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The Promise of Smart Cities

Catalyzing people-centric smart city transformation in Southeast Asia

By Asian Development Bank

July 19^th, 2021

All around the world the concept of smart cities has been discussed widely. ‘Smart’ is seen as the attractive, glittering solution to many of the prevailing urban development challenges.

The skyline of Singapore, a country also regarded as a smart and livable city.

But, the discussion is almost always centered around different technological solutions and devices – sensors, fiber networks, artificial intelligence, earth observation and satellites, and others. Oftentimes, the technical solution or the smart technology becomes the goal in itself.

Computers are now a staple of everyday life.

Identifying applications for augmented reality.

"Smartness" is not solely about the efficiency of systems.

If put in the context of fast-changing technologies, this notion would be the first generation iteration of the smart cities concept. However, the upgraded version of smart cities is no longer the fixation on technology alone. In today’s quest for livable and healthy cities, smart is about putting people first.

Smart Cities are People-First Cities

Smart means pivoting around people and their needs, so that they are able to live the good life and fulfill their aspirations and dreams. Technology is simply a means to ‘smartness’; only when a people-centric strategy is implied through the technology that it can become smart and enhance livability.

Technology is a tool that enables the future generation to learn more and be more.

One of the principles of smart cities is it must be inclusive to all cultures and social values.

A smart and livable city must also be founded on sustainable solutions, enhancing quality of life.

Why does Southeast Asia Envision a Smart Cities Future

About half of the population in the countries making up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or the ASEAN live in urban areas, and 70 million people more are expected to become urban dwellers by 2025.

Asia and the Pacific is projected to be home to two-thirds of the world's urban population by 2050.

While rapid urbanization brings economic gains, it also carries significant challenges, such as aging infrastructure or infrastructure that is not at pace with population growth, widening income gaps, congestion, pollution, and other issues.

Daily traffic jam in Metro Manila, Philippines.

Rural to urban migration is a common phenomenon in Asian cities, resulting in poor communities left marginalized.

In 2016, an estimated 2.4 million premature deaths were attributed to air pollution in Southeast Asia, according to the World Health Organization.

Polluted waterways, both from discarded trash and untreated wastewater, are a breeding ground for diseases.

The ASEAN aims to raise the standard of living within the region. In its ASEAN Sustainable Urbanization Strategy, it recognizes that “fast technological advancements present cities with numerous opportunities to prepare for and tackle these urbanization challenges.”

Supporting the Path to Smart City Transformation

Australia, which has its share of the world’s most livable cities, is supporting Southeast Asia toward developing people-centric smart cities.

People-centric design enables synergetic benefits, such as a clean environment and recreational value.

Through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Government of Australia has provided A$20 million to the ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund (AASCTF) managed by the Asian Development Bank. The mission of AASCTF is to enhance the planning systems, service delivery, and financial management of ASEAN cities by developing and testing digital solutions and systems that will lead not only to smart cities, but cities that are competitive, inclusive, green, and resilient.

AASCTF also works with cities in the region to boost private sector collaboration, gender equity, and climate action through smart strategies.

AASCTF helps streamline and improve city planning systems using appropriate technologies.

AASCTF promotes digital solutions for better delivery of urban services.

AASCTF enhances cities' financial management systems, and increases financial inclusion of women and other vulnerable groups.

Currently, there are more cities on the way to becoming smart cities with the assistance of AASCTF; for example, Baguio, Kaysone, and Makassar.

In Baguio, in the Philippines, AASCTF is working with the city government on a flood forecasting and early warning system to mitigate impacts and protect residents, especially the vulnerable. In Kaysone, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a smart learning platform is being designed to prepare students for the demands of the job market, providing necessary skills while also helping businesses to increase efficiency. In Makassar, Indonesia, a livable city prioritization platform is in the works, which will support Makassar’s vision to become a world-class city.

Given its mountainous terrain, Baguio is prone to landslides during typhoon season in the Philippines - an emergency response system could prevent casualties.

In Lao PDR, upcoming graduates could soon benefit from gamification and e-learning tools that will jumpstart their employment opportunities.

An ongoing citizen engagement survey in Indonesia will provide insights on the priorities and perceptions of different demographic groups in the pilot city.

AASCTF is supporting its local government partner in Indonesia and other stakeholders to create a livable city plan that best addresses the needs of residents.

There are more than 20 ASEAN cities in the pipeline that the trust fund will gradually engage with, whether through initial bilateral support or by providing networking opportunities. In due time, twinning programs may also be conducted with other cities around the world, which will allow partner cities in the ASEAN to see their potential.

Bike-friendly Copenhagen is an example of a city twinning partner for ASEAN cities to learn more about low-carbon mobility (Photo by Morten Larsen, Ramboll).

From pilot demonstrations of digital solutions to full-scale investments in the future, this is the AASCTF aspiration.

Through workshops and webinars, AASCTF is investing in the upskilling of stakeholders to sustain 'smartness' in the long term.

When all ages live well, that is a smart city with people at its core.

By 2024, the goal of AASCTF is to have strengthened the skills and capacities of the people working for cities, created partnerships, and catalyzed investments that will scale up its pilot projects to realize the promise of people-centric smart cities in Southeast Asia.

To learn more about smart cities and the activities of AASCTF, sign up for the newsletter and follow AASCTF on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Footnotes

All photos by ADB unless specified; Shutterstock (lead photo)

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FootNotes

All photos by ADB unless specified; Shutterstock (lead photo)