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SINGAPORE – The Republic has topped the Smart Cities Index for the second year in a row, and the team behind the ranking says the smart cities topping the list have better managed the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year’s ranking took into account how 109 cities harnessed technology in a lasting way to manage the coronavirus outbreak.
Singapore’s response to the crisis was noteworthy, the Swiss business school Institute of Management Development (IMD) said on Thursday (September 17).
Professor Arturo Bris, Director of the Center for Global Competitiveness at IMD, added in a statement: “We have observed Singapore’s performance over the past 12 months and have directly correlated Singapore’s continued success as this prompt response to an unexpected challenge where others cities have wavered. “
The city-state, Professor Bris said, had acted swiftly and decisively.
“He had a clear roadmap that he followed but remained flexible. The public was kept informed and, therefore, on board of the decisions and the loss of freedom that they entailed. The Government was in a position to offer adequate compensation to the harmed and he did so wisely, “said Professor Bris.
The survey results noted that a central pillar of Singapore’s success has been its “resilience and speed when faced with the unexpected challenges brought on by the pandemic.”
“As an example, more than 77 percent of the surveyed sample agreed that the information was clear and easily accessible on the clarity and ease of access to information on government decisions,” said the business school.
Professor Bris said cities with better technology have managed the pandemic better, but added: “Smart cities are not the solution, but technology helps.”
The index, which ranks cities by economic and technology data, was published by IMD in association with the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
It took into account citizens’ perceptions of how “smart” their cities are.
The team surveyed 120 residents of each city on their two-pillar ideas: “structures,” which refer to existing infrastructure; and “technology”, in terms of the technological benefits and services available to citizens.
Each pillar was then assessed in five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance.
“This year’s ranking reflects that cities have always different technological approaches, as the management of the pandemic has become increasingly important in local politics,” said IMD.
At this point, he noted that Indian cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru – suffered significant drops in rankings this year.
“This can be attributed to the detrimental effect that the pandemic has had where technological progress was not up to date. Indian cities have suffered the most from the pandemic because they were not prepared.
“Furthermore, a common factor behind the decline in all cities in India is a widespread decline experienced by all of them in the quality of city infrastructure despite technological solutions implemented to advance it,” said IMD.
Singapore is one of two Asian cities in the top 10, with Taipei dropping one notch to eighth place.
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