HCM City’s steering committee for the smart city project hosted a meeting on Friday to approve a draft plan of the project, which aims to develop the southern metropolis into a smart city. — Photo honviettour.vn

HCM CITY – HCM City’s steering committee for the smart city project hosted a meeting on Friday to approve a draft plan of the project, which aims to develop the southern metropolis into a smart city.

Speaking at the meeting, Nguyễn Thành Phong, chairman of the People’s Committee and head of the project’s steering committee, said the city would collect the opinions of city authorities, experts, and its residents to issue a completed plan by the end of this year.

Under the plan, the project is expected to be carried out from 2017 to 2020.

It focuses on e-government, traffic, health, welfare, public security, water supply and drainage, environment, education, economy, agriculture and communications.

In addition, the city will launch minor projects such as a traffic control centre, electronic medical records system, smart electricity metres, and a security and traffic camera system.

According to Trần Vĩnh Tuyến, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee, building a smart city is necessary for the city’s development and potential.

The targets are to develop a sustainable city as well as improving the quality of life of its residents.

Nguyễn Việt Dũng, director of Department of Science and Technology, said local authorities should provide information and knowledge about the smart city for residents.

The work would help people understand what a smart city is, and encourage them to give their best ideas for the project.

According to Phong, the city has implemented seven “breakthrough missions,” including smart city development, to realise the resolutions of the 12th Party Congress and the 10th City Party Committee Congress.  

He emphasized that the city’s leaders should be united and determined to start the project. – VNS