Here’s another feather in Singapore’s cap: We are now officially the smartest city in the world.
Smartest City According to Whom?
This is according to an index published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), a Swiss business school, and the Singapore University of Technology. The Index measures “city smartness” based on “an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanisation.
In other words, the index ranks the “smartness of cities” based on how the city uses tech to strengthen the effects of modernisation (urbanisation) while minimizing its weaknesses.
The Citizens Speak Up
The survey findings came from polling 120 residents from each city about 2 pillars: physical structures, which refer to the city’s infrastructure, and technology, which refers to the technological services made available to the city’s residents.
Under each pillar, the survey also looked at health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. Each of these subcategories was then further broken down into smaller indicators.
Singapore did well in all categories, including public safety, lifelong learning opportunities provided by local institutions, having green spaces and having online access to job listings.
(Online access to job listings doesn’t mean jobs are any easier to get though, amiright?)
Chief Economist at IMD Business School’s Competitiveness Centre, Mr Christos Cabolis said “Singapore topped the ranking because, according to its citizens, it is performing superbly in providing high quality infrastructure in the areas we study, while at the same time adopting technologies in an efficient way to make the lives of the Singaporeans better.”
Of the 102 cities surveyed, Singapore is 1 of only 2 Asian cities that made it to top 10. Taipei is the other city at No. 7.
Singapore must be feeling like
The other top 10 cities include Zurich (No. 2), Oslo (No. 3), Geneva (No. 4), Copenhagen (No. 5), Auckland (No. 6), Helsinki (No. 8), Bilbao (No. 9) and Dusseldorf (No. 10).
The index also polled residents about the areas they thought were urgent and important for their city.
Singaporeans felt that affordable housing, fulfilling employment, unemployment and public transport were the most important issues.
Findings Can Help Singapore Improve Further
Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation & Digital Government), Mr Ng Chee Khern said that the index helps policymakers to look into specific areas that would be of most benefit to Singaporeans and businesses.
“Other indices focused mainly on experts’ opinions of how well technology is used, rather than on how citizens feel or do not feel that technology is benefitting them.
“For Singapore, our approach to building a Smart Nation has always been extremely citizen and business-focused to help make Singapore a better place to work, live and play.”
How It Affects Singaporeans
Well, for one thing, you’ll never know how it’s like in another country until you step out. Many of us Singaporeans tend to see the worst of Singapore until we realize that we’re not so bad after all, and could do a lot worse.
Make use of the facilities that are readily available to you. Download the Wireless@SG mobile app and your device will automatically connect to Wireless@SG whenever it’s available. Also, use Wireless@SG at all public libraries for free internet.
Pay your bills using AXS Machines or download the DBS PayLah app to conveniently pay your bills from the comfort of your own home or anywhere you are.
Use your $100 Sport Singapore credits to visit the gym, book badminton courts or Sport SG classes and facilities.
Download the Goody Feed app if you haven’t done so, and follow us on Instagram immediately, too.
There are many resources available if you do look out for them.
Singapore isn’t all bad, Singaporeans.
Watch this for a complete summary of what REALLY happened to Qoo10, and why it's like a K-drama:
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