In several countries, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged from the cities and spread to rural areas via periurban and transport corridors. In Southeast and South Asia, around 70 percent of all reported infections are in urban areas.

Further, cities consume much of the national electricity and account for more than 60 percent of global carbon emissions. National efforts to successfully limit global warming hinges on cities. As a result, the decisions made by the city mayors can have direct and immediate impact on the health of people and the planet – perhaps more than national or international policies.

Around the world, smart cities have already demonstrated how a pro-active, coordinated response to the pandemic yields immediate results in terms of containing the virus and laying the foundations for long-term resilience and sustainability. A “smart city” is often defined as an innovative city that uses information and communication (ICT) technologies and other means to improve quality of life, efficiency of urban operation and services, and competitiveness, while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations with respect to economic, social, and environmental aspects.

The ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN) has been a platform with 26 cities collaborating with the private sector to apply the use of technology across public infrastructures. The pandemic has brought about opportunities for smart cities worldwide to adopt an agile approach.

While evidence of sustained impacts of national policies on economic resilience during the pandemic remain elusive, the role of smart cities in pandemic response has been three-fold. First, smart cities have been actively deploying a glut of digital technological solutions and innovative bottom-up approaches to drive greater economic resilience. For example, in Singapore, the government has recognized the importance of speeding up national level digitalization.

Smart facility management, internet of things, and surveillance have become the symbols of smart nation as they create advanced, safe, and livable urban environments despite times of pandemic. These smart city solutions have also doubled as preventive efforts to curb the viral contagion.

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