At the ASEAN Smart Cities Summit (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Smart planning plays a key role in developing smartcities, experts told a workshop held in Hanoi on October 22 within theframework of the ASEAN Smart Cities Summit and Expo 2020.
According to Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van, experience gainedfrom other countries reveals that a city cannot “go smarter” without smartplanning and effective tools to manage the development of urban areas based on suchplanning.
The construction ministry’s draft strategy on urban area development to 2030 andvision to 2050 highlights that the building of smart cities is important in turningVietnam into a modern and industrialised nation with high incomes by 2045, hesaid.
Despite its damaging impact, COVID-19 has opened up opportunities to raiseawareness among urban authorities about the significance of technology in day-to-daylife, Van said, and this creates the premise for the development of smartcities in Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole.
Meanwhile, President of the International Society of City and Regional PlannersAlfonso Vegara stressed that regional planning should be taken into accountwhile developing planning for Hanoi’s smart urban areas.
He went on to explain that design for smart cities must include sound regionalconnectivity as well as digitalised infrastructure connectivity, to boostfuture comprehensive growth.
President of the Association of Cities in Vietnam Vo Hong Anh said planning forthe development of smart urban areas should be integrated into long-termurbanisation strategies.
Planning for smart cities must be seen as a solid foundation for socio-economicdevelopment, and the planning process needs the engagement of ministries,scientists, and private enterprises, she added.
On a regional scale, smart city networks should be shaped to create better livesfor local people, the official said, adding that only with smart planning can localauthorities optimise the management of urban development, improve livelihoods,and create development opportunities to ensure that no one is left behind./.
VNA
