What does it take to build a “smart city”?
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) defines a smart city as one that seamlessly integrates technology and innovation to create a more livable, prosperous, and sustainable urban environment, where citizens are empowered and engaged. To achieve this, an innovative transformation is necessary, blending technology and urban living to create a futuristic hub where innovation and community thrive.
Smart city solutions empower city planners with AI-driven insights to analyse traffic patterns and adjust public transportation routes in real time. Meanwhile, smart bins help waste-management companies to optimise collection schedules, ensuring efficient resource allocation and reducing operational costs. In the retail sector, businesses can harness AI to predict customer behaviour and tailor offerings – adjusting inventory levels dynamically based on real-time data so that popular products remain in stock while minimising waste.
Here’s why Singapore’s VC scene is betting big on early-stage sector specialists
Singapore leads the way
Singapore is widely recognized as the world’s smartest city and AI is quickening the pace of transformation. Through a joint initiative by the Government of Singapore and UNDP, Singapore is home to the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development which ensures the success and sustainability of smart city projects.
In 2023, the Singapore government launched the second version of their National AI Strategy, which was first unveiled in 2019, and the city-state has topped the International Monetary Fund’s AI Preparedness Index, based on its digital infrastructure, human capital, technological innovation and legal frameworks.
Singapore residents can now use facial and iris biometrics to clear immigration at Changi Airport, eliminating the need to produce their passports. The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) continues to advance its Smart Nation initiative, a comprehensive plan that includes digital identity, electronic payments, and high-speed internet access to enable the widespread adoption of digital services. These efforts underscore Singapore’s readiness to harness AI and digital solutions, setting a benchmark for other cities to follow.
How can other cities emulate Singapore?
To turn the vision of a Smart Nation into a reality, cities must begin by placing their residents at the core. This means actively listening to their needs, concerns, and aspirations and translating those insights to design and implement citizen-focused smart city initiatives that deliver a tangible impact. Effective AI-driven solutions depend on two key factors: a rich repository of historical data to build accurate models, and a steady stream of real-time data to fuel ongoing analysis and decision-making. Without this data backbone, even the most innovative technologies will struggle to deliver meaningful outcomes.
However, data alone is not enough. A reliable digital infrastructure must underpin these efforts. In cases where governments are unable to provide the necessary connectivity, organizations must deploy their own high-speed networks and digital backbones. For example, in Southern Africa, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity has been deployed to support mining operations, border posts, and logistics hubs in remote areas with limited infrastructure. These solutions have enabled reliable communication and operational continuity, even during energy crises or in regions with poor fixed-line connectivity. Such examples demonstrate how innovative technologies can bridge infrastructure gaps, ensuring connectivity and resilience in challenging environments.
Realizing these technological advances requires a comprehensive digitalization strategy that encompasses data management, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency. To fully harness AI’s potential, organizations and governments must first modernize and streamline manual processes. This foundational work paves the way for the seamless integration of AI solutions and the delivery of transformative benefits.
Moreover, leveraging AI effectively demands more than a basic understanding of the technology. While many business leaders see AI as a key driver for differentiation, efficiency, and profitability, its adoption can be hindered by challenges such as skill gaps, high implementation costs, and limited access to global expertise. In this context, partnering with established global technology providers, who understand these barriers, becomes essential for deploying effective smart-city solutions.
Why partnerships matter
Strategic partnerships empower governments and organizations to harness innovative AI solutions, vital funding, and specialized expertise, enabling the seamless integration of these technologies into urban development initiatives. By leveraging AI within smart city frameworks, governments can drive efficiency, enhance safety, and promote sustainability across various urban domains. This scalable innovation can transform public services, optimize resource allocation, and foster more secure, interconnected communities.
Integrating AI into urban infrastructure empowers cities to proactively address the evolving needs of their citizens. For instance, AI-driven energy grids can optimize power distribution, reduce waste, and seamlessly incorporate renewable energy sources, enhancing overall sustainability. AI-driven energy grids. Similarly, predictive analytics can bolster public safety by analyzing diverse data streams to anticipate potential risks, enabling authorities to allocate resources more effectively and respond swiftly to emerging threats. By embedding these advanced technologies into urban living initiatives, cities can foster long-term growth, resilience, and an improved quality of life for their residents.
Technology will not transform a city overnight.
By working with partners, governments can leverage proven approaches, scalable frameworks, and global best practices, streamlining their efforts and minimizing unnecessary expenditure. For example, experienced technology providers can help cities implement cutting-edge solutions in energy management, water and waste systems, sustainable mobility, and smart urban planning.
Cities can unlock the full potential of smart technologies with these strategic partnerships, accelerating deployment, and minimizing the financial and operational risks associated with innovation.
Real world impact
NTT DATA is among the global leaders helping cities transition into smart cities by integrating AI, data analytics, and automation into urban environments. For example, in Brownsville, Texas, NTT DATA is deploying Smart Solutions and Private 5G connectivity to enhance public services, increase safety, and drive sustainability. By leveraging real-time data analytics and AI, the city aims to optimise energy use, improve resource management, and support long-term growth with minimal environmental impact.
The City of Las Vegas is another prime example of how smart city solutions can transform urban living. By leveraging IoT devices, secure networks, and edge analytics, Las Vegas has crafted a safer, more connected, and intelligently planned urban landscape. One of the city’s key achievements is its smart traffic management system, which uses AI and machine learning to analyze traffic patterns and reduce driving incidents by over 90%. This has not only improved road safety but also saved the city over $1 million annually in resource costs.
Las Vegas has also implemented smart parks equipped with sensors that monitor occupancy, detect incidents, and provide real-time data to improve safety and optimize park services. These insights have enabled the city to make data-driven decisions, such as tailoring park amenities to the needs of specific communities. Additionally, the city has expanded its connectivity infrastructure, using private 5G networks to provide internet access to students and families in underserved areas. This initiative, which began during the pandemic, has connected over 1,000 households and continues to grow, demonstrating how smart city solutions can bridge digital divides and create equitable opportunities.
Sustainable development lies at the heart of smart cities, where intelligent urban environments drive environmental, economic, and social progress. As cities evolve, AI is transforming how we live and work by automating routine tasks in areas like transportation and healthcare, freeing humans to focus on value creation.
Without a doubt, advanced AI tools are streamlining processes, empowering workforces, and driving efficiency gains across industries. Organizations that adopt AI-driven solutions now will be best positioned to innovate, grow, and build a smarter, more sustainable future.
The article titled “Building the future: Smart Cities of Tomorrow” was contributed by Png Kim Meng, CEO, Singapore, NTT DATA
About the author
Png Kim Meng is currently the CEO of NTT DATA Singapore Inc. He is responsible for the company’s overall strategic development and Profit & Loss of NTT DATA Inc. With over 30 years of IT industry experience, Kim Meng has held several key management positions in the company including Head of Sales, Solutions and Services. Kim Meng holds a Master of Business Administration in Business from University of Hull, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.