Transition to smart city needed to better serve citizens: speakers
Different service providing agencies must work together to learn and engage with technology and formulate appropriate policies that will support smart city solutions in order to serve citizens better, speakers said at a seminar yesterday.
Speaking at the seminar organised by Science and Technology Affairs Sub-committee of Awami League at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, they said the transition to smart cities is imperative to improve quality of life, ensure economic growth with better employment opportunities and efficient delivery of basic services.
In Bangladesh, several cities are already enjoying services like strengthening of IT sector, mobile crowd sensing, IT-based transportation services and e-communication -- included in the smart city concept -- with initiation of “Digital Bangladesh” campaign of the present government, said Prof M Habibur Rahman, head of Civil Engineering department of Buet.
However, the whole spectrum of smart city concept can be fully explored to make the best use of opportunities provided by this type of urbanisation for inclusive development in future, he added.
A smart city is a place where the needs of local communities, the quality of environment (citizens’ well-being) and economic development are put forward -- considering the overall sustainability with the integration of available technologies, Habibur said.
Smart learning is necessary for a smart city and to achieve it, personalised learning in classroom, collaboration and engagement are required, said Prof Dr Munaz Ahmed Noor.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam said they are taking different initiatives related to moving towards a smart city.
Speaking as the chief guest, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam said Dhaka has been developed in an unplanned way because of which it has less than seven percent roads.
Among others, Dr Md Hossain Mansur and Md Abdus Sabur, chairman and member secretary of Science and Technology Affairs Sub-committee of Awami League, addressed the seminar.
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