Aug 23, 2023

HK’s Smart City Drive Gains Momentum Share via The PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and the International Society for Urban Informatics (ISUI) co-organised the Global Smart Cities Summit and the 3rd International Conference on Urban Informatics (GSCS & ICUI 2023). Hosted in Hong Kong, the event attracted over 500 participants worldwide, including more than 230 speakers who will share their expertise and research in the realms of urban informatics and smart cities. During the Opening Ceremony, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delivered the inaugural address. He expressed gratitude to PolyU for convening this biennial gathering, bringing together global experts, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors who are strong proponents of smart cities. He emphasised the anticipated enlightening insights that the distinguished speakers will provide throughout the conference. The President of PolyU underscored the institution’s strategic commitment to smart cities research, citing years of dedication to areas like smart city development, spatial big data analytics, remote sensing, and geomatics computing. He highlighted PolyU’s significant step in 2020 with the establishment of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute, situated within the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research, the Greater Bay Area’s largest research platform. PolyU’s mission-driven interdisciplinary research aimed at addressing societal challenges and fostering a sustainable future was emphasised. GSCS & ICUI 2023’s primary objective is to promote global smart city advancement and advances in urban informatics. This year’s conference received 300 abstract submissions from 21 countries and regions. Urban informatics, as an emerging interdisciplinary field, forms the bedrock of smart cities’ science and technology. Keynote addresses by leading international scientists, forums, and exhibitions showcasing technological innovations are included. It will serve as an exceptional platform for sharing information about cutting-edge technologies and innovations in smart cities and urban informatics. In addition to promoting collaboration between academia and industry and driving technological innovation, the aim si to also position Hong Kong as a pioneer in smart city development. During the Opening Ceremony, two significant announcements were made: the introduction of the new ISUI Smart City Index, jointly published by ISUI and SCRI, and the recognition of Outstanding Achievement Award winners in Urban Informatics. The ISUI Smart City Index is a groundbreaking tool for evaluating smart city progress, exclusively relying on publicly available data. With a focus on the impact of smart cities on citizens’ daily lives, the index allows cities to comprehensively assess and enhance their smart city development from a people-centric perspective. The Outstanding Achievement Award in Urban Informatics honours globally renowned scholars for their substantial contributions to the field of Urban Informatics. The GSCS & ICUI 2023 are closely linked to the initiatives and objectives of the HKSAR Government in several ways. The presence of the Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry of the HKSAR Government at the Opening Ceremony underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology within the region. His address signifies the government’s endorsement of events like GSCS & ICUI as platforms for promoting advancements in urban informatics and smart cities, which align with their I&T policies. The HKSAR Government has been actively promoting the development of smart cities within Hong Kong. Making an effort to discuss smart city technologies and urban informatics, is a reflection of the government’s smart city agenda. The participation of experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world further supports the government’s goal of positioning Hong Kong as a hub for smart city development.