Envisioning Our Future City
The advent of environmental technologies, as well as the rapid diffusion of digital technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence and the internet of things, have led to a proliferation of cities in Asia aspiring to be “smart cities”. The intelligent application of these technologies in dense urban settings holds the key to addressing many of our urban challenges—from environmental sustainability to livable cities, efficient transportation, and reliable utility and municipal services.
Just as importantly, smart cities are also a means to catalyse innovation and stimulate economic growth. For instance, Hong Kong’s recently-released Smart City Blueprint emphasises the creation of a ‘smart economy’ that is driven by fintech, the sharing economy, smart tourism, as well as extensive research and development. Similarly, Singapore’s Smart Nation and Digital Government initiative aims to transform its economy by fostering innovation and catalysing growth through smart technologies.
More than simply being tools for urban policy and municipal management, smart city technologies are expected to become growth industries in their own right and an important driver of competitiveness. According to Accenture, artificial intelligence could double annual economic growth rates in 2035 by changing the nature of work and acting as a new factor of production.
While Hong Kong was a pioneer and global leader in many aspects of technology, business, and urban innovations, the competition today is more intense. In some areas, Hong Kong already lags behind a few Asian cities/economies that are rapidly developing their innovation and digital technology capabilities. Given the strong competition that it faces from other leading Asian cities and financial centres such as Singapore, Shenzhen and Shanghai, Hong Kong’s smart city ambitions can provide it with the growth engine it needs to keep ahead of competitors in the region, and set the stage for it to export its model of smart city governance to the rest of Asia.
Objectives
• Provide industry and governments participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of what constitutes a smart city, and how Hong Kong can strive to be a leading smart city.
• Discuss the socio-economic benefits that being a smart city can bring to Hong Kong.
• Examine the policy levers, implementation challenges and organisational capabilities required to become a smart city, based on case studies of smart cities from Asia.
Curriculum
• Overview of Smart Cities and Global Smart Cities Development
• Smart Cities and Positioning of Hong Kong
• Global Trend in Smart Cities
• Applications - Smart Transportation
• Applications - Smart Utilities
• Applications - Smart Bulidings and Urban Spaces Singapore Experience
• Implementation - Big Data
• Implementation - Governance & Public Private Partnership
• Implementation - Cybersecurity
• Implementation - Organisational Change
• Case Studies and Group Discussions
Who Should Attend
The program is designed for senior executives and professionals in the government, non-profit and private sector, whether working at national or international levels. The program is well suited for senior civil servants across government agencies, as well as consultants and staff of international development agencies. Leaders from non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and corporations who are concerned with innovation and technology policy will also benefit from the program. Training in information technology, information management, or data science is not a requirement. Program participants hail from a broad variety of backgrounds, and have experience working in fields including finance, economic planning, infrastructure development, industry, trade, science and technology, information and communications, education, health, environment, and regional development.