quality concerns. The minister stressed addressing public grievances and ongoing improvements at Jabalpur and Gwalior airports.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia convened a meeting on Saturday to evaluate the progress of Gwalior's Smart City project, asserting that the city's future is being meticulously shaped under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. 'We reviewed and discussed 17 ambitious projects for Gwalior, incorporating numerous suggestions to refine our plans. Gwalior's evolution is steering ahead with an eye on honoring its historic and cultural legacy,' Scindia remarked post-meeting.

In recent years, Africa has witnessed the launch of numerous smart city projects aimed at bridging the technology gap affecting the continent.

Brigadier General Bonjean Rodrigue Mbanza, Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy and New Information Technologies, made an official visit to Cameroon on Tuesday, July 2 to explore technologies for a Smart City project in Gabon. The visit aimed to examine existing technologies and draw inspiration to support the development of the project.

The capital city of Hanoi is taking a significant step toward a more sustainable future for its public transportation system, with a July 4 approval of a plan to achieve a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 via phasing out diesel vehicles in favour of electric ones.

Between 2026 and 2030, Hanoi aims for a mix of electric buses (50%) and buses powered by cleaner burning fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG) (50%). The estimated financial investment for this transition is 43 trillion VND (1.79 billion USD).

Smart Nicosia, a project of innovative technologies and applications enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike, is now just a click away.

The municipality invites everyone to discover the city’s vision and conveniences firsthand through its new user-friendly and accessible-to-all website.

The Government has said that one hundred cities have completed 90 per cent of its total development projects amounting to over one lakh 44 thousand crore rupees under Smart City Mission. The mission was launched in 2015 to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and decent quality of life to their citizens, clean and sustainable environment through application of smart solutions.

The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said, the Mission has been getting multiple requests from some States and City government representatives, to grant some more time to complete the balance ten per cent projects.

Whenever I walk down the Fire Brigade steps in Shillong, most days, I mentally brace myself for the ordeal ahead as I head to Laitumkhrah. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy the walks, despite the traffic, despite the crowding on sidewalks (which means that at times you have to get off the pavement and walk on the main road to avoid bumping into fellow pedestrians).

What is truly stressful, not just for me, but for I think everyone else, is getting across the roads. It means dodging the traffic at several points including the place where four roads meet near the Seventh Day Adventist Church, with one rushing up from Nongrim and the Bethany Hospital side, another one-way past the Fire Bridge field, yet another coming after a merger ‘s side and the main road from Laitumkhrah. of the road from Jowai and one from St Edmunds.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Samsung Gulf Electronics, announces the integration of driving licenses and vehicle registrations to Samsung Wallet.

This partnership aligns with RTA's dedication to utilising technology to ensure an efficient transportation system, enhance driver experience, and achieve Dubai's vision of becoming the world's premier smart city.

A Q&A with two Georgia Tech experts in civil and environmental engineering and city infrastructure analytics.

Two of those cities, Columbus and Warner Robins, Georgia, received the awards for projects that involve digital twins. But what, exactly, is a digital twin? And how can the technology be used to solve community problems?

We talked with John Taylor, the Frederick Law Olmsted Professor and associate chair for graduate programs and research innovation in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Neda Mohammadi, city infrastructure analytics director in Georgia Tech's Network Dynamics Lab to get some answers. These are edited highlights from an interview.

These three cities found a tech partner that helped them navigate their challenges, on time and at scale.

As urbanisation continues apace, cities need connectivity with near-zero downtime to deliver the best possible experience to citizens.

According to Deloitte’s 2023 research, city leaders are eager to digitise government services and enhance overall digital access for citizens. Yet they face numerous challenges. Many need either to  upgrade legacy systems, or to establish entirely new ones. Some need to integrate the two.

The city’s vision for a tech-powered future is ambitious, but overcoming the challenges and building trust with its residents can unlock its potential to become a model for other Philippine cities looking to embrace technology for a brighter tomorrow.

Muntinlupa City is poised for a significant transformation — a metamorphosis into a Smart City and under the leadership of Mayor Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, the city is actively implementing projects designed to streamline government services, leverage data for informed decision-making and ultimately, create a more efficient and transparent governance system.

The local government of San Fernando City in Pampanga province is setting its sights on becoming a “smart sustainable city” by harnessing the power of information and communication technology (ICT).

This ambitious goal is outlined in a detailed plan on the city’s website, which highlights three key focus areas: ICT system development (e-services), ICT industry and community development, and ICT infrastructure development.

Pattaya City and National Telecom Plc (NT) have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to develop the 5G Pattaya Smart City project. On Tuesday, Pattaya City Mayor Poramase Ngampichet and NT President Colonel Sapphachai Huwanan formalised this partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Pattaya City Hall.

This initiative focuses on integrating advanced technologies such as 5G Internet, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance city management. A pivotal component of the project is the installation of Smart Poles across Pattaya City, aimed at boosting 5G Internet accessibility and improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

The capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil was voted "Most Intelligent City in the World" last year at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona. Its mayor Rafael Greca explains why his town keeps racking up the accolades.

Q: What makes Curitiba stand out from other cities?

Our history of innovation dates back to the 1870s, when the Rebouças brothers, Brazil’s first black engineers, did some great projects in our region.

Construction has begun on a "smart city" three times the size of Monaco, which its developers hope will become a prototype for sustainable development across the world.

Costing a total of €8.5 billion and covering an area of around 6.2 million square meters, Ellinikon is one of the largest urban development projects on the globe today. When finished, the project will combine thousands of permanent residences, shopping centers, and a commercial hub, all built surrounding a 600-acre public park. While framed by its developers as an paradigm of smart and sustainable urban planning, some experts have cast doubt on whether Ellinikon can meet these lofty aspirations.

The Hanoi People’s Council has decided to exempt people from fees when conducting 82 administrative procedures online, believing that the move will encourage people to use online public services.

Before the ‘zero-dong’ resolution was approved by the Hanoi People’s Council in July 2023, Nguyen Xuan Luu, director of the Hanoi Finance Department said in 2022, the total budget collection from fees and charges in Hanoi was VND9.72 trillion, but only VND36.5 billion was collected online. The majority of people (70 percent) still preferred offline administrative procedures.

Combining the real and the digital worlds, technology from Siemens Xcelerator portfolio will form the backbone of the new neighbourhood in Berlin Spandau.

Siemens has announced it is investing €750m in the modernisation of Siemensstadt Square in Berlin to make it the "digital, sustainable, competitive city of the future".

Urban digital twins are transforming how smart cities plan, operate and adapt to future challenges. Urban digital twins use real-time data, advanced analytics, and AI to help city planners visualize impacts, test solutions, and implement data-driven strategies for better services, infrastructure, and resource management.

Imagine a city where technology and urban planning work in harmony to create an efficient, sustainable and citizen-centric environment—this is the vision of a smart city. Residents enjoy seamless public transportation, ample green spaces, enhanced public safety, inclusivity and interconnected services that anticipate their needs. With every aspect of daily life enhanced by intelligent solutions, smart cities offer a glimpse into a future where communities thrive in an environment carefully designed to promote convenience, well-being and a higher quality of life for everyone.

Smart cities use Wi-Fi HaLow Mesh for robust connectivity in current sensing, air quality, water, and gas metering, enabling real-time data analysis.

In the era of smart cities, the integration of cutting-edge technologies is crucial for efficient urban management. From optimizing traffic flow to enhancing public safety, the deployment of innovative solutions is reshaping urban landscapes worldwide. One such advancement lies in the utilization of Wi-Fi HaLow Mesh technology, offering robust connectivity and scalability across diverse urban environments. Leveraging this technology, cities can revolutionize data collection and analysis, particularly in areas like current sensing, air quality monitoring, water metering, and gas metering.

Officials from the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Home Affairs Ministry embarked on a visit to South Korea to learn how to improve the implementation of smart governance at the national level.

BSKDN head Yusharto Huntoyungo informed that the official visit is a strategic step aimed at exploring innovation and best practices pertaining to smart government implemented by the South Korean government.