CITIES in the Southeast Asia region are preparing to transform into smart cities. What are smart cities, and how do smart cities work? Secretary General of ASEAN, Dato Lim Jock Hoi, indicated that a smart city uses science, technology, digital solutions, and other innovative techniques to tackle urban challenges and raise the living standard of the society. Further, Dato Lim mentioned that a smart city also fosters social and economic advancement as well as environmental sustainability by employing efficient solutions for today’s and tomorrow’s problems. Due to rapid urbanisation, these efforts require fundamental steps to enhance people’s quality of life and deal with many urban issues, such as competition for scarce resources, environmental degradation, health issues, catastrophes, and pandemics.
To enhance the advancement of smart city development in the region, ASEAN has established the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) as a platform to maintain cross-sector collaboration among stakeholders with other related ASEAN initiatives, enhance smart cooperation among cities to achieve the shared objective of sustainable urban development and smart cities at the regional level. ASCN also aims to strengthen collaborations with smart city-related organisations outside the area. Furthermore, this can also provide more noticeable results by combining the knowledge, skills, and resources on the necessary technology. CLICK to learn about the development of smart cities in ASEAN, pilot cities, and priority projects.
Supporting this initiative, UCLG ASPAC is currently preparing the conduct of pre-ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) on the 6th and 7th October 2022 in Surabaya (East Java, Indonesia) taking the theme “Achieving Smart, Resilience and Sustainable Urbanisation through ASEAN Cooperation in the New Normal.” Through the event, city leaders and distinguished representatives can specifically expect fruitful discussion on the implementation of smart and sustainable cities after the pandemic.
UCLG ASPAC is the Secretariat of the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF), a local government entity accredited by the ASEAN. Through AMF, UCLG ASPAC has continuously supported city collaboration by engaging them in various knowledge exchange opportunities.
Photo: Photo by form PxHere, asean.org
