Smart urban development is a “big game.”

Speaking at the plenary session of the ASEAN Smart Cities Summit & Expo 2020, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said, as an active member of the Smart Cities Network In addition to being well aware of the trends of the time, Vietnam has made many policies and efforts to develop smart cities.

Building a smart city is one of the three central tasks in the national digital transformation of the industrial revolution 4.0; sustainable development of smart cities until 2025 and vision 2030 based on smart planning associated with smart management, providing smart public services, facilitating transactions between authorities / managers-people-investors.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

The Prime Minister said that smart urban development is really a “great game”, in which it is necessary to have “partners” with “vision” and “potential”, towards the goal of humanity. live a happy life, comprehensive human development, protect the environment and establish a sustainable urban ecosystem. Vietnam defines smart and sustainable urban development as a revolutionary direction to help improve national competitiveness.

The Prime Minister emphasized that smart urban development must be closely linked with a strong information infrastructure, building an e-government, the move towards digital government in Industrial Revolution 4.0, and urban development in Vietnam. .

Smart urban development must be based on the consideration of opportunities and risks, challenges associated with local needs and capacities, not following the movement, step by step, selective, according to the itinerary. .

Approach smart cities in an efficient direction, inheriting and promoting the experience of 35 years of innovation, at the same time developing the added values ​​that new technologies and techniques entail, promoting the distinctive cultural identity. specific characteristics of the ASEAN bloc and characteristics of the member states.

The provinces, along with the development of smart devices, should focus on building a smart database platform to make smart decisions; promote smart city planning and management solutions.

Attract the strong participation of the private sector, promote the capacity for innovation and creativity; create a strong spill effect. A smart city must be the city of people, the company creates, it is a city with good social relations, preserving and promoting good cultural traditions, human relations with human beings. .

Continue promoting strategic scientific programs, develop high-quality human resources, harmonize innovation programs, digital transformation and orientation to the sustainable development of smart cities.

Sustainable development

At the forum, the head of the Central Economic Committee, Nguyen Van Binh, said that the need for sustainable smart urban development is increasingly urgent.

It is estimated that up to 55% of the world’s population lives in cities and it is forecast that around 70% of the world’s population will choose to live in cities by 2050. Cities generate approximately 80% of global GDP. but at the same time it is responsible for 70% of CO2 worldwide. The fourth industrial revolution is taking place and it is dramatically changing the face of cities.

In the ASEAN region, more than half the population currently lives in cities and the urbanization process remains strong. Urbanization offers opportunities for socio-economic development, improvement and enhancement of people’s lives, but it also poses many challenges due to the increasing concentration of the population, such as the enormous consumption of resources. negative impacts on the environment and overload of technical and social infrastructure systems.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the exhibition of typical models and technologies for smart cities. Photo: VGP

In particular, in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic and negative global impacts, the effects of climate change are increasingly evident, leading to the need for the sustainable development of smart cities. Absolutely necessary.

“The big question is how can urbanization and digital transformation help countries to seize opportunities for socio-economic development and, at the same time, increase efficiency. Utilize resources, limit negative impacts on the environment, and reduce the burden on technical and social infrastructure systems? ”Said Nguyen Van Binh, Head of the Central Economic Commission.

Mr. Pham Hong Ha, Minister of Construction, said that smart urban development is a great game in which it not only promises good results but also contains risks. Vietnam is in the first steps on the path of getting closer, increasing knowledge and applying new knowledge. The world will continue to study this trend to find a more optimal solution.

But in the short term, the efforts of all countries to determine the appropriate “smart” in the development context of their country is very important, to contribute to the development of smart cities together. particular and sustainable development in the world in general.

As a ministry specializing in urban construction development, the Ministry of Construction will continue to work more closely with relevant ministries, agencies and agencies, international partners and at all levels. local government to promote smart urbanization and urban development, towards the central goal of quality of life, human development and sustainability.

Duy Anh