Digital transformation challenges in managing "mega" cities.

(NLĐO) - It is expected that the new Ho Chi Minh City, with nearly 14 million people, will pose challenges and drive digital transformation in urban management.

On April 17th, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research organized a workshop titled "Suggestions for Policies to Promote Digital Transformation in Urban Management in Ho Chi Minh City". This was a scientific workshop within the framework of the research project "Enhancing Digital Transformation Capacity in Urban Management After the Covid-19 Pandemic".

Dr. Pham Tran Hai introduces the research topic.

At the workshop, representatives of the research group presented an assessment of the level of digital transformation in urban management in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 and 2024. The assessment was based on the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Index (HCM DTI), which is used to monitor and evaluate the results of digital transformation implementation annually by departments, agencies, and localities in a substantive, objective, and fair manner.

Specifically, the research scope focuses on Thu Duc City, District 1, Binh Tan District, Cu Chi District; the Department of Construction, the Department of Transport (now the Department of Public Works and Transportation), the Department of Planning and Architecture (now the Department of Construction), and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Representatives from the District 1 Department of Economy , Infrastructure, and Urban Development shared solutions for digital transformation.

At the workshop, representatives from urban management agencies, research units, and institutions presented the achievements in digital transformation in the urban sector. They also frankly acknowledged the shortcomings and bottlenecks in digital transformation and proposed mechanisms and policies to facilitate investment in infrastructure and human resources to support digital transformation.

One of the issues of concern to the delegates was the challenges and solutions for the future of Ho Chi Minh City as a "mega-city". According to the plan to reorganize and merge three provincial-level administrative units – Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong , and Ba Ria – Vung Tau – the new Ho Chi Minh City will have a population of over 13.7 million people and 168 subordinate administrative units, forming a new "mega-city".

Ms. Nguyen Truc Van, Director of the Center for Economic and Social Simulation and Forecasting ( thuộc Institute for Development Research of Ho Chi Minh City).

Ms. Nguyen Truc Van, Director of the Center for Economic and Social Simulation and Forecasting ( thuộc the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research), believes that Ho Chi Minh City needs to clearly identify the main trends in digital transformation, and then build specific strategies and solutions.

One of the key trends is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in urban management. Focus should be placed on the complete digitalization and transformation of public services; digitalization in the construction sector; adjusting regulations that are incompatible with the digitalization process; and strictly penalizing violations. Big data centers are also needed to support digital transformation.

In addition, focus on developing spatial data to serve urban governance in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming period, especially in the context of the reorganization and merger of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Binh Duong province and Ho Chi Minh City.

The spatial data model for urban governance will include data layers such as construction (management, construction permits, flood control); urban planning (urban planning announcements); transportation (infrastructure, smart transportation); construction (infrastructure management); land (land prices, land use planning, land registration)...

Mr. Pham Binh An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Research.

Mr. Pham Binh An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Development Research Institute, highly appreciated the contributions and suggestions from the delegates regarding digital transformation. He stated that he would continue to incorporate the feedback and refine the research topic to better advise the City Party Committee and the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on digital transformation in urban management in the future.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thach-thuc-chuyen-doi-so-trong-quan-ly-sieu-do-thi-196250417160030024.htm