KUALA LUMPUR: Future cities should be more than sleek and glitzy buildings as they must also serve humanity, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
In his keynote address at the two-day Future Cities Summit 2024 here yesterday, he said Malaysia is committed to achieving such future cities as proven by the allocation of RM15.1mil in the recent Budget 2025 for smart city development.
“The allocation is a 24 times increase compared to the previous year’s budget.
“Back in the day, whenever we thought about Future Cities, we imagined a city with futuristic technology and sleek, shiny architecture – like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. In actual fact, the concept of Future Cities is not new.
“It is not all about flashy gadgets and high-tech solutions using AI, Deep Learning, IOT or even robotics.
“The true power of future cities lies in their ability to transform the economics of urban living, which is a complex interplay of technology, policy and innovation,” he said.
According to Nga, cities like Zurich, Oslo, Canberra, Geneva and Singapore have already embraced smart city concepts.
“In Malaysia, it is also something that we have been working on over the last two years. In fact, Kuala Lumpur has climbed 16 spots in the Smart City Index this year to become the world’s 73rd smartest city, up from 89th spot last year.
“The report has highlighted several commendable performances of Kuala Lumpur, including access to make medical appointments and search for jobs online. However, more needs to be done,” he said, pointing out that things like smart traffic management and automated waste management system are among those being trialled at some Malaysian pilot smart cities.
“We already have Future Cities pilot projects in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kulim, Kota Kinabalu, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Melaka and Penang.
“In Kuala Lumpur, traffic congestion and affordable housing remain among the most concerning issues,” he said, adding that future cities here must address urban challenges, beyond mere technology upgrades.
“One good example of future cities technologies is smart traffic management systems that use real-time data to adjust traffic signals, thereby reducing congestion and travel times.
“Some of the smart traffic lights may also come with an emergency button, allowing the public or road users to make a distress call in case of emergencies.
“Another example is automated waste management systems that use sensors to monitor trash levels and optimise collection routes to reduce fuel consumption and labour costs, freeing up resources which can be used elsewhere,” said Nga.
He said that smart technology must be built side by side of an inclusive economy that benefits all, with humanity as priority.
“While smart technology may improve traffic flow or energy efficiency, it is also about fostering an inclusive economy – an economy that benefits everyone and puts humanity above all.
“From an economic perspective, a liveable city will attract residents and investors, bringing in new revenue streams. The influx of businesses and investments increases tax revenues and creates jobs, further boosting the local economy,” said Nga.
“We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with China to explore potential cooperation in smart housing and urban redevelopment, joining hands to address critical issues such as global climate change.
“In Putrajaya, we are establishing a strategic ‘twin cities’ cooperation with Shanghai to adopt their smart city management,” he said.
Future Cities Summit 2024, which runs from Oct 22 to 23, is held at MITEC Kuala Lumpur. The summit is an avenue for urban planners and developers, government officials and sustainability experts to gather and engage in insightful discussions about the development of sustainable and technologically advanced cities in Malaysia.
The summit, with the theme “Creating Livable Spaces”, is organised by Star Media Group, with strategic partner CIDB Malaysia. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives by experts and policy-makers on many topics, such as sustainable urban development, the role of emerging technologies, smart infrastructure and the integration of green spaces and biodiversity for a sustainable future.
