Global Seminars
Ideas, discussion and thinking on sustainable cities and settlement systems at the
intersection of science, design, place and time
Why a ‘smart city’ ismore than 5G and AI
‘Smart Cities’ have been discussed for decades, with the concept now synonymous with
high-tech – including 5G, Big Data, and AI. Despite the longevity of the concept, there
are few – if any – ‘smart cities’. Recognising this, the UNDP Global Centre for Technology,
Innovation, and Sustainable Development is working to broaden the definition of
a ‘smart city’. Through our work with cities around the world, it’s clear that ‘smartness’
is not just about technology. It’s about innovation – including frugal innovation and
nature-based solutions (as well as the high-tech); effective collaborations between all
of the different stakeholders in a city, and governance to enable these components.
Fundamentally, a truly smart city is one that is able to leverage its greatest asset: the
skills, aspirations, and engagement of its population. This redefinition is particularly
important in the context of many global priorities. Cities are crucial actors in COVID-
19 response and recovery, they play a central role in tackling and mitigating climate
change, and are essential partners for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
This importance demands broadening our understanding of what makes a city ‘smart’.
Presenter
Calum Handforth
Adviser, Smart Cities, Digitalisation, and Digital Health – UNDP Global Centre for
Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development
Future Cities Laboratory
Singapore-ETH Centre
License: CC-BY-NC-SA
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Ideas, discussion and thinking on sustainable cities and settlement systems at the
intersection of science, design, place and time
Why a ‘smart city’ ismore than 5G and AI
‘Smart Cities’ have been discussed for decades, with the concept now synonymous with
high-tech – including 5G, Big Data, and AI. Despite the longevity of the concept, there
are few – if any – ‘smart cities’. Recognising this, the UNDP Global Centre for Technology,
Innovation, and Sustainable Development is working to broaden the definition of
a ‘smart city’. Through our work with cities around the world, it’s clear that ‘smartness’
is not just about technology. It’s about innovation – including frugal innovation and
nature-based solutions (as well as the high-tech); effective collaborations between all
of the different stakeholders in a city, and governance to enable these components.
Fundamentally, a truly smart city is one that is able to leverage its greatest asset: the
skills, aspirations, and engagement of its population. This redefinition is particularly
important in the context of many global priorities. Cities are crucial actors in COVID-
19 response and recovery, they play a central role in tackling and mitigating climate
change, and are essential partners for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
This importance demands broadening our understanding of what makes a city ‘smart’.
Presenter
Calum Handforth
Adviser, Smart Cities, Digitalisation, and Digital Health – UNDP Global Centre for
Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Development
Future Cities Laboratory
Singapore-ETH Centre
License: CC-BY-NC-SA
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
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