Smart Cities

How should technology shape human-centric cities of tomorrow?

Artificial intelligence, advanced smart grid systems, the advent of the Metaverse – there has been an unprecedented surge in smart technologies in recent years. How can the transformative potential of these smart tools be unlocked to reinvent liveable cities for all?

Plenary I:
How do we create human-centric smart cities?

Cities should not be ‘smart’ for smart’s sake. This plenary explores how technologies can be harnessed to overcome social challenges and build trust, inclusivity, safety and accessibility for people.

Moderator:

• Dr Aaron Maniam, Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education, Oxford Blavatnik School

Panelists:

• Jaclyn Tsai, Advisor of Taipei City Government
• Iñigo Zubizarreta, Mayor's Special Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda and International Affairs, Bilbao
• Daniel Sazonov, Deputy Mayor, Helsinki
• M Jae Moon, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Underwood Distinguished Professor of the Department of Public Administration, Director of the Institute for Future Government, Yonsei University
• Clarence Anthony, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, National League of Cities
• Chew Men Leong, President, Urban Solutions, ST Engineering

Plenary II:
What makes a city truly smart?

Cities are complex adaptive systems. Technologies need to be sensitively designed and implemented to synergise long-term infrastructure development with responsive urban governance and management. This plenary discusses how developing a science of cities, backed by data and scientific analysis, can enhance understanding, and support, how cities work.

Moderator:

• David Tan, Assistant Chief Executive Officer, JTC Corporation

Panelists:

• Councillor Susan Aitken, Mayor, Glasgow
• Nuon Pharat, Vice Governor, Phnom Penh
• Professor Xue Lan, Cheung Kong Chair Distinguished Professor, Dean of Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University
• M Jae Moon, Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Underwood Distinguished Professor of the Department of Public Administration, Director of the Institute for Future Government, Yonsei University
• Dan Hill, Director, Melbourne School of Design

Track Sessions

These are deep dives within each thematic track, featuring panel discussions, special convening sessions and roundtables.


Smart Cities – Towards Net-Zero Districts with Connected Intelligence
(led by JTC Corporation)

How can cities lead the charge towards net-zero? Decarbonizing cities requires a developmental life cycle approach that harnesses connected intelligence. Join JTC, country and city leaders, and industry experts to discuss intelligent systems and solutions in planning, design, construction, and operations of smart and sustainable cities. Discover how these efforts shape a liveable, smart, and sustainable urban future, and a city for all.

Panelists:

• Iñigo Zubizarreta, Mayor's Special Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda and International Affairs, Bilbao
• Sandra Jensen Landi, Ambassador of Denmark to Singapore and Brunei
• Robin Li, Vice President, Smart Sustainable City, Univers

Smart Cities – Designed for People: Expert Insights on Building Smarter Cities
(led by the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP)

Today technology is everywhere but access to - and use of it - remains uneven. We are all talking about AI, 5G, IoT, and Big Data. But how can we best use these tools to improve people’s lives in cities? UNDP has carefully selected global experts and thought leaders to feature unique and engaging ‘Lightning Talks’ that will get you up-to-speed with the latest technologies for your city and highlight ways to build ‘Smarter Cities’ - places where people, not technology, are the priority. And where thoughtful usage of technology can make a real difference for people’s lives and livelihoods.