According to the concept paper published by ASEAN Secretariat on Friday (April 27).
The concept paper, released this week in Singapore through the thirty second ASEAN Summit, where leaders of 10 countries met, presents a proposal for the creation of an ASEAN smart city network.
The network, initiated by Singapore, is meant to be a cooperation platform by which up to a few cities from each ASEAN country work towards the common goal of smart and sustainable urban development.
According to the document, most of ASEAN’s growth is and can proceed to be driven by urban centers, with the urban population expected to extend by 90 million by 2030. However, rapid urbanization also affects issues corresponding to urban traffic congestion, water availability and air quality, poverty, growing inequality, the urban-rural divide, and the protection and security of residents.
“Technological and digital solutions can be used to address these issues and improve the quality and availability of services, thereby improving the lives of our citizens across the urban-rural continuum, creating new opportunities for them and helping to ensure that no one is left behind.” – writes the concept note.
According to the note, many ASEAN member states have already designated certain areas as smart cities or launched smart city projects. The ASEAN Smart Cities Network will mix these efforts and unite smart cities, “thus contributing to constructing the ASEAN community.”
The ASEAN Smart Cities Network includes 26 pilot cities. They are (in alphabetical order): Bandar Seri Begawan, Bangkok, Banyuwangi, Battambang, Cebu City, Chonburi, Da Nang, Davao City, DKI Jakarta, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching , Luang Prabang, Makassar, Mandalay, Manila, Nay Pyi Taw, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Siem Reap, Singapore, Vientiane and Rangoon.
Highlighting a few of the core elements of the network, the memo says member cities will develop motion plans specific to their cities. These motion plans contain specific projects and activities that the member city will undertake within the period 2018–2025.
The ASEAN Smart Cities Framework will even be developed jointly by member cities, which is able to outline the bloc’s definition of a sensible city, outline key principles and discover key deliverables.
Under this framework, each member city can join forces with one in all ASEAN’s external partners to collaborate on the event of smart cities.
Source: ASEAN.org | Channel NewsAsia | OpenGov Asia
