Smart Cities are not just beautiful buildings, but are primarily about people.
Speaking at the African Smart Cities, Day 2 of the Big 5 Construct South Africa, organized by dmg Events, Musa Khumalo, Head of Shared Services, at the City of Tshwane, said smart cities are not about throwing technology at problems, but should create better lives for people.
He said a smart city needs multiple considerations, such as metro policies, spatial configuration, public participation in all processes.
It also needs regulatory, socio-economic considerations.
Mara-Zhanet Michelo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Jacaranda Hub, in Zambia, agreed with Khumalo, and said smart cities should not just be beautiful buildings, but a systemic way to amplify lives.
South Africa has three smart cities, including the Mooikloof Mega City, Aerotropolis and Lanseria.
Another panelist, Hendrik Malan, Partner and CEO of Frost & Sullivan, said both the Government and private sector need to integrate planning and resources to build smart cities in South Africa.
Picture from left to right: Joan Watetu, Mara Zhanelo Michelo, Lucy Njogu, Hendrik Malan and Musa Khumalo