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Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the importance of technology, smart city innovations and sustainability in urban development in his speech at the World Cities Summit 2024.
Professor Ibrahim congratulated Mexico City, the 2024 Prize Laureate and acknowledged Cape Town, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Wellington as special mentions. These cities exemplify diverse urban challenges and innovative solutions, underscoring the importance of creating liveable, vibrant, and sustainable urban communities.
Urban areas are dynamic, continually adapting to global, regional, and local challenges. Technological advancements play a pivotal role in addressing issues like climate change, environmental degradation, and ageing populations. Urban rejuvenation, a key strategy for sustainable development, leverages technology to optimise land use, revitalise neglected areas, and upgrade infrastructure.
In Singapore, technology is integral to urban planning. As the population ages, the city-state is upgrading housing estates with smart amenities to enhance safety and promote active ageing. By integrating technology into urban planning, Singapore ensures its infrastructure meets the evolving needs of its residents.
Urban rejuvenation is not just about physical infrastructure but also about enhancing social cohesion. Technological solutions can help prevent displacement, create economic opportunities, and foster inclusive communities. In Singapore, policies and social development initiatives are designed to enhance social cohesion, making it a liveable and inclusive city.
Effective urban planning involves collaboration across public and private sectors, leveraging expertise and innovative solutions. Cities like Singapore engage residents in the planning process, using technology to gather feedback and co-create urban spaces. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of spaces that meet the aspirations of the community.
Cities must collaborate to navigate urban challenges. Singapore’s partnerships, such as the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City in China, exemplify successful collaborations in sustainable urban development. The Tianjin Eco-City project, initiated in 2008, transformed barren land into a thriving, environmentally friendly urban area for over 150,000 residents and 30,000 businesses.
The Tianjin Eco-City has become a hub for testing new solutions. A Singaporean company is piloting an autonomous vehicle fleet, while a real estate company is expanding its smart and sustainable developments. These projects highlight the potential for technology to drive sustainable urban growth and create new economic opportunities.
Singapore is also collaborating with Indonesia to support the development of Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital. Knowledge exchanges and capacity-building initiatives are critical for developing sustainable and liveable cities, ensuring that best practices are shared and implemented globally.
To promote meaningful collaborations, Singapore established the LKYWCP Network. This platform facilitates knowledge sharing among cities with remarkable successes in urban rejuvenation, encouraging further innovation in sustainable urban development.
Singapore is positioning itself as a global leader in digital transformation with a strong focus on artificial intelligence for economic growth, societal advancement, and international leadership. Central to this initiative is the Digital Enterprise Blueprint (DEB) and the introduction of GPT-Legal, aimed at revolutionising the legal sector through Generative AI.
The launch of the Smart Port Challenge (SPC) 2024 by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and NUS Enterprise underscores Singapore’s commitment to smart maritime innovation. SPC2024 is expanding its reach globally with simultaneous launches in key markets and six international roadshows scheduled for June 2024.
Centred around themes like Maritime Green Technologies, Smart Shipping, Next-Generation Ports, and Digitalisation, the programme is poised to invigorate Singapore’s maritime ecosystem by attracting top talent and fostering investments in startups.
The challenges faced by cities today are immense but not insurmountable. Through knowledge sharing and the integration of smart technologies, cities can create liveable, vibrant, and sustainable environments for future generations. The World Cities Summit 2024, the Digital Enterprise Blueprint and the Smart Port Challenge reflect the importance of these efforts, encouraging collaboration for a sustainable future.
