What needs to be done to build smart cities?

Tam Ky is striving to improve its infrastructure and move towards becoming a smart city. Photo: HT

The role of data

Localities across the country are setting goals for developing smart cities as part of their socio-economic development strategies. With the support of information and communication technology, this goal is not too difficult to achieve.

Starting in 2018, the Prime Minister issued a decision on the sustainable development of smart cities for the period 2018-2025, with a vision to 2030. This decision affirmed the importance of applying information technology in urban management, helping to improve the quality of life and enhance the efficiency of state management.

The first step toward this goal began with the conference "Data Mining - Building Smart Cities, Sustainable Development," emphasizing the role of data in creating intelligent solutions for urban management. By the end of 2023, 48 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam had implemented smart city development projects. More than 40 localities had established provincial-level Intelligent Operations Centers (IOCs), and nearly 100 district-level IOCs.

These centers play a crucial role in monitoring and managing urban activities, from transportation and healthcare to education and security. Technology companies such as Viettel, VNPT, andFPT have actively participated in this process. Viettel and VNPT have collaborated with many provinces to build IOC centers, while FPT provides technological solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to support urban planning and development.

The Quang Nam Province Smart City Development Project has completed the draft overview of smart cities and the strategic direction for smart cities for four cities: Tam Ky, Hoi An, Dien Ban, and Nui Thanh.

Specifically, Tam Ky City alone is developing seven components of the project, including building a database, developing a smart city data platform; piloting smart city services; building and operating a Smart City Operations Center…

Along with the river flood warning system, Tam Ky has deployed 50 monitoring points at intersections and main roads with 250 high-resolution cameras to record activity on the roads 24/7... ( LQ )

Challenge

Despite achieving many successes, the process of building smart cities in Vietnam still faces numerous challenges.

One of the biggest problems is the lack of clarity in the legal framework, which does not facilitate public-private partnership projects. This affects the attraction of investment and the deployment of new technological solutions.

Furthermore, many cities still lack focus on smart planning and infrastructure improvement. Even Hanoi, the capital city, despite being one of the leading localities in smart city development, is facing significant pressure in addressing issues related to traffic, pollution, and public services.

To overcome these challenges, a long-term vision and a comprehensive strategy are needed. Improving the legal framework and creating favorable conditions for investment and technological development are essential. At the same time, localities also need to focus on training high-quality human resources in the field of information technology.

Provinces and cities also need to strengthen cooperation with technology companies to develop smart solutions that help improve the quality of life for citizens. The application of digital technology and data exploitation will also play a crucial role in building smart city models.

Singapore's experience in building smart cities.

According to Ycpsolidiance, Singapore adopts an integrated approach that combines advanced technology with urban planning to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

This city is implementing a comprehensive Smart Nation initiative, focusing on digital infrastructure, data analytics, and citizen participation.

From integrated urban solutions using the Internet of Things (IoT) to manage traffic, waste management, and energy efficiency, the Singaporean government has decided to rely on data to monitor urban systems and proactively respond to challenges such as congestion and pollution... ( LD )

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/lam-gi-de-xay-dung-do-thi-thong-minh-3141566.html