Selangor Journal

Smarter cities through digitalisation

Photo taken from The Star

By Syauqi Jamil & Batrisya Jay

KUALA LUMPUR: Globally growing population are putting strains on city infrastructure leading to demands in efficient resources deployment.

Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said that like many other developing nations, Malaysia too are looking out for a more viable solution in managing its resources.

He said there is an emerging need for cities to become smarter in order for the nation to utilise smart solutions in tackling issues related with a large scale urbanisation.

“A smart city can be defined as a city that uses information technology so that its critical infrastructure as well as public services are much more interactive and efficient.

“Their civil services may actively engage with citizens in order to improve the quality of life,” he said.

In his officiating speech for the National Mayor Roundtable session at the Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention 2018, Raja Bahrin hoped that through the event, Malaysia will be one step closer in having smart cities.

Naming Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru as Malaysia’s top three most populated cities, Raja Bahrin said these settlements have major impact on the economic and social development of the nation.

The Dewan Negara senator explained that this was due to the fact that major city centres around the world are the main contributors when it comes to resources consumption.

“By 2050, 70% of people will be living in the cities and it is projected that every cities would have about 10 milliom inhabitants.

“75% of the world resources and energy are consumed by cities and 80% of greenhouse gasses are generated by cities, despite occupying only 2% of terriories,” he said.

Selangor Smart City & Digital Economy Convention 2018 earlier organised Malaysia’s first ever National Mayor Roundtable which is spearheaded by his ministry and co-organised by the Selangor state government.

The session aims to dissect three important issues that cities face, which includes traffic and mobility, communication and connectivity as well as smart waste management.

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