Smart city is not just technology
At the program, the delegates exchanged and shared experiences on smart city development, digital transformation and innovation. Thereby helping delegates to access new knowledge and vision, grasp the general development of Binh Duong Smart City as well as other communities in the world, study and learn about the trends of the times, advanced technologies and innovations for socio-economic construction and development.
Delegates attend the program
In his speech, Mr. Louis Zacharilla - Co-founder of the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) emphasized that smart city is not only technology, the goal of smart city has been shifted from focus on technological solutions to people and their lives. According to him, the smart city development process is not only based on advanced technology but also needs a smart management system, ensuring an integrated and compatible network between new technology factors and local characteristics. In which, management includes both technology factors and systems thinking elements, how to allocate and exploit resources.
Mr. Louis Zacharilla - Co-founder of ICF speaks at the program
Talking more about this content, in his speech on digital transformation and innovation, Mr. Agus Argelich - President and founder of Argelich Networks, Professor of Lleida University said that technology is not the ultimate goal of digital transformation where technology is only the foundation to create welfare and prosperity for society. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global community and society, disrupted the global supply chain, and comprehensively affected all aspects of social life. Over the past two years, in such unprecedentedly challenging conditions, digital technology and innovation have proven to be the most important drivers of socio-economic recovery and progress. Thanks to technology, people can work from home, take online classes, shop for e-commerce, etc. Many digital services for healthcare are also developed. That confirms the ultimate purpose of digital transformation and innovation is people-centered, using technology to solve human needs.
Mr. Agus Argelich – President and Founder of Argelich Networks, Professor of Lleida University speaks at the program
According to Mr. Agus Argelich, the construction of a smart city affects the quality of people's lives expressed through 5 factors. The first is urban design and planning: The high rate of urbanization in Vietnam and the focus on developing new cities are the premise for innovative approaches, bringing modern infrastructure and many conveniences to the people. Second, portability and accessibility: The increase of private vehicles combined with the high rate of urbanization places great pressure on roads and public transport systems; developments such as shared mobility systems, micro-mobility options create a great premise for people's lives. Next comes a healthy environment: Replacing energy production with coal fuels and fossil fuel-based transportation systems with renewables improves air quality. At the same time, smart city solutions and digitization can have a positive impact on people's important needs such as health care, security, education, etc. And finally, e-Government and public services create convenience, save time and costs, better serve people and enterprises.
To carry out digital transformation and build a smart city, according to him, Vietnam in general and Binh Duong in particular need to focus on the following factors: Leadership; openness to new things; efforts to overcome challenges; suitability and connectivity; attitude and capacity.
Digital transformation – The key to growth
The discussion session on the topic "Digital transformation - The key to growth" focused on assessing the impacts of digital transformation on socio-economic development as well as building a smart city.
According to delegates, the Covid-19 pandemic brings many difficulties and challenges, but it is also the "motivation" to accelerate the digital transformation process. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the traditional and direct transaction methods could not be applied before, and the only way was to use digital technology. Strong digitization and innovation are seen as key to countries recovering from the pandemic and boosting economic growth.
Delegates exchange the topic "Digital transformation - The key to growth"
Accordingly, digital transformation needs to be focused on 7 important areas: e-government; e-health; e-commerce; e-learning; Remote work; Industry 4.0 and Mobility.
Binh Duong has implemented the Binh Duong Smart City Project since 2016 and has always adhered to the concept of economic transformation towards innovation and digitalization. Being supported and inspired by ICF's Intelligent Community of the Year (2011) - Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands), efforts and support from Becamex IDC Corp, Binh Duong has thoroughly applied digital transformation and innovation in specific projects, in order to build and develop Binh Duong more and more "smart", better and more livable. A digital ecosystem and innovation is being strongly developed in Binh Duong, such as: Intelligent Operation Center, EIU Campus with Becamex Business Incubator, Fablab, Advanced Manufacturing Center; World Trade Center WTC, etc. bringing a better life to Binh Duong community.
With the right strategies and firm and steady development steps of Binh Duong in recent years, Binh Duong has been in TOP 21 (Smart 21) four times in a row and entered TOP 7 for the first time in 2021, along with cities from countries such as Canada, Brazil, Australia, etc.
At the program, the delegates also listened to sharing about typical lessons from the post-industrial development model of Brainport Eindhoven (Netherlands).
Delegates listen to sharing from ICF experts
Reported by Phuong Chi- Translated by Thanh Tam