A brand new report by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) in collaboration with the Center for Liveable Cities in Singapore shows that cities in Southeast Asia could use digital solutions to enhance some quality of life indicators by 10-30 percent.
As reported by the Chinese news agency Xinhua, a report entitled Smart Cities in Southeast Asia was prepared for the 2018 World Cities Summit, which will likely be held in Singapore on July 8–12.
It said the present generation of smart city technologies can save time, improve public health and safety, create a cleaner and more sustainable environment, and support a way of community and civic engagement.
As the report details, with smart solutions, Southeast Asia could achieve the next outcomes:
1. remove as much as roughly 270,000 kilotonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per yr;
2. save roughly 5,000 individuals who lose their lives yearly in road accidents, fires and homicides;
3. save as much as 8 million person-years per yr on commuting;
4. reduce the region’s disease burden by 12 million disability-adjusted life years;
5. add nearly 1.5 million jobs by making a more efficient and productive environment for business and employment;
6. provide its residents with higher housing options and reduce energy bills.
MGI’s press release said Southeast Asia’s urban areas account for one-third of the entire population but generate greater than two-thirds of the region’s GDP. Urbanization is driving economic growth, however the breakneck pace means many cities are struggling to offer adequate housing, infrastructure and services to fulfill the needs of a growing population.
“Urbanization can lift Southeast Asia to a level of economic and human development, but only if growth is well managed,” said Jonathan Woetzel, senior partner and leader of McKinsey’s Special Cities Initiative.
In a press release, he was quoted as saying that cities must act now to handle growing environmental problems, especially to combat climate change and improve their resilience.
Source: Borneo Post
