Science and tech highlighted as key factor in urban expansion

Science and technology will play a key role in urban management, particularly in the face of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, business insiders said at a forum last week.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift toward a new urban paradigm for inclusive and sustainable cities, Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, told a panel during the third UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit on Friday.

The role of technology has been crucial and digitization will remain a key component of a new normal, Kamal-Chaoui said.

Many cities have normalized the use of smart city tools, especially to deliver municipal services, she said.

"The use of digital tools has also helped cities address the tremendous shock that affected many economic sectors, including the culture and creative sectors," she said.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19, it is imperative for cities turn this crisis into an opportunity, she said, adding it is crucial to take advantage of smart city tools to advance inclusive economic growth and people's well-being.

Liu Hui, deputy director of the Beijing Science and Technology Commission, said cities are"testing ground" and "incubator" of technologies.

"Thanks to the large population and rich scenarios, cities promote technology development," Liu said. "Deeply integrating technologies help cities become better, smarter and more livable."

In June 2019, Beijing launched the construction of application scenarios. It has released three batches of 60 projects, focusing on major areas such as industrial upgrading, urban management and livelihood services.

"Application scenarios are opportunities for urban development, which provide platforms for technology enterprises to participate in urban development," Liu said.

With the integration of new-generation information technologies and urban modernization, technologies help promote sustainable development, Liu said.

The application scenarios also help to foster new forms of business in the digital economy, he added, and help to form a global open testing ground to share urban development opportunities. He encouraged small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in such opportunities.

Yuan Feng, vice-president of BOE Technology Group, said innovation is key to energizing a city's vitality.

Yuan shared BOE's ultra-high definition 8K display products applied to some cultural events such as online concerts and the digital Palace Museum. Technologies of 8K and 5G not only bring people fresh experiences but also upgrade cultural consumption, Yuan said.

"Urban life can be stressful," he said. "As an enterprise, it is our social responsibility to help build a sustainable city."

The company has also developed a series of smart solutions covering fields including transportation and retails.

"As an internet company dedicated to providing intelligent products and services, we will constantly contribute to constructing smart cities," Yuan said.

liangkaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn