What is Smart City?
There is not yet a universal definition of smart city. Some definitions put particular emphasis on leveraging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance the efficiency of a city’s systems, operations and services. We think that the definition of smart city should be wider. Apart from ICT, a smart city should also leverage human and social capital to facilitate the sustainable growth of society and increase quality of living. A smart city is a city leveraging people-centric and technology focused solutions to achieve the following objectives:- Increase efficiency of city operation and management
- Improve quality of life
- Strengthen economic competitiveness
Key Elements of a Smart City
Existing Kowloon East
Smart City Development in Kowloon East
KE consists of the former airport site – the Kai Tak Development area, the Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay Business Areas. Since the closing of the airport, the relocation of manufacturing industries to the Mainland and the rapid increase in demand for high grade office buildings, KE has been rapidly transforming. The Government advocates the transformation of KE into another core business district (CBD2) to support Hong Kong’s economic development by adopting a visionary, coordinated and integrated approach. Smart city development can play an important role in this process by offering innovative and sustainable urban development solutions.
Challenges and Constraints
Opportunities
CBD2
KE is transforming into another CBD for Hong Kong. Smart city initiatives can enhance its overall competitiveness by improving the mobility and walkability, environmental quality, infrastructure and experience of people living and working there.BLENDING OF OLD AND NEW
KE is an area with old and new buildings. It provides a platform to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing smart city initiatives in both new and existing communities. Smart city initiatives can improve the performance of old and new buildings.KAI TAK DEVELOPMENT AREA
Smart city initiatives can be planned at the earlier stage of development of Kai Tak Development Area, which would allow greater flexibility for trial implementation of various smart city solutions at different facilities.A TOURISM HUB
With the completion of the Cruise Terminal and the future Kai Tak Sports Park, the Kai Tak Development Area will become an important venue for hosting large-scale events. Local and overseas visitors can enjoy an enhanced experience with the aid of various smart city initiatives.CREATION OF SYNERGY
We have commenced various studies to improve the built and pedestrian environment in KE. Smart city initiatives can complement among these efforts, and foster more effective operation and synergy.RIDING ON ONGOING SMART CITY INITIATIVES
There are already a number of ongoing initiatives in KE which can contribute to developing a smart city. We will ride on these efforts to integrate with our proposed smart city initiatives to increase overall benefits.
Smart Kowloon East Framework
PROPOSED SMART CITY FRAMEWORK
The idea of our proposed framework is from our vision and understanding to the existing condition of KE. It comprises THREE layers:
The middle layer of the framework contains the aspects which smart city initiatives can improve: (i) Governance & Socio-economic Vibrancy; (ii) Resources Management & Urban Environment; and (iii) Mobility & Walkability, to make KE a better place to live, work and play.
The core of our framework places particular emphasis on people as foundation. By creating a platform promoting innovation, converging people for interaction and collaboration to foster development and implementation of various smart city initiatives.
The outer layer of the framework uses ICT as a tool to enhance the efficiency of smart city initiatives. It is the key enabling factor for implementing smart city initiatives for each strategic aspect.
INNOVATION-ORIENTED PLATFORM
An “innovation-oriented platform” plays a crucial role in driving the overall framework and realising our vision. We will receive ideas from the public and various stakeholders through the following four approaches.CO-CREATION
Collect views and suggestions from the public and other stakeholders to jointly create a win-win outcome.KNOWLEDGE-DRIVEN
Effectively leverage knowledge from local and overseas examples in various smart city solutions.CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION
Through the concerted efforts of the Government, corporates, professional institutes, universities and research institutes to realise our vision of smart city development for KE.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Comprehensive and interactive platform for dialogue exchange with the community and develop a people-centric smart city model for KE.
GOVERNANCE & SOCIO-ECONOMIC VIBRANCY
Continuous improvement of urban efficiency and management of public assets through innovative technologies can improve city resilience, promote social inclusion, and enhance socio-economic vibrancy.CITY RESILIENCE
KE can be adaptive to mega events, assemblies and adverse conditions with the use of ICT.IMPLEMENTATION MODELS
New implementation models will be devised to encourage various sectors to collaborate in smart city development.SOCIAL INCLUSION
We are committed to improving the area, such that people from all walks of life can enjoy a smart, sustainable and liveable place to work, live and explore freely.ASSET MANAGEMENT
Good asset management solutions can reduce the risk of asset failure, improve the efficiency of governance and enhance cost-effectiveness.
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT & URBAN ENVIRONMENT
Effective use of resources and a high-quality urban environment are part of the key attributes of a smart city. We strive to enhance the environment of KE with blue-green and resource-efficient infrastructure design so as to establisha healthy and sustainable neighbourhood.BLUE-GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Upgrade existing infrastructure to conserve the hydrological and ecological systems and improve the quality of the urban landscape.BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Environmental impacts of development, such as waste management, air and water pollution, can be alleviated with environmentally-friendly designs.RESOURCE-EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Increase the awareness of conserving energy and resource use, and to build resource-efficient infrastructure to reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption.HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Improve the urban environment o enhance the quality of life and creating inclusive, healthy and sustainable neighbourhood.
MOBILITY & WALKABILITY
Pedestrian and road traffic congestion in the built-up areas of KE is a common issue. Besides improving road traffic and enhancing pedestrian connectivity with the aid of intelligent systems, we also encourage the public to use various green transport modes to minimise carbon emission and relieve traffic congestion.ROAD TRAFFIC
Collect, analyse and disseminate real-time traffic information and manage kerbside activities to relieve road traffic congestion with the use of the latest technology.GREEN TRANSPORT NETWORK
Encourage the use of green transport modes by developing environmentally-friendly transport networks and related supporting facilities and services.PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY
Improve the pedestrian experience and promote a “Walkable KE” by building comprehensive pedestrian networks.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
ICT is indispensable for smart city development. It enables the linkage among multiple objects and devices with the use of data and network infrastructure, and supports the development and implementation of smart city initiatives under the three strategic aspects.WI-FI INFRASTRUCTURE
Extend the coverage area of free Wi-Fi services for people to receive and disseminate information anytime and anywhere.INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT)
Collect static/real-time data through different sensors, devices, communication networks and servers for conducting analyses and supporting planning and decision making processes.CENTRALISED DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Study the requirements necessary for setting up a platform for exchange of data (including spatial and non-spatial data) among government departments, the public and private sectors.OPEN DATA
Share data to the public to encourage innovations.
Advocacy Statement
Co-Create a SMART KOWLOON EAST
In the 2015 Policy Address, the Government announced that Kowloon East (KE) would be used as a pilot area to explore the feasibility of developing a Smart City.How to Participate?
Through this Advocacy Statement, we hope to encourage all sectors to co-create a Smart Kowloon East for people to work, live and play. All sectors can take this opportunity to participate and unleash the maximum potential benefits of smart city.- Enhance smart city services and facilities to echo with the KE vision
- Proactively share information and data through the mobile app developed for KE
- Participate in smart city initiatives and create synergy
Benefits from Developing Smart Kowloon East
- Improve Quality of Life
- Increase the Efficiency of City Operation and Management
- Strengthen Economic Competitiveness
- Enhance walkability
- Higher mobility and connectivity
- Build a more vibrant and socially inclusive community
- Efficient resource utilization
- Improve environmental quality
- Enrich people’s experiences
- Provide convenient and quality services
- Strengthen resilience
- Increase attractiveness for visitors
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Through the participation and concerted eff¬ort of all sectors involved, leveraging the knowledge, experience and synergy gained from collaboration, we strive to co-create a Smart Kowloon East that will bring benefits to all sectors.- Government
- General Public
- Information and Communications Technology Sector
- Logistics & Transport Sector
- Property Management Sector and Building Owners
- Public Utility Service Providers
- Universities and Research Institutes
Promoting smart city development needs joint effort from different sectors. Each sector can take this opportunity to participate and contribute to the development
Government
- Provide an ideal environment for universities and research institutes to develop high-tech technology and unleash creativity
- Promote KE as the test bed of smart city initiatives
- Provide a collaboration platform to facilitate interactions among industries
- Provide more data to promote creativity
General Public
- Download and use mobile apps developed for smart city, provide usage data to drive continuous development and mobilise information economy
- Echo with smart living like utilising data for choosing green transport services to reduce emissions
- Share comments on smart city solutions
Information and Communications Technology Sector
- Collaboration with universities, research institutes and the Government to promote wider application of technology developed for smart city
- Provide suitable and forward-looking ideas on communication network, cloud system, open data platform and network information security to prepare for the wide applications of Internet of Things
- Work in line with the Government to enhance the coverage and speed of outdoor wireless network
Logistics & Transport Sector
- Share delivery schedule with the industry through common data platform which helps to alleviate traffc congestion and improve delivery efficiency
- Set up smart logistic lockers at specific locations to provide a convenient service option for both the recipients and senders
Property Management Sector and Building Owners
- Adopt eco-friendly and resource-efficient green building facilities
- Install smart energy and water meters to conserve resource
- Open green roofs and green spaces to building tenants and the public
- Utilise suitable spaces for urban farming
- Share real-time parking vacancy information
Public Utility Service Providers
- Provide smart water, energy and gas meters to provide realtime consumption information to customers
- Share consumption data of various building types to facilitate research and development
- Increase clean energy ratio and use of distributed energy management system
Universities and Research Institutes
- Collaboration with industries and the Government to promote wider application of technology developed for smart city
- Proactively consider KE as the test bed of smart city initiatives
