Lee-Lean Shu, CEO, GSI Technology. Cities are changing in ways most people are only now starting to notice. To put it simply, they’re getting a lot smarter. Sure, we’ve heard about smart cities for over a decade, but those early promises and predictions of a fully connected urban life have never really come to fruition. Now, however, things are starting to come into focus. But before we get there, let’s take a step back. The first wave of IoT-powered “smart” products to hit the market were tailored for the home: things like smart locks, smart bulbs, smart thermostats and smart smoke detectors. Sure, as individual products they were pretty cool. But the overarching benefits of greater efficiency, safety and cost savings never materialized. That’s probably why the bigger vision of a fully integrated smart home never really caught on. Sure, you could build your own integrations with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and a pile of compatible third-party devices, but that was limited to DIY hobbyists and high-end installations. As a result, the smart home never went mainstream. Commercial building service providers did a bit better. Integrators connected lighting, HVAC and power systems, but even that was a narrower win than the industry once imagined. So what’s different now? The answer is edge convergence. The sensors, low-cost microcontrollers and ubiquitous connectivity that excited everyone about IoT in the first place have now been joined by cloud-based AI and cheap remote cameras. Put all those pieces together with AI and you get a level of automation that simply wasn’t economical a decade ago. “Smart cities” can now use cloud-based AI to spot patterns in real time, and that capability is being put to work on public safety. The Huge Payoff Of Smarter Cities This evolution has quietly produced a market that’s already
Aug 4, 2026 · via forbes.com
One of the United States’s fastest-growing cities, the City of Raleigh prioritizes alleviating traffic congestion. To evaluate how traffic moves through intersections, the city traditionally relied on manual monitoring, a time-consuming, costly process. The city migrated video feeds from 12 traffic cameras to Microsoft Azure and used software from NVIDIA and Esri to analyze traffic patterns and create real-time digital twins. The city moved from concept to pilot in just six weeks. The City of Raleigh expects to save commuters $9.7 million in time and travel costs by improving traffic flow with insights from the digital twins. City employees are finding new opportunities to apply the technology to enhance or expand services. $9.7 million in potential commuter savings 2 engineers have the output of 10–20 “In 2025, we had an opportunity to partner with Microsoft, NVIDIA and Esri to integrate our data into a digital twin, which creates a virtual environment of our city where we can visualize and potentially analyze scenarios.” James Alberque, GIS and Emerging Technology Manager, City of Raleigh A North Carolina bustling metropolis, the City of Raleigh is reshaping government services for its more than 500,000 residents and 19 million annual visitors. To help alleviate traffic congestion, the city collaborated with Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Esri to apply AI technology to video feeds and create real-time digital twins. The City of Raleigh expects to save commuters $9.7 million in time and travel costs by optimizing timing patterns at one of its busiest corridors while exploring additional ways to harness AI. Alleviating traffic concerns for half a million residents Raleigh has been one of the fastest-growing US cities for over two decades. To keep pace, city employees are harnessing cutting-edge technology to improve services. “The city organization is very supportive of leveraging technology to solve our population challenges
Aug 3, 2026 · via microsoft.com
Qualcomm Announces Shortlisted Teams for the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026 Press Release Date 04-06-2026 Twenty-Eight innovative startups selected to participate in a 6-month incubation program with a chance to win $255,000 in cash prizes HANOI, VIETNAM, April 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, announced the shortlisted companies for the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2026 (QVIC) program on March 30, 2026. Twenty-Eight hi-tech teams specializing in industry sectors such as Smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics/ Drones, Healthcare, AgriTech, and more, have been selected into the program. They will receive a program grant, technical support (especially in AI and data analytics), business coaching, intellectual property training and patent incentives to further develop their proposals during an initial 3-month incubation period. Fifteen of the twenty-eight startups will advance to a three‑month acceleration phase with additional technical support and patent‑filing incentives, culminating in a chance to win prizes totaling USD 255,000 at a finale event to be held in August 2026. The selection of shortlisted companies was based on various criteria, including their technical capabilities, innovative products, patentable technologies, and relevance to Vietnam's digital transformation and Industry 4.0. “The Department of Startup and Technology Enterprises (NATEC) highly appreciates the Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge (QVIC) initiative by Qualcomm in supporting Vietnam’s innovation and startup ecosystem. The expansion of QVIC 2026 from 10 to 28 supported startups and research projects demonstrates Qualcomm’s strong commitment to accompanying Vietnamese startups and researchers in developing pioneering technological solutions. DSTE believes that the program will continue to create opportunities for startups and research teams in Vietnam to develop valuable technology solutions, contributing positively to the national goal of fostering economic development based on science, technology, and innovation.” “Vietnam continues to be a strategic hub for cultivating breakthrough innovation, and its startups,
Aug 3, 2026 · via natlawreview.com
Dive Brief: - Homelessness increased in Los Angeles County by 1.2% and in the city of Los Angeles by 3.4% in 2026 after two consecutive years of declines, a July 24 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority report found. - Unsheltered homelessness increased in both municipalities, rising by 3.3% in the county and nearly 8% in the city. - Agencies and officials specializing in homelessness pointed to reductions in state and federal funding for homeless services last year as the primary cause for the increases. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a news release the rise was expected and blamed a new policy and funding landscape for pushing “more people onto the streets.” Dive Insight: A loss of funding and resources for time-limited rental subsidies, also known as rapid rehousing, was the largest contributor to the uptick in homelessness, according to the LAHSA report. The low-barrier, short-term rental housing subsidy program provided rental assistance for up to 24 months. Funding reductions forced a pause on the program, reducing the number of people it housed from 10,308 in 2024 to 6,590 last year, according to LAHSA. “This year’s count confirms a fundamental truth: access to permanent housing ends homelessness,” Gita O’Neill, interim CEO of LAHSA, said in a news release. “When our unhoused neighbors lost access to rental subsidies, the system slowed, there was less upward movement in interim housing, and progress stalled.” California last year also significantly slashed funding available through the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, despite an outcry from local government leaders, who warned that progress made on homelessness could be reversed. The state has since revamped the HHAP program and restored $900 million for it in its latest budget. Los Angeles is in the midst of a struggle over how to take a unified approach
Aug 3, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Energy Transition Facing Energy Challenges: Empowering Tunisian Housholds to Embrace Solar Energy 49.7°C in Kairouan, Tunisia recorded on July 18, 2026. This single figure underscores the urgency of the situation. Last week,FNF Tunisia, in partnership with the Tunisian Women Network for Energy Transition, brought together experts, institutions, and civil society for a crucial debate: "Facing Energy Challenges: The Potential of Residential Solar Power for Tunisian Households." The event was moderated by Dr. Essia Znouda of the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT). A Country at the Crossroads of Three Transitions Tunisia is facing the convergence of three transitions at once: climate, energy, and social. Summer consumption peaks are skyrocketing reaching 4,383 MW in July 2026, of which roughly 1,200 MW is attributable to air conditioning alone. Nearly 2.8 million air conditioning units are currently installed across the country, more than 1 million of which do not comply with efficiency standards. Against this backdrop, the panel discussions explored not only the technical dimensions of the crisis, but also its human and social stakes. Panel 1: Understanding the Crisis The first panel opened with an uncomfortable question: has Tunisia entered a state of energy emergency? Speakers examined the structural pressures driving the country's energy system rising demand, import dependency, and constraints on the national grid. The discussion then broadened to climate justice. Extreme heat does not affect everyone equally, and the right to affordable energy must be protected particularly for low-income households and other vulnerable groups who are the least equipped to cope with rising energy costs and worsening heat exposure. Panel 2: Residential Solar Power as a Concrete Solution The second panel, featuring experts from the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME), the solar installation sector, and the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), focused on the PROSOL Elec program Tunisia's
Aug 3, 2026 · via freiheit.org
Dive Brief: - The Federal Railroad Administration proposed a new rule governing noise standards for trains operating at speeds exceeding 160 mph and a special approval process for trains operating above 220 mph. Existing regulations only cover trains operating up to 160 mph. - The agency is basing its upgraded noise standards on European Union regulations, an established standard that is largely consistent with U.S. standards. Some passenger trains in Italy, Spain, France and Germany run at speeds up to 224 mph. - The standardized rule would provide cost benefits to high-speed rail operators and project developers in the U.S. and is authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Dive Insight: While Amtrak Acela trains in the Northeast Corridor can reach speeds up to 160 mph, two high-speed rail projects underway in California and Nevada plan to operate 220 mph trains. At current speeds, mechanical and propulsion noise — such as tracks and locomotives — combine with some aerodynamic noise to create the total noise experienced as a train passes. However, above 160 mph, aerodynamic or wind noise dominates, according to the FRA. “One of the reasons we don’t have true high speed rail in the United States is because current rules disadvantage trains that generate most of their noise from sources other than their engines and rolling stock instead of approaching the issue holistically,” FRA Administrator David Fink said in a statement. “Updating this rule will remove a major obstacle railroads currently face when trying to operate high speed trains.” The FRA estimates the new rule could save high-speed rail developers $100 million over the next 30 years. The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Trump administration, canceled $4 billion in grants to the California High-Speed Rail Authority and ended support for a proposed Dallas-Houston high-speed rail
Aug 3, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Former Shell Exec Anna Mascolo Becomes New Vestas President Former Shell executive Anna Mascolo has been named President of Northern & Central Europe and Global Offshore at Vestas, taking over from Nils de Baar as the wind energy company continues to capitalise on demand for cleaner power. Anna joins Vestas from Shell, where she spent almost 20 years across two stints, sandwiched by a four-year period at Rolls-Royce SMR. From 2021, she focused on low-carbon energy solutions and went on to become Shell’s Executive Vice President for Low Carbon Solutions in July 2023. Anna's remit Anna will oversee Northern and Central Europe alongside the company’s global offshore business, two areas central to Europe’s push for secure and sustainable electricity supply. “I am excited to join the company at such an important time for the industry. Northern & Central Europe is a region with tremendous opportunities as countries continue to pursue ambitious climate and energy goals,” says Anna. “I look forward to joining my peers… and working with Vestas’ talented team, our customers and our partners to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions and create long-term value for all stakeholders.” She replaces Nils de Baar, who has worked at Vestas for 11 years, leading Northern and Central Europe since 2018 and the Global Offshore unit since January 2026. He is expected to depart in September after a handover period. “It has been a privilege to lead Northern & Central Europe and work alongside great colleagues, customers and partners,” says Nils. “Together, we have built a strong business and contributed significantly to the deployment of renewable energy across the region. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and confident that the region is well-positioned for continued success. “Anna is an outstanding leader with extensive experience across the energy value
Aug 3, 2026 · via energydigital.com
Abstract In the digital-economy era, can policies represented by the national big data comprehensive pilot zones and the smart city pilot program work in tandem to effectively foster urban green development? Using panel data for 251 Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2006-2022 and a staggered DID model, this paper evaluates the multidimensional impacts of “digital-intelligent” policy collaboration on regional green transition. The findings are as follows: first, the dual-pilot policy significantly raises green total factor productivity in pilot cities, promotes local green transition, and generates marked green spatial spillovers; Second, the green co-empowerment effect of digital-intelligent policies is closely tied to regional characteristics and is further shaped by talent agglomeration and the strength of intellectual property protection; Third, mechanism analysis shows that the collaboration advances urban green development by improving energy consumption levels, enhancing digital technological innovation capacity, and strengthening industrial agglomeration; Fourth, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the empowering effect is more pronounced in regions with higher digital-economy development, stronger new-energy transitions, greater fiscal capacity, and service-oriented industrial structures; Fifth, further evidence shows that the empowering effect is strongest when green technological innovation surpasses a certain level and environmental regulation is of moderate intensity. In addition, compared with single pilots, dual pilots better promote urban green transition, and a sequencing strategy that implements “digital” before “intelligent” achieves superior outcomes. These results offer important guidance for local governments to coordinate multi-policy portfolios, harness synergistic policy effects, and accelerate economy-wide green transition. Similar content being viewed by others Subjects Acknowledgements This work is financially supported by the National Social Science Fund Project: Statistical Measurement, Formation Mechanisms, and Targeted Policy Research on Disruptive Innovation in the Digital Intelligence Era (25BTJ030). Ethics declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by
Aug 3, 2026 · via nature.com
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Office announced that Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong has signed Decision No. 4714/QD-UBND, approving the city's Smart City Development Plan for the 2026-2030 period, with a vision extending to 2045. The plan places residents and businesses at the center of smart city development, with the goal of transforming urban governance through data-driven decision-making and digital technologies. It also seeks to enhance quality of life, accelerate the digital economy and promote sustainable growth. Under the plan, Ho Chi Minh City will develop a shared urban data platform, upgrade its Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), Digital Twin technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced data analytics to support urban management, forecasting, risk warning and operational optimization. The city will implement the plan in a coordinated manner, enhancing data sharing, safeguarding information security and protecting personal data. By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to be among the world's top 50 smart cities. It also targets becoming one of Vietnam's three national smart city operations centers by 2035 and reaching the highest level of maturity under the national Sustainable Smart City Criteria by 2045, while positioning itself as a leading science, technology and innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.sggp.org.vn
Local communities are often on the front lines in major emergencies and disasters. The ability for communities and states to effectively respond and recover from disasters depends largely on actions taken before the disaster. Proactive procurement is an essential component of emergency disaster preparedness. The benefits of early planning and effective procurement preparation will include responding to and mitigating the extreme damages of a disaster, restoring essential services and engaging in the recovery and reconstruction process. Every dollar counts during a time of need. Here are three guidelines to keep in mind to help stretch your agency’s budget through Amazon Business. 1. Create a workflow to make quick purchases When planning, you want to ensure that your team is purchasing items that align with your agency’s policies and not adding unauthorized items to the cart. Amazon Business online store allows departments that use tools like Guided Buying, a Business Prime feature, to create multiple workflows for separate budgets or approval needs, restrict certain items and automate the ordering process. Guided Buying takes the mystery out of shopping for work by providing clear answers to the question: What am I allowed to buy? Government purchase card administrators can set their accounts to default to these policy parameters, setting guardrails for cardholders to purchase within agency requirements and drive toward purchasing goals. Buyers can pick the recommended product based on agency preferences. This option appears at the top of the search making it quick to locate and purchase. 2. Fast and reliable shipping matters In a time of need, every second counts. Procuring items from Amazon Business offers benefits like Same Day shipping on eligible products. Manage your delivery preferences to receive your orders when it’s most convenient. Agencies can also consolidate all shipments to arrive on the day of their choice
Aug 3, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Amundi Asset Management: Delisting of 26 UCITS ETF Share Classes from London Stock Exchange Source: EQS | Delisting of 26 UCITS ETF Share Classes from Please note that Following a review, The last day of trading on The ETF and UCITS ETF Share Classes will not be liquidated within the scope of this Operation. Following the above-mentioned delisting of the relevant UCITS ETF Share Classes, ISIN, and Sub-Funds parameters will remain unchanged and at least one listing on another Prior to the delisting date, if you want to sell these UCITS ETF Share Classes before the last day of trading, you may do so on the current stock exchanges. Following the delisting date, you can continue to hold these UCITS ETF Share Classes but will no longer be able to sell those UCITS ETF Share Classes on the stock exchanges from which they will be delisted. Should you wish to sell your UCITS ETF Share Classes after the delisting date, you or your financial intermediary will need to transfer those UCITS ETF Shares Classes to a different exchange on which the ETF Share Class remain listed (as detailed in Appendix 1). If you choose not to sell these UCITSETF Share Classes before the delisting date, you may potentially incur higher trading costs when selling via another stock exchange or you may find that your financial intermediary may not readily offer trading on another stock exchange. Investors should seek their own professional advice as to the suitability of any of the options described above. Investors should note that the delisting of the affected UCITS ETF Share Classes and related actions as described above should not result in a taxable event. However, Investors in the UCITS ETF are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the effect of the delisting in light
Aug 3, 2026 · via markets.ft.com
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN member states and China in marking a milestone with the finalisation of the landmark agreement, the Ipoh Accord, during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing 2026 (ACMROCH 2026). In alignment with the objectives of the Ipoh Accord, Deputy Minister of Development Datin Seri Paduka Dr Dayang Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak delivered Brunei Darussalam's country statement, underscoring the nation's firm commitment, guided by Brunei Vision 2035, across four priority areas. These priority areas include affordable and quality housing for all by maintaining policies that provide subsidised land and infrastructure, while actively exploring cost-effective smart home designs, age-inclusive features for seniors and youth, and alternative financing models to accelerate housing delivery. Brunei is also focusing on resilient urban planning and climate adaptation by integrating resilience strategies into urban planning through eco-friendly standards, flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation to ensure development remains balanced with the preservation of the natural environment and cultural heritage. The country is strengthening essential urban services through continuous efforts to upgrade core utilities such as water supply, road connectivity, drainage, waste management and energy systems to guarantee efficiency and comprehensive well-being for residents. It is also investing in smart and sustainable infrastructure by leveraging digital technologies and data-driven solutions to future-proof infrastructure in line with its smart city aspirations. The deputy minister also announced Brunei Darussalam's intention to host the fifth edition of ACMROCH in 2027, marking a historic chapter for the nation. It will be organised in conjunction with Visit Brunei Year 2027. The meeting, which concluded in Ipoh, Perak, on Saturday, was co-chaired by China and Malaysia. It was attended by ministers and delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. The roundtable, themed "Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, and
Aug 3, 2026 · via thestar.com.my
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs EVALUATIONS OF MEASURABLE OUTCOMES DELIVERED BY SCM प्रविष्टि तिथि: 03 AUG 2026 6:03PM by PIB Delhi NITI Aayog in its report titled ‘Evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in Package 4 – Urban Transformation and Skill Development’ published in September 2025, has concluded that the Smart Cities Mission demonstrates strong alignment with national urban priorities and citizen needs, contributing significantly to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As per the report, the Mission has achieved a high project completion rate of 93% of 8,063 projects and 100% completion of Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs), leading to measurable improvements in urban liveability, mobility, safety, and environmental outcomes. Under Smart Cities Mission (SCM), as reported by the States/UTs as on 31.03.2026, a total 8,064 projects amounting to ₹1,64,811 Cr were taken up out of which 7,790 projects (97% of total projects undertaken) worth ₹1,56,257 Cr have been completed. The key achievements and transformative outcomes of SCM inter-alia includes: - - 100 ICCCs established for functions spanning crime monitoring, citizen safety, transport, waste, water, and disaster management - Public Safety and Security: More than 83,000 CCTV surveillance cameras installed - Vibrant Public Spaces:1,300+ public-space projects completed, along with conservation of 484 heritage sites and market redevelopments in 58 cities - Water Supply:17,000+ km of water supply network monitored via SCADA, reducing leakages and non-revenue water - Solid Waste Management: ICCCs monitor RFID-enabled waste-collection vehicles, improving routes and collection efficiency - Mobility:1,700+ km of smart, accessible roads built, with ITMS deployed and monitored via ICCCs for better traffic management - Public Private Partnership (PPP): 194 projects worth ₹9,190 Cr with have been completed. Post closure of SCM on 31.03.2025, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued Advisory No. 27 dated 10th June, 2025 to all States/
Aug 3, 2026 · via pib.gov.in
Australia’s AI transformation is entering a new phase. The conversation is no longer about experimenting with chatbots or testing isolated proof-of-concepts. Instead, organisations are beginning to ask a far more important question: how do we turn artificial intelligence into measurable business outcomes? That challenge was at the centre of a panel discussion featuring David McKeering, Executive Managing Director, NTT DATA ANZ, Vanessa Van Beek, Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Fortescue, and Natalie Piucco, Google Field CTO for Applied AI, moderated by Fear & Greed co-host Sean Aylmer during the launch of NTT DATA’s AI Innovation Centre in Sydney. While the panellists represented enterprise technology, mining and hyperscale cloud services, a common message emerged for smart cities, critical infrastructure operators and local government leaders alike: successful AI adoption will depend less on the technology itself and more on collaboration, governance, trust and courageous leadership. David McKeering said organisations are now recognising that innovation alone is no longer sufficient. “Innovation in isolation is fine,” he observed, “but if you can do innovation with true collaboration and having that diversity of thought, you’ll get a much better outcome.” For Australia’s growing smart cities ecosystem, that observation is particularly relevant. Modern cities increasingly rely on interconnected transport systems, utilities, digital services, emergency management and public infrastructure that span multiple organisations and jurisdictions. No single council, technology provider or government agency possesses every capability required to successfully deploy AI at scale. Instead, McKeering argued that solving complex problems requires bringing together industry, academia, government and technology partners to create genuine collaboration rather than isolated innovation. Fortescue offered a practical example of what mature AI adoption already looks like. Vanessa Van Beek explained that AI has become embedded across the company’s mining operations, corporate functions, project delivery and decarbonisation strategy. Rather than treating AI as
Aug 3, 2026 · via australiancybersecuritymagazine.com.au
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung recently chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies to discuss the establishment of the Hung Yen High-Tech Park. During the session, the Deputy PM reached a consensus on the proposal to be submitted to the Prime Minister for a final decision on the park's establishment. He also mandated the Hung Yen Provincial People’s Committee to issue the park's operational regulations, ensuring full legal compliance and accelerating the implementation process. The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to lead the drafting of the establishment decision. The ministry will coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, the Provincial People’s Committee, and the Office of the Government to finalize the documentation and submit it to the Prime Minister for signing by August 5, 2026. According to a report from the Government Office, the dossier submitted by the Ministry of Science and Technology has incorporated feedback from relevant ministries and is essentially finalized. Following a comprehensive review, the Government Office expressed its support for the proposal to establish the high-tech park. As outlined by the Hung Yen Provincial People’s Committee, the high-tech park is slated for construction in Hoan Long and Viet Yen communes, covering an area of approximately 496.1 ha. The location is strategically chosen to leverage high-quality human resources from Hanoi while strengthening connections with the production and logistics chains of the Northern Key Economic Zone, which includes Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho, and Ninh Binh provinces.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vneconomy.vn
Ho Chi Minh City has officially approved a smart city development scheme for the 2026–2030 period, with a vision extending to 2045. According to the scheme, the southern city aims to develop its smart city infrastructure based on a model of green growth and data-driven governance. By leveraging digital technology, the city intends to enhance the efficiency of state management, improve the quality of urban services, and boost both the residents' quality of life and the city’s overall competitiveness. By 2030, the city targets a position among the top 50 smartest cities in the world. The scheme identifies citizens as the centerpiece of this development process, aiming to provide urban services that are transparent, convenient, and safe, while actively encouraging community participation. By 2035, the city strives to become one of three national smart city operation centers, playing a key role in coordinating data, technology, and innovation. By 2045, it aims to achieve the highest level of smart city maturity according to the National Sustainable Smart City Criteria. Simultaneously, it seeks to establish itself as a leading science, technology, and innovation hub within the Asia-Pacific region. The scheme outlines nine fundamental principles for smart city development: ensuring legal compliance and unified management; placing citizens and businesses at the center; utilizing data as the foundation for development; ensuring interoperability, integration, and shared resources; guaranteeing information security and privacy rights; emphasizing the responsibility of leadership; implementing projects in a safe and controlled manner; following a roadmap aligned with available resources; and maintaining openness and flexibility while avoiding technological dependence.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vneconomy.vn
According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. By 2030, Bac Ninh plans to establish a data-driven smart governance model, operate an integrated smart city operations centre (IOC), and incorporate City Information Modelling (CIM) into urban planning, with the long-term goal of developing a digital twin of the province. The province will prioritise digital infrastructure and smart services in healthcare, environmental management, water supply and wastewater treatment, waste management, transport and other essential sectors, while ensuring interoperability, open APIs and cybersecurity by design. To achieve its target, Bac Ninh will establish a provincial smart city coordination council, introduce a regulatory sandbox for innovative technologies, and accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, including 5G, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). The province also plans to expand smart applications in transport, energy, public lighting, water management, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and smart industrial parks. Bac Ninh is already among Viet Nam's leading localities in smart city development. It has established an integrated smart operations centre, deployed smart urban management solutions in key urban areas, and achieved 100% mobile coverage, with 5G services reaching more than 92% of the population. The province has also launched pilot IOC scenarios for real-time governance across sectors including public administration, healthcare, education, transport and socio-economic management.
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.nhandan.vn
Bac Ninh targets world's top 50 smart cities by 2030 According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. Monday, August 03, 2026 06:29 A view of Kinh Bac Ward in Bac Ninh Province. (Photo: VNA) Bac Ninh (VNA) – The northern province of Bac Ninh aims to rank among the world's top 50 smart cities by 2030, using data and digital transformation as the foundation for sustainable urban development, contributing to its effort to become a centrally governed city. According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Pham Hoang Son, the province will pursue a people-centred smart city model driven by science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to improve public services, urban management and competitiveness. By 2030, Bac Ninh plans to establish a data-driven smart governance model, operate an integrated smart city operations centre (IOC), and incorporate City Information Modelling (CIM) into urban planning, with the long-term goal of developing a digital twin of the province. The province will prioritise digital infrastructure and smart services in healthcare, environmental management, water supply and wastewater treatment, waste management, transport and other essential sectors, while ensuring interoperability, open APIs and cybersecurity by design. To achieve its target, Bac Ninh will establish a provincial smart city coordination council, introduce a regulatory sandbox for innovative technologies, and accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, including 5G, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). The province also plans to expand smart applications in transport, energy, public lighting, water management, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and smart industrial parks. Bac Ninh is already among Vietnam's leading localities in smart city development. It has established an integrated smart operations
Aug 3, 2026 · via en.vietnamplus.vn
The public University of Macau (UM) launched five new faculties and two research institutes on Saturday as part of a major restructuring aimed at strengthening science and technology education, supporting Macau’s appropriate economic diversification, and expanding the university’s role in innovation and research, according to a UM statement issued that day. The new academic units, which commenced operations on Saturday, comprise the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Information Science and Computing, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Design, the Institute of Smart City Technologies, and the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Sciences, the statement said. According to the statement, the restructuring is intended to bolster UM’s science and technology capabilities, support educational integration between Macau and Hengqin, and enhance talent development in line with national and regional development strategies. UM Rector Yonghua Song (also known as Song Yonghua) said that the restructuring aligns with the country’s goal of becoming a science and technology powerhouse, facilitates the integrated development of education, technology and talent in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and supports Macau’s economic diversification, the statement noted. Song added that the restructuring followed two years of research, expert consultation and approval processes, allowing the university to consolidate its teaching and research resources while strengthening its science and technology education and cutting-edge research, the statement said. The statement underlined that the five new faculties will establish a sci-tech framework spanning basic sciences, engineering, information technology, medicine and design, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across medicine, engineering, information science and intelligent technologies. The university also plans to expand cooperation with leading international institutions through joint talent cultivation, academic exchanges and research collaboration, while further internationalising its student body, faculty and academic programmes, the statement pointed out. It added that the two new research institutes
Aug 3, 2026 · via macaupostdaily.com
Letter: A smart surface solution for our overheating cities
Subscribe to unlock this article
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for 4 weeks
Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.
Explore more offers.
Standard Digital
$45 per month
Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.
Premium Digital
Complete coverage
$75 per month
Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.
FT Digital Edition
$16.99 per month
Our digitised version of the FT newspaper, for easy reading on any device.
Check whether you already have access via your university or organisation.
Terms & Conditions apply
Explore our full range of subscriptions.
For individuals
Discover all the plans currently available in your country
For multiple readers
Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content.
Why the FT?
See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.
Aug 3, 2026 · via ft.com