IDC has set up a Smart City Evolution Index for Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) in what it says is “an effort to help establish the fundamental causes of the birth, evolution, and survival of key cities in the region.”
The index will take into consideration inputs from IDC analysts across the region, public opinion through online voting and the assessment of an International Advisory Council.
The public voting will focus on shortlisted cities across 14 smart city functional eServices: transportation; public works; smart buildings; smart grid; smart water; administration; economic development; land use and environmental management; permitting, licensing, inspection and zoning; public safety; education; tourism, arts, libraries, culture, open spaces; connected health; and social services.
The online survey, via Survey Monkey, opened on 1 August and closes on 10 August. Participants are required to review specific projects in each of the candidate cities and to rate these on a scale from ‘least desirable’ to ‘most desirable’.
Smart Cities are serious
According to Gerald Wang, research manager, IDC Government Insights, Asia/Pacific, the Smart City concept is not just an industry buzz phrase but “a serious effort that the public sector is closely looking at to transform and modernise key cities in Asia/Pacific.” He says that 92 percent of public sectors in the region believe in using ICT as a means to meet their operational and strategic objectives.”
According to IDC “Cities across Asia have the potential to leverage on available disruptive technologies and get inspirations from various smart city initiatives across the region. Smart City management functions have notably become more complex, spanning across multiple facets including socio-economic, cultural, environmental, and technological. The ability to create unique smart city ecosystems are now paramount in attracting a steady flow of investments and retaining top-notch talents necessary to remain globally competitive.”
